Journal of Physical Education and Sport ® (JPES), Vol. 24 (issue 8), Art 206, pp. 1860 - 1867, August 2024
online ISSN: 2247 - 806X; p-ISSN: 2247 – 8051; ISSN - L = 2247 - 8051 © JPES

Original Article
Assessing rule understanding and consistency among WUKF karate coaches,
instructors, and referees in kata competitions
DRAGOŞ DĂNCESCU1, VLAD IORGA2
1,2
Doctoral School of Sport Science and Physical Education, National University of Science and Technology
POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Pitesti University Centre, ROMANIA
Published online: August 31, 2024
Accepted for publication : August 15, 2024
DOI:10.7752/jpes.2024.08206
Abstract:
Problem statement: Assessing kata performance in karate competitions, especially in the World Union of
Karate-Do Federations (WUKF), is influenced by the subjective interpretation of criteria such as "strength,""speed," "rhythm," and "kime." This subjectivity can lead to scoring inconsistencies and disputes amongreferees, coaches, and athletes. Approach: To address this issue, a qualitative study was performed involving 40
WUKF karate coaches, instructors, and referees. The study used questionnaires to gather insights into theirperspectives on the current judging criteria, their understanding and application of these criteria, and potential
areas for improvement. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the consistency of referee perceptions
regarding kata evaluation criteria and to explore ways to enhance objectivity and reduce subjectivity in katacompetitions. Results: The findings indicate a lack of standardized interpretation of WUKF judging criteria,
particularly for concepts such as "control of energy," "understanding the movement of kata," and "spirit." Whilemost respondents expressed satisfaction with the current scoring system, a considerable number also advocatedfor refinements to improve objectivity. The study also revealed diverse opinions on the potential implementationof video review in kata competitions and the feasibility of ranking katas based on their difficulty. Conclusions:
The study concludes that although the current WUKF judging system is generally well-received, there is a clear
need in the karate community for greater clarity and objectivity in kata evaluation. The findings suggest several
potential areas for improvement, including the development of more precise criteria definitions, theincorporation of objective measures where feasible, and the strategic use of technology to assist referees in theirevaluations. This research adds to the ongoing discussion on refining judging practices in karate katacompetitions, aiming to balance tradition with the pursuit of fairness and objectivity.
Keywords: criteria, evaluation, objectivity, standardization, judging
Introduction
Karate, a martial art with a rich history and tradition, has evolved into a globally recognized sport withvarious competitive aspects (Iorga et al., 2024). Recent studies have demonstrated the positive impact of karate
training on the physical and psychological development of children (Rutkowski et al., 2019; Stamenkovic et al.,2022; Potoczny et al., 2022) and on the physical fitness of young adults. An important element of karate
competitions is the kata1, a structured sequence of techniques, stances, and movements that incorporate strength,
body contraction and expansion, varying execution speeds, and the concept of "Enbusen," which refers to theline of movement and the starting point of the kata (Dăncescu, 2021, p. 86). Recently, there has been increasing
interest in reducing subjectivity in sports arbitration, such as incorporating video evidence for real-time point
verification. This trend is evident across various sports, including fencing (Federation Internationale d'Escrime,
2021, pp. 18-20), taekwondo (World Taekwondo [WT], 2018, pp. 49-51), and the karate organization (Carlsson
et al., 2020; World Karate Federation [WKF], 2018, Appendix 11), which represented karate at the Tokyo 2020
Olympics (Baginska et al., 2022; Souza, 2019).
In sports such as taekwondo, video replay has been effectively implemented to review and potentiallyoverturn scoring decisions (World Taekwondo, 2018, p. 49). While the use of video analysis in karate katacompetitions is still being explored, its potential to enhance judging objectivity is a promising area for future
research (Emad et al., 2020; Lygouras & Tsinakos, 2024).
However, in kata-style competitions, the benefit of video analysis in reducing subjectivity is not
immediately clear. The sequence of moves is already known to the referees, and unlike a point scored in afighting competition, which may be missed owing to angle or timing, there is no element of surprise in a kataperformance that would require video review.
1

A Japanese term frequently used in martial arts. Kata refers to a detailed, choreographed sequence of movements. Kata are used toteach and practice techniques, preserve the art's history, and demonstrate skill and understanding of these techniques. They can be
performed in competitive settings, where the emphasis is primarily on the athletic ability demonstrated during the execution of the kata.

1860---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Corresponding Author: DRAGOŞ DĂNCESCU, E-mail: dancescu.dragos@mail.com

DRAGOŞ DĂNCESCU, VLAD IORGA--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Therefore, alternative methods are needed to reduce subjectivity, relying primarily on the referees'
expertise, with video analysis serving only as a supplementary tool. A key indicator of subjectivity in thiscontext is the persistent lack of agreement among referees. If the criteria were fully objective, one would expect
general agreement on scores in most kata competitions; however, this is often not the case. This inconsistency is
the main reason for using multiple referees. A crucial investigation to help reduce subjectivity involves
determining the extent to which referees agree on scoring criteria and their understanding of kata. To address
this issue, we distributed questionnaires to 40 coaches, instructors, and referees affiliated with the Romanianbranch of the World Union of Karate-Do Federations (WUKF). We revisit the essential components of the
WUKF rating system (Federația Română de Karate WUKF, 2017)2. The arbitration regulations of the Romanian
Karate Federation WUKF closely mirror those of the international WUKF organization. These regulations
stipulate that in each round of a kata competition, performances are not merely classified as good or bad but areassessed based on key elements of judgment according to two criteria: basic execution and advanced execution.
Basic execution consists of the following elements (Federația Română de Karate WUKF, 2017, pp. 42-43):a) sequence of movements in the kata;b) control of energy;c) control of tension and contraction;d) control of speed and rhythm;e) direction of movements;f) understanding of the kata technique;g) demonstration of the appropriate understanding of the kata's bunkai3;h) coordination;i) stability and balance;j) pauses;k) kiai4;l) breathing,m) concentration;n) spirit;o) mastery of technique execution;p) budō5 attitude.
When evaluating the advanced execution of the kata, referees consider specific key aspects, the degreeof difficulty, and the risk involved in each performed kata (with the term "risk" being open to interpretation; seethe "Results" section for clarification based on questionnaire responses).
In terms of penalties for kata execution, points will be deducted as follows (Federația Română deKarate WUKF, 2017, p. 43):a) a momentary hesitation in the fluid execution of a kata, quickly remedied: −0.1 pts;b) a momentary but visible stop: −0.2 pts;c) a slight momentary imbalance, quickly remedied: −0.1 to −0.2 pts;d) for lack of kiai: −0.1 pts.
In the kata event, competitors are evaluated by five referees based on elements of basic and advanced
execution. Depending on the round, scores range from 5.0 to 6.9, 6.0 to 7.9, or 7.0 to 8.9. The highest and lowest
scores are discarded, and the final score is calculated as the sum of the remaining three. Typically, kataregulations across various Karate federations and organizations do not provide detailed explanations of thesecriteria, leaving their interpretation and application to the referee's experience and discretion (including an
understanding of kata technique, rhythm, bunkai, spirit, budō attitude, etc.). The downside of this approach isthat without clear descriptions, these criteria can lead to overly subjective arbitration.
Although our analysis focuses on the WUKF system, our findings are broadly applicable because theevaluation criteria used by the World Karate Federation (WKF), the largest organization of its kind, are similarlyvague and lack detailed explanations (World Karate Federation [WKF], 2018). This forces referees to rely on
their knowledge and experience gained over years in martial arts to assess elements such as "strength," "speed,""timing," and "kime6." The lack of clarity in these criteria is a disadvantage for objective refereeing because itleads to varying interpretations among the referees in each jury.
2

3

4

5
6

The 2017 regulations were referenced in this study, but they have since been superseded by the 2023 version, which is now the current
standard. The 2017 version is no longer accessible online. For the purposes of this study, no significant differences have been identified
between the 2017 and 2023 regulations. It is important to note that the questionnaires were distributed to referees in 2019.
Bunkai refers to analyzing the applications that underlie the movements presented in a kata. It is defined as the fighting skills that thekata were designed to teach (Clayton, 2004, p. 291). Bunkai is an essential aspect of training, ensuring that kata practice goes beyond
performance to become a meaningful study of practical fighting techniques.
Kiai is a short shout performed during an attacking move, representing the culmination and release of energy. It is often used to startle
an opponent and express confidence. Kiai must be uttered at precise, predefined moments during a kata, occurring exactly twice in eachkata (Yokota, 2013, p. 28).
Budō translates to "the way of war" or "martial way" and encompasses the philosophies and practices of traditional Japanese martial
arts.
Kime is a term used in Japanese martial arts to describe the concept of focus or decisiveness in executing a technique. It involves a----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1861
JPES ® www.efsupit.roDRAGOŞ DĂNCESCU, VLAD IORGA--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Materials and methods
We distributed questionnaires to 40 coaches and instructors, most of whom also serve as referees in the
WUKF, to evaluate which aspects of a kata presentation referees focus on and to identify potential solutions for
improving arbitration in Karate, particularly regarding the integration of video analysis in kata competitions.
A key objective in developing this questionnaire was to gather insights from referees, coaches, and Shotokan
karate instructors in the Romanian Karate Federation WUKF regarding the evaluation criteria for kata. The
current arbitration rules list these criteria without providing explanations or indicating their relative weight in theoverall evaluation of an athlete. By analyzing the responses, we aim to define and establish connections between
these criteria, which could inform proposed amendments to the kata arbitration regulations. Additionally, we
collected general demographic data from referees, such as age and karate skill level, to better understand theirbackgrounds.
Results
Background of coaches, instructors, and referees. The questionnaires, which were administered in
Romanian (with the questions provided in English below), included several questions about the background ofcoaches, instructors, and referees, as well as their formal training in sports science. The results are summarized
in the table below. It is important to note that respondents may have multiple qualifications for the"qualifications" category. Thus, the total number in that category does not need to add up to 40, as detailed inTable I. Additionally, the heatmap in Figure 1 illustrates the correlation between experience as a coachor instructor and participation in national and international competitions.

Figure 1 – Heatmap showing the years of experience of coaches and instructors in national andinternational competitions
Table I – Background of coaches, instructors, and referees
Categories
Gender – Male
Gender – Female
Age (18–24 years)
Age (25–34 years)
Age (35–50 years)
Age (>50 years)
Qualifications – refereeing course
Qualifications – instructors course
Qualifications – formal education
Qualifications – other
Karate practice time (1–2 years)# results (adds up to 40, excluding qualifications)
32
8
3
13
17
7
23
26
38
11
5

combination of physical power, mental focus, precision, and control. Kime transcends mere physical movement, incorporating themental and spiritual dimensions of martial arts training.

1862---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------JPES ® www.efsupit.roDRAGOŞ DĂNCESCU, VLAD IORGA--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Karate practice time (3–5 years)
Karate practice time (6–9 years)
Karate practice time (10–15 years)
Karate practice time (>15 years)
Title – assistant coach
Title – coach
Title – senior coach
Title – master coach
Title – not applicable# of yearly national competitions coached – none
# of yearly national competitions coached – 1–2# of yearly national competitions coached – 3–5# of yearly national competitions coached – 6–9# of yearly national competitions coached – 10–15# of yearly national competitions coached – >15# of yearly international competitions coached – 1# of yearly international competitions coached – 2# of yearly international competitions coached – 3# of yearly international competitions coached – 4# of yearly international competitions coached >4

