In a few days, the best kata specialists will gather together in Olbia (Sardinia, Italy) for the Kata World Championships, you will find hereafter some useful information about kata and the work of the kata commission.

The "Kata / Judo Commission", which is part of the IJF Education sector, chaired by Mr Mohamed Meridja (ALG), is working for the "Kata World Championships" scheduled in Olbia - Sardinia - (6/7 October).

The agonistic side of the kata must be considered the trampoline for a more direct knowledge of what the word 'kata' means.

This news article, the first of a long series, which will be released during the Olbia World Championships, must be considered a constructive dialectical tool to make the kata known, not as a mere technical-physical exercise, but as an additional tool for clubs.

What is the aim of the "Kata/Judo Commission" in addition to competition? "Judo is not just sport" and therefore the concepts expressed by the founder Professor Jigoro Kano (1860/1938) have to be expanded: and retrace the "3 cultures of judo" which are:

* Rentai Ho: the Sport (as JUDO is meant today)
* Shobu Ho: the fighting as meant in its most cruel reality
* Sushin Ho: the moral and spiritual growth that bring Judo to the ultimate goal

The "Commission" kata is composed:
Chairman: Mr Franco Capelletti (ITA)

Members
Mr Cataldo D'Arcangelo (ITA)
Mr Daniel De Angelis (CAN)
Mr Envic Galea (MLT)
Mr Hirofumi Otsuji (JPN)
Mr Michel Huet (FRA)
Mr Michel Kozlowski (BEL)
Mr Piero Comino (ITA)

(Supervisor of the website Giacomo Spartaco Bertoletti)

The main event organized by the Kata commission is the World Championships in Olbia where the meeting of the commission will be held on Wednesday 4 October. Several topics will be discussed during the meeting such as tasks of the Commission, Organic rules in place at the Olbia World Championships and new proposals. Refereeing concept, integration of new katas.

The IJF Kata mission in the world
The IJF has launched a development program to promote and assist federations with their judo technical background. This program is based on Randori and its sporting interpretation in competitions and on Kata.

In its tradition, the progress in Judo can be achieved through the practice of Randori (free practice), Kata (form), Mondo (questions and answers) and Kogi (lectures). All should contribute to increase the sporting efficiency in competition. Thanks to the technical studying, and through the cultural learning process, the ultimate goal is to achieve EDUCATION.

The IJF, thanks to the IJF Academy and kata experts, is available to federations for an adequate assistance to promote the study of Kata, which has already been appreciated by over 70 countries that are part of the 5 continents: Africa, Asia, Europe , Pan America, Oceania.

The IJF Academy provides support in Nage No Kata and Katame No Kata, while IJF experts cover all the Kodokan judo Kata, according to the requests of the National Federations.

For information, editorial material contact: Giacomo Spartaco Bertoletti tel +39 335 22 09 54, [email protected]

See also