“The K is on the way - 2020” is a frequently-heard ‘battle
cry’ these days. This is part of the
campaign to convince the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include
Karate as an Olympic sport in the 2020 Games.
While I applaud the effort and truly hope that Karate makes it to the
Olympics on this, the third time it tries for inclusion, I sadly predict: it
ain’t gonna happen.
I’ve always been good with concepts and terrible with
facts, so I can’t really give much more than my opinion. The story of Karate’s attempts at Olympic
inclusion can be found on the internet, so I’ll just rough it out here. ‘Karate’ is a generic term for many different
Japanese and Okinawan styles with many, many associations. Different organizations wanted to be in charge of the bid
for Olympic status. The general feeling
was, “Everyone, come under my banner”.
Of course, everyone else said to come join them under their banners. As a result, nothing got
accomplished. Tae Kwon Do (an equally
generic term for many Korean styles) got their act together under the World
Taekwondo Federation (WTF) and was introduced as a demonstration sport in 1988
and 1992. It became a full-medal sport
at the 2000 Games. The Olympics only
have ‘kyorugi’ (sparring), and not ‘poomse’ (forms). Our kumite is almost the same as Korean
kyorugi: blocks, punches, and kicks. We
both wear foam sparring gear and score on the same target areas. As it now stands, there is absolutely no need
for the IOC to let Karate into the Olympics.
Nothing to get upset about – Tae Kwon Do simply beat us to the punch
(pun intended).
The solution is simple, but karateka seem to be too proud to
do it: compete in Tae Kwon Do events.
Sparring is sparring. Qualify for
Olympic Tae Kwon Do competition. It’s as
simple as that. Ah, but suppose someday
they allow forms into Olympic competition?
This answer is just as simple, but again, karateka don’t want to do
it. Learn WTF-approved forms. But … but … they’re KO-RE-AN, not
Japanese!!! Big deal. Many karateka are already doing it, just not
admitting to it. The World Karate
Federation (WKF) is the international governing body of Olympic Karate; the United
States National Karate Federation (USANKF) is the US national governing body. Many of my Shotokan kin
compete with Goju Ryu kata, or change their Shotokan kata to conform to WKF/USANKF
standards. It seems the unwritten goal
of international competition is to eliminate different styles and homogenize all of Karate, rather than acknowledge their differences. I’ve spoken to more than one sensei who tells
their students, “This is how you do kata in tournament, but if you do it this
way on your test, you fail.”
Students/competitors just blindly accept it. They don’t think to question, “Why are you
teaching me kata two different ways?
Especially if each way is considered 'wrong' by the other’s standards. What a crock!”
UPDATE - MAY 30, 2013: After
a presentation before the IOC yesterday, the decision was immediately reached not to include Karate in the shortlist of sports candidates
that will travel to Buenos
Aires in September
for the final decision of the IOC Session.
UPDATE - AUGUST 3, 2016: It was announced today that Karate will be included in the 2020 Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo, Japan. I don't mind being wrong since this will only help the Karate world.
