Nation ready for new karate rules

National karate team members will be provided with body protection in domestic and international competitions from next year following changes to the rules by the World Karate Federation (WKF).

New rules will be applied in karate’s kumite events while athletes are given sportswear and protective clothing to make sure matches are safer

Head of the karate section under the National Sports Administration Vu Son Ha said the national team would be fully equipped with sportswear and protective clothing in preparation for international events to meet the WKF’s new kumite rules, which officially come into effect worldwide on January and are of compulsory application by all national federations as defined in WKF statutes.

The WKF also issued regulations on sportswear and accredited producers in worldwide tournaments.

Ha said the four judges and scoring systems in the new rules were the most important factors which would help make kumite matches more positive.

“Instead of three judges and one referee, each kumite match be played under the supervision of four judges plus one referee. It means that the referee will not take full power in awarding points or penalties to the athletes himself,” Ha said.

Points and penalties will be established on the basis of a minimum of two judges, while the referee only has a vote in instances requiring a tie-break if two judges hold an opposing opinion to the two other judges.

The new rules also said judges are able to indicate or exercise a score or penalty before the referee stops the bout.

The referee has the ability to stop the bout before the judges indicate, but will await the options of the judges before announcing any points.

Ha added the change would reduce the referee’s partiality during a bout.

“All members of the national team are ready for the new rules. Vietnamese artists will soon acquaint themselves with the changes as we have known about them since last year,” said team coach Le Cong.

The National Sports Administration’s karate section will invite the Asian Karate Federation’s Lim Chee Jin to hold a training course on the new rules in HCM City from February 26-28 before they are applied at the national championships in late of May.

Vietnam has 250 karate referees, 15 of whom are internationally accredited.ư

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