October 2025 Tournament Info
Date: October 25th, 2025
Time: 9:00am-1:30pm
Location: High Chaparral Room (Spanish Fork Fairgrounds)
Registration: Click Here to Register!
Time: 9:00am-1:30pm
Location: High Chaparral Room (Spanish Fork Fairgrounds)
Registration: Click Here to Register!
Age/Rank Categories
All divisions are divided into the following age/rank categories unless otherwise stated. Should any division contain less than three or more than eight competitors, they may be divided or merged with other divisions at the discretion of the facilitator:
Note: In all divisions, competitors are expected to remain within the competition area. Stepping out of bounds may result in a warning, deduction of points, or (if it becomes hazardous to spectators, judges, or other competitors) disqualification.
- Ages 6-10 Beginners (White-Orange)
- Ages 6-10 Intermediate (Green-Purple)
- Ages 11-17 Beginners (White-Orange)
- Ages 11-17 Intermediate (Green-Purple)
- Ages 12-17 Advanced (Red-Gray)
- Ages 14-17 Black Belt
- Ages 18+ Beginners (White-Orange)
- Ages 18+ Intermediate (Green-Purple)
- Ages 18+ Advanced (Red-Gray)
- Ages 18+ Black Belt
Note: In all divisions, competitors are expected to remain within the competition area. Stepping out of bounds may result in a warning, deduction of points, or (if it becomes hazardous to spectators, judges, or other competitors) disqualification.
Division Descriptions
Kata (Traditional Form)
A Base Division. Everybody who signs up for the tournament will compete with a traditional ShouKenDou Kata of their choosing. Points are awarded on presentation, confidence, and execution of techniques.
Point Kumite (Sparring)
A Base Division. Everybody who signs up for the tournament will compete in point sparring. Bouts are to 5 points. All techniques are expected to be delivered with proper control. Proper safety equipment is required, including: headgear, gloves, footwear, and a mouthguard.
- Kidneys are the only valid target on the back.
- The only valid target above the shoulders is the side of the head. Kicks to the head are worth two points.
- Black Belts are allowed to score points with controlled hits to the face.
- No hits below the belt (with the exception of sweeps for competitors purple belt and above).
Kobudo (Traditional Weapons)
Optional division. Competitors will compete against each other by performing traditional weapon/kobudo forms found in the ShouKenDou curriculum. Points are awarded on presentation, confidence, execution of techniques, and handling of weapon. A dropped weapon is an automatic disqualification.
Creative Division
Optional division. Competitors will perform a creative kata/form for the judges. Use of music, weapons, and other props is permitted. (Some competitors may wish to intentionally “drop” their weapons in this category. That is fine, so long as it is controlled and communicated to the judges beforehand so they know not to dock points.) All weapons and music must be supplied by the competitor. Points are awarded on creativity, presentation, confidence, execution of techniques, synchronization to music, and handling of weapons (as applicable).
Belt Sparring (Ages 6-10 only)
Optional division. Competitors will wear a “flag” secured on their backs beneath their belts. Winner is the person who removes the flag from their opponent first. No grappling, striking, kicking, or shoving permitted. Competitors exiting the bounds of the competition space receive one warning and then automatic loss. No adjusting your own flag once the match has begun.
Continuous Kumite (Ages 11+ only)
Optional division. Competitors will face one another in two (2) bouts lasting 60 seconds each. At the end of each bout, judges give each competitor a score ranging from 1-5. Scores are based on successful strikes and kicks, following the same rules as traditional kumite. After both bouts, scores are tallied up to determine a winner. In case of a tie, a third bout of 30 seconds with an odd number of judges will decide who wins.
Defenses (Ages 6-10 only)
Optional division. Competitors will perform one defense of their choice. First, they will perform the defense slowly while describing the bunkai (or practical application) to the judges. Then, they will perform the defense at speed. Points are awarded on presentation, confidence, and execution of techniques.
The Black Belt Perspective: why compete?
Over my 20+ years of martial arts, I’ve heard many martial artists question whether or not they should compete. I’ve also known plenty of students who ask why we require tournament experience for certain ranks. I want to address those inquiries.
1. Tournaments are a chance to pressure-test our skills against determined opponents.
We’re here to do many things, and one of those things is self-defense. Tournaments–particularly the sparring/kumite divisions–give us the opportunity to pressure test the moves we’ve been learning against similarly skilled opponents in a safe environment. Nothing will teach you to keep your hands up like losing three points in one match because an opponent kept hitting that hammerfist. Sparring in a tournament setting is also fairly scary for most of our students. Learning to keep a cool head and use the tools you’ve learned is invaluable if you ever need to actually defend yourself. The more tournaments you do, the less intimidating it is to take a hit, and that translates to real life as well.
2. Tournaments provide a chance to demonstrate control and sportsmanship, especially in the face of failure and loss.
It is supremely important for our students, especially our younger students, to learn how to confront–and even embrace–opportunities to fail and lose. Failure is not a weakness; it is an opportunity. One of the best gifts I can give my students is the gift of being able to lose and fail with grace, sportsmanship, and decorum.
3. Tournaments give you an extra incentive to make the most of every training session.
Tournaments are often a fantastic motivator, especially for some of our students who aren’t motivated by progressing through the ranks. Students preparing for a tournament tend to “lock in,” honing their skills with greater intensity and purpose. Evaluations and belt promotions are largely focused on being “good enough” for your next rank. Tournaments demand you be the best you can be.
Tournaments will always hold an important place in our curriculum and at our dojo. Healthy competition with excellent sportsmanship helps all of our students improve. I personally put my money where my mouth is, competing several times per year (most often nowadays as a White Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu). We encourage everybody to keep that in mind as we begin to prepare all of our students (ages 6+) for our upcoming tournament.
1. Tournaments are a chance to pressure-test our skills against determined opponents.
We’re here to do many things, and one of those things is self-defense. Tournaments–particularly the sparring/kumite divisions–give us the opportunity to pressure test the moves we’ve been learning against similarly skilled opponents in a safe environment. Nothing will teach you to keep your hands up like losing three points in one match because an opponent kept hitting that hammerfist. Sparring in a tournament setting is also fairly scary for most of our students. Learning to keep a cool head and use the tools you’ve learned is invaluable if you ever need to actually defend yourself. The more tournaments you do, the less intimidating it is to take a hit, and that translates to real life as well.
2. Tournaments provide a chance to demonstrate control and sportsmanship, especially in the face of failure and loss.
It is supremely important for our students, especially our younger students, to learn how to confront–and even embrace–opportunities to fail and lose. Failure is not a weakness; it is an opportunity. One of the best gifts I can give my students is the gift of being able to lose and fail with grace, sportsmanship, and decorum.
3. Tournaments give you an extra incentive to make the most of every training session.
Tournaments are often a fantastic motivator, especially for some of our students who aren’t motivated by progressing through the ranks. Students preparing for a tournament tend to “lock in,” honing their skills with greater intensity and purpose. Evaluations and belt promotions are largely focused on being “good enough” for your next rank. Tournaments demand you be the best you can be.
Tournaments will always hold an important place in our curriculum and at our dojo. Healthy competition with excellent sportsmanship helps all of our students improve. I personally put my money where my mouth is, competing several times per year (most often nowadays as a White Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu). We encourage everybody to keep that in mind as we begin to prepare all of our students (ages 6+) for our upcoming tournament.