ITKF

What is ITKF?

The International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) is the world governing body for Traditional Karate

Mission Statement(Objective)

The ITKF intends, by popularizing and developing Traditional Karate in the proper direction and by promoting and strengthening friendly relations among its member organizations and their members in all countries, to achieve the advancement of world sports and Budo spirit and thereby contribute to the perfection of human character.

The Mission of the ITKF is to protect the original Traditional Karate based on the foundation of Budo. Its goal is to maintain the concept of human development through Traditional Karate training.

Activities

The ITKF, in order to achieve the above-mentioned purposes, shall carry on the following activities:

• Hold the World Traditional Karate Championship and related activities.

• Hold the Traditional Karate World Cup.

• Hold and support regional tournaments, inter-country friendship tournaments and other related events.

• Establish, conduct and supervise various rules and regulations for Traditional Karate competition.

• Establish, conduct and supervise various standards pertaining to the techniques of Traditional Karate.

• Establish, conduct and supervise various standards pertaining to the qualifications of instructors and judges.

• Establish, conduct and supervise various standards pertaining to the athlete’s status.

• Hold and support lectures and seminars pertaining to Traditional Karate.

• Establish various educational and research institutions for the development of Traditional Karate.

• Publish & distribute official publications related to activities of the organization & Traditional Karate in general.

• Exchange information to provide useful material for member organizations.

• Carry out other activities necessary for achieving the aims of the organization.

Organization

The ITKF is composed of Traditional Karate national federations from each member country. Each member national federation is the governing body for Traditional Karate in its respective country. Each member national federation, under ITKF rules and regulations, controls Traditional Karate activities in its country and has the right to send representatives to participate in ITKF official events.

ITKF national federations are organized into continental or regional organizations, conducting continental or regional championships, seminars and other events in the following:

• Asia/Oceania
• Africa
• Europe
• Pan American

ITKF meetings are as follows:

General Meeting

• This is the highest decision making body of the ITKF and is composed of all ITKF official national federation representatives.

Board of Directors Meeting

• The Board of Directors makes the decisions on details and execution of matters from the General Meeting.

Special Committees

• ITKF Board of Directors assigns a administrators for special committees and technical committees. Each committee’s administrator carries out decisions by the Board of Directors.

Technical Committee

• The Technical Committee is made up of technical sub-committees; each sub-committee carries out duties for a specific area.

Technical Qualifications

Dan Ranking

ITKF officially recognizes Eligible Style Organization (ESO) rankings which have standards that match ITKF technical standards. ITKF recognizes each ESO ranking as an official rank.

Ranking Examiner

ITKF recognizes Ranking Examiners who have completed the necessary ITKF course and examination as well as each respective style organization’s recommended examiners. Examiners are ranked as Class A, B or C.

Judge

ITKF qualified judges serve at all official ITKF competitions. Judges must complete the required course and successfully pass the examination. There are two categories for Judges: Kumite and Kata. Each category has three classes: A, B or C.

Certified Coach

ITKF issues certificates for Certified Coaches, which require completion of the necessary course and examination.

Certified Instructor

ITKF issues certificates for Certified Instructors, which require completion of the necessary training course.

What is Traditional Karate?

In the late 1950s, worldwide interest in Karateprompted many countries to invite instructors from Japan. Since there were a limited number of available Japanese instructors, many areas of the world developed their own forms of "new" karate.
In the public mind, original karate as practiced in Japan became known as Traditional Karate while the variations later developed in different parts of the world became known as new karate.
Traditional Karate, as an art of self-defense, evolved in Japan over many years. Its technical base is founded on the Okinawan principle of "Tode", which itself is based an "Chonfa", the fighting art of China, a weaponless form of self-defense. Its philosophical base is Japanese "Budo" which is common to many Japanese martial arts. The combination of Okinawan fighting forms and Japanese Budo philosophy eventually became Traditional Karate. Central to the technical structure of Traditional Karate is the concept of "Todome-waza" or finishing blow whereby a single technique totally disables an opponent. This high technical proficiency makes Traditional Karate a form of high art.
Since Traditional Karate training involves the dynamic use af the total body, the physical benefits are of the highest quality. While Traditional Karate strives to develop the whole person, it also benefits the mental and emotional states, providing for overall equilibrium and stability of emotions. The ultimate goal of training in Traditional Karate is not merely the perfection of fighting skills, but rather the total development of the human character where fighting is no longer necessary.
In 1993, the 101st IOC Session (General Meeting) specified that Traditional Karate is the discipline which is practiced by the ITKF and governed by its rules. At this time "Traditional Karate" was differentiated from other "karate" disciplines. Therefore, that form of karate which is practiced and governed by the rules and regulations of the ITKF is the only officially recognized "Traditional Karate" much the same way that IOC recognized swimming as practiced under international swimming rules is distinguished from general forms of swimming.
ITKF Competition Rules are based on the "Shiai" of "Budo". Shiai directly translates to "testing each other" which means that the purpose of two individuals competing against each other is to mutually develop their skills and not merely to see who defeats the other. Mutual Respect for each other is a fundamental principle of such Traditional Karate competitions. Technical development is gained through continuous Dojo (martial arts gym) training in "Traditional Karate" fundamentals which are then incorporated into competition. The categories of "Traditional Karate" competitions are as follows:

• RKumite (Free Sparring)
• Men's and Women's Individual and Men's Team
• Kata (Forms)
• Men's and Women's Individual and Team
• En-bu
• (Offense - Defense Technique Demonstration) Man/Woman & Man/Man
• Fuku-go
• (Composed of Kumite & Kata) Men's & Women's