I've noticed that there are certain kata that are never done in tournaments; they just don't seem to win. Not that they're bad kata; just apparently judges don't care for them.
The Isshin-Ryu kata that I know of that seem to win in underbelt classes are Chinto and Seuinchin. For novices, Seisan is popular.
What kata or forms in your style are considered 'winning' katas for tournaments?
With regard to weapons kata, I am not qualified to any yet, but I notice that most of the Isshin-Ryu competitors I've seen do Tokimine No Kun (Bo kata). Over and over again. You'd think it was the only kata out there. The few times I've seen any kind of Sai kata, such as Kusanku Sai, it usually wins, even if not done with complete mastery. Makes me think if I decide to do weapons kata in tournament, I'd be better served learning a good Sai kata than a Bo kata. We don't do Nunchaku or Kamai (and we have only one Tuifa (Tonfa) kata, but I don't see many of them, and the few I've seen haven't won.
How about you?
What are your thoughts? What empty-hand and weapons kata often win? Any idea why?
The Isshin-Ryu kata that I know of that seem to win in underbelt classes are Chinto and Seuinchin. For novices, Seisan is popular.
What kata or forms in your style are considered 'winning' katas for tournaments?
With regard to weapons kata, I am not qualified to any yet, but I notice that most of the Isshin-Ryu competitors I've seen do Tokimine No Kun (Bo kata). Over and over again. You'd think it was the only kata out there. The few times I've seen any kind of Sai kata, such as Kusanku Sai, it usually wins, even if not done with complete mastery. Makes me think if I decide to do weapons kata in tournament, I'd be better served learning a good Sai kata than a Bo kata. We don't do Nunchaku or Kamai (and we have only one Tuifa (Tonfa) kata, but I don't see many of them, and the few I've seen haven't won.
How about you?
What are your thoughts? What empty-hand and weapons kata often win? Any idea why?