The NYC Karatedō Championship has offered divisions for kids from the beginning of its inception, but in the past few years the number of divisions has grown to encompass a wide selection of age ranges, ranks, and skills.
There are four divisions for kids:
- Juniors
- Youth
- Teens
- Mentor
Here's a brief summary of all the kids divisions, and the events offered in those divisions:
Juniors
Boys and Girls
Ages 4-8
Juniors are boys and girls that are ages 4 through 7. Some eight year olds are also permitted in this division, based on maturity and rank.
This division has one event: kata.
Scoring for this event is unique, compared to other kata events at the tournament. The same system and scoring standards are used for Juniors Kata. There are multiple rounds, and one medal winner is awarded per round to the highest-scoring competitor.
However, unlike other events, the final scores are evaluated by the judging panel, the event referee(s), and the Tournament Director and his staff. In consultation, trophies in a number of specific categories ("best demonstration of knowledge", "best stances", "best technique [kihon]") are awarded.
Youth
Boys and Girls
Ages 8-11
Youth are boys and girls that are ages 8 through 11. Some seven year olds are also permitted in this division, based on maturity and rank, as well as twelve year olds. As always, placement is at the discretion of the Tournament Director and his staff.
This division has two events: kata and kumite.
Scoring for all the events in this division follow the same system and scoring standards that are used for all events. The specific rules for kata and kumite, as they pertain to kids, are the standard enforced by officials.
One medal is awarded per round to the top scoring competitor, and an overall winner is determined at the end of the event.
Teens
Boys and Girls
Ages 11-17
Teens are boys and girls that are ages 11 through 17. Some ten year olds are also permitted in this division, based on maturity and rank. Absolutely no 18 year olds are permitted in this division. Any competitor who is 18 years of age at any time during the month in which there tournament is held must compete in the Adult divisions.
As always, placement is at the discretion of the Tournament Director and his staff.
This division has three events: kata, kumite, and tameshiwari. (In future years, a Teens Division in karatedō will be added.)
Scoring for all the events in this division follow the same system and scoring standards that are used for all events. The specific rules for kata, tameshiwari, and kumite, as they pertain to Teens, are the standard enforced by officials.
One medal is awarded per round to the top scoring competitor, and an overall winner is determined at the end of the event.
Note that boards used in Teens tameshiwari are not the same boards used in the Adults tameshiwari events. For more information, please consult the Tameshiwari official rules.
Mentor
Boys and Girls
Ages 8-18
Mentor kids are boys and girls that are ages 8 through 18. These kids need extra help in communicating and in training in karatedō – and the tournament is so proud of all the kids who work hard to navigate those challenges and still do the very same karatedō that everyone else does.
As always, placement is at the discretion of the Tournament Director and his staff.
This division has two events: kata and tameshiwari.
Scoring for all the events in this division follow the same system and scoring standards that are used for all events. The specific rules for kata and tameshiwari as they pertain to the Mentor Division, are the standard enforced by officials.
One medal is awarded per round to the top scoring competitor, and overall winners are determined at the end of the event.
Note that boards used in the Mentor Division are the exact same boards used in the Teens Division. For more information, please consult the Tameshiwari official rules.