3
10
4
18
11
9
5
2
11
1
1
11
19
4
5
11
10
4
1
6

Referee agreement. To ensure a kata is evaluated as objectively as possible, it is essential that referees
have a consistent understanding of the technical evaluation criteria. Below, we present a series of questions thatallow for open-ended responses and interpret the answers received. This study achieved a 100% participation
rate for a considerable number of questions, with most questions receiving responses from at least 75% ofparticipants. The average response rate across all questions was 87.5%. These results indicate a strong interest in
the topic and a general willingness to contribute to the research.
However, some respondents chose not to answer certain questions. This non-participation, particularly
noticeable for specific questions, may be attributed to factors such as the perceived difficulty of the questions,the sensitivity of the topics, or fatigue from completing the questionnaire. Despite our efforts to create clear andrelevant questions, some respondents might have found certain items too complex or personal, leading them toabstain from answering.
While non-responses are an inherent limitation of questionnaire-based studies, the high response rate
for most questions allows us to proceed with data analysis and draw meaningful conclusions.
For the question, "Do you think that the scores given in kata (5.0–6.9, 6.0–7.9, 7.0–8.9, depending on
the round) clearly reflect the athlete's performance?" the vast majority of respondents—31 out of 40—believethat the scores awarded accurately reflect the athlete's performance. It is important to note that while the WUKF
Karate regulations do not specify the exact score ranges for evaluating kata, they do outline the conditions underwhich an athlete should be penalized.
"Based on the decision criteria (from the FRK7 WUKF arbitration regulation) for basic kata execution,
what do you think "control of energy" refers to?" Out of thirty-seven surveyed individuals, nine respondents
indicated that they either did not understand what "control of energy" refers to or found the term too vague. Eight
respondents associated it with the muscular contraction at the end of a technique known in karate as kime. Three
respondents connected it to ki, a Japanese term meaning energy, mind, spirit, or heart. Seventeen respondents
provided a range of interpretations, including concentration during the kata, the force of the strike, control overvital functions, pacing of effort, and mental balance.
"According to the decision criteria (from the FRK WUKF arbitration regulation) for basic kata
execution, what do you think "understanding the movement of kata" refers to?" Out of 37 instructors andcoaches, 20 referred to the term "bunkai," which pertains to the application of kata in a real fight (Swanson,
2017, pp. 6, 12). Two respondents indicated that they did not understand what "understanding the movement ofkata" means. The remaining 15 responses varied, with interpretations including the need for the athlete tounderstand the movement, the accuracy of the movement, and the challenge of following the criteria duringexecution, etc.
"According to the decision criteria (from the FRK WUKF arbitration regulations) for basic kata
execution, what do you think "showing the appropriate understanding of the kata's bunkai" refers to?" In
response to this criterion, 37 instructors and coaches provided answers. Fifteen of them indicated that "showing
the appropriate understanding of the kata's bunkai" means demonstrating the application of techniques in a real
fight. Five respondents were unsure about what this criterion meant. Another five suggested that understanding
the bunkai is related to the rhythm of the kata's techniques. Three people believed that this understanding could
not be effectively demonstrated in a competitive setting. Additionally, three respondents equated understanding
the bunkai with understanding the kata's movements, as discussed in the previous question. The remaining six
7

Abbreviation for Federaţia Română de Karate (in Romanian)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1863
JPES ® www.efsupit.roDRAGOŞ DĂNCESCU, VLAD IORGA--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------responses varied, addressing aspects such as the performer's mastery, the athlete's imagination, the trajectory of
the techniques, and other related factors. Although more than half of the responses to the previous question about"understanding the movement of the kata" referred to bunkai, only 8.1% of responses to this question wereassociated with the criterion "understanding the movement of the kata.""According to the decision criteria (from the arbitration regulations of the FRK WUKF) for basic kata
execution, what do you think "breathing" refers to?" Out of 34 coaches and instructors, 16 believe that breathingshould be natural, while 9 think it should be synchronized with the execution of the techniques. The remaining 9
respondents provided varied interpretations, such as quiet breathing or breathing originating from the Hara (theabdomen).
"According to the decision criteria (from the arbitration regulations of the FRK WUKF) for basic kata
execution, what do you think "concentration" refers to?" Regarding "concentration" as a decision criterion, outof the 37 responses received, 9 instructors and coaches indicated that it referred to the athlete's attentiveness inexecuting the kata techniques. Seven respondents believed that it pertained to the fighting attitude demonstrated
by the athlete during the kata. The remaining 21 responses varied, referring to concepts such as zanshin8, bunkai,
and breathing, among others.
"According to the decision criteria (from the arbitration regulations of the FRK WUKF) for basic kata
execution, what do you think "spirit" refers to?" Out of 32 responses, 15 respondents interpreted "spirit" as
relating to the fighter's attitude displayed by the athlete during the performance of the kata. Six individuals
indicated that they did not know what the criterion "spirit" referred to. The remaining 11 responses varied, withsome referring to concepts such as bunkai, zanshin, and the notion that the "spirit" criterion is subject tojudgment by the referees.
"According to the decision criteria (from the arbitration regulations of the FRK WUKF) for basic kata
execution, what do you think "mastery of technique execution" refers to?" Out of 37 responses, 6 respondents
associated "mastery of technique execution" with kime—the muscular contraction at the end of a technique(Amălinei, 2001, p. 10). The remaining 31 responses varied, with interpretations including a high level oftechnical execution, the speed of repetition, the difficulty of the chosen kata, and the artistic aspect, among
others.
"According to the decision criteria (from the FRK WUKF arbitration regulations) for basic kata
execution, what do you think "budō attitude" refers to?" Out of 33 responses from instructors, 7 respondents
referred to the definition of the word budō, which means the way of the martial arts (Funakoshi, 1973, p. 247).
Five respondents associated budō attitude with courtesy, while another five believed it referred to theconcentration exhibited by the athlete. Three respondents thought it related to zanshin, and three did not knowwhat budō attitude meant. The remaining 10 respondents provided varied interpretations, including bunkai, selfcontrol, and self-respect.
"According to the decision criteria (from the FRK WUKF arbitration regulations) for basic kata
execution, what do you think "degree of difficulty and risk" refers to?" Out of 37 responses, 20 respondents
believed that "degree of difficulty and risk' pertained to the difficulty and complexity of the kata chosen by theathlete. Five instructors or coaches thought it referred to jumps and stances in the kata that required specialbalance, representing a high degree of difficulty and risk. The remaining 12 responses varied, with references toconcepts such as bunkai, mastery of technique execution, the complexity factor, and the naturalness oftechniques.
"Do you believe that athletes are penalized for execution errors beyond the four specified in theregulations?" Thirty out of the 40 instructors and coaches who responded believed that athletes were indeed
penalized for additional mistakes. In contrast, 10 respondents thought that athletes were not penalized for otherexecution errors during the performance of the kata.
If respondents answered "yes" to the previous question, they were asked what additional reasons mightlead to athletes being penalized. Those who answered "no" were instructed to proceed to the next question. For
those who answered "yes" to the previous question about additional penalties for execution errors, 10
respondents believed that athletes were penalized for incorrect execution of stances and techniques. Six
respondents thought that a lack of appropriate attitude during the kata led to deductions. Four believed that
subjectivity in referees' assessments contributed to penalties, while three thought that insufficient power duringexecution resulted in deductions. Seven respondents provided various other reasons, such as failing to return tothe starting point of the kata or missing or changing a technique.
"Rank in order of importance the five most important criteria that referees use when awarding a score."
Based on responses from 36 coaches and instructors, we have identified and ranked the most frequently
mentioned criteria as follows. The correctness of the stances mentioned by 14 respondents is generally
considered the most important criterion. The correctness of the technique, mentioned by 23 respondents, is thesecond most important criterion. Attitude/concentration, cited by 14 respondents, is also a key factor on average.
Speed and power, although mentioned 31 times, are considered the fourth most important criterion. Rhythm,

8Refers to the state of alertness (Funakoshi, 1973, pp. 217-218)

1864---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------JPES ® www.efsupit.roDRAGOŞ DĂNCESCU, VLAD IORGA--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------mentioned 11 times, is generally regarded as the least important of the five key criteria that referees use whenawarding a score.
"Why do you think additional points are awarded after executing a kata?" Out of the 36 individuals
surveyed, 11 thought that the athlete's appropriate attitude was scored, while 10 coaches/instructors thought thatthe complexity and difficulty of the chosen kata were the reason for additional points. Five respondents notedthat points were awarded for performing the techniques with kime, and 10 respondents provided various reasonsfor additional points, such as correct rhythm, proper stances, affiliation, or the athlete's physical preparation.
"Do you believe that the four criteria for point deduction (momentary hesitation, momentary stop, slight
imbalance, and lack of kiai) are sufficient?" Out of the 40 instructors and coaches who answered this question,
26 thought that these four criteria were insufficient, while 14 believed they were sufficient. According to theregulations (Federația Română de Karate WUKF, 2017, p. 43), there are only four criteria for point deductions.
Because most athletes can easily avoid these, it suggests they are unlikely to lose points. However, deductions
still occur, indicating that athletes are being penalized for other criteria not specified in the regulations.
Improving judging criteria
The next question aimed to assess the need for change: "Do you believe that changing the scoring
method would be beneficial?" Out of 40 coaches and instructors, only 14 thought that a change in the scoring
method would be advantageous. This indicates that, despite some positive responses to the previous question,
there are still individuals who think a change would be beneficial.
For referees who answered "yes" to this question, we asked for their suggestions on how to improve thescoring system. Half of the 14 coaches and instructors recommended adopting a system similar to that used in
Olympic sports such as artistic gymnastics, acrobatic gymnastics, and figure skating, which involves awarding
separate scores for difficulty and execution. The other half provided various suggestions, including using ascoring scale from 1 to 10 or 1 to 20, expanding the range of scores, or ranking based on the difficulty of thechosen kata.
"Do you think that having five referees for the kata event is sufficient?" Of the 39 respondents to thisquestion, 33 thought that the number of referees was adequate, while 6 thought a different number would be
preferable.
For referees who answered "no" to the previous question, we asked a follow-up question to determine whether
six or seven referees would be more suitable. The six respondents who expressed dissatisfaction were evenly
split: three preferred 6 referees, while the other three favored 7 referees.
"Do you think it would be beneficial to rank katas and incorporate these rankings into the scoring?"
The vast majority—34 out of 40 instructors and coaches—thought that including kata rankings in the scoring
would improve the evaluation process, while only six found this approach unsuitable. This question is closely
related to the "degree of difficulty and risk" criterion in the kata regulations (Federația Română de Karate
WUKF, 2017, p. 43). Although this criterion is important and part of advanced execution, it is currently listed
alongside other criteria without a specific score or detailed description.
"If video review were introduced in kata, how do you think it would function?" Out of 30 respondents, 7 thoughtthat video review was inappropriate for kata competitions. Six stated that it would be useful in resolving disputes
related to athlete disqualification. Five respondents thought that while video review could be beneficial, they did
not provide specific implementation methods. Three were unsure how video review could be effectively
integrated into kata. Nine respondents offered various alternative suggestions, such as using drones for filming,
adopting video review systems from other sports, or recording competitions for referees' educational purposes.
Discussion
The data from the questionnaires distributed to WUKF referees reveal the complexities involved in
judging karate kata competitions. The referees' extensive experience in karate and formal education enhance thecredibility of their responses, while the diversity of their answers highlights the inherent subjectivity inevaluating kata performances.
The range of interpretations for key judging criteria—such as "control of energy," "understanding of
kata movements," "concentration," "breathing," and "spirit"—suggests a lack of standardized understanding.
This variability can result in inconsistent scoring and a perception of arbitrariness in the results. While thesecriteria have considerable cultural and martial importance, their difficulty in being quantified contributes to thesubjectivity in scoring.
While most referees think that the current scoring system adequately reflects athletes' performance, aconsiderable number see the potential for improvement, highlighting a disparity between satisfaction with theexisting scoring system and a desire for a more objective and accurate evaluation method. The integration oftechnology, such as wearable sensors (Saponara, 2017) or motion capture systems (Coppola et al., 2019;
Ardelean et al., 2016; Ardelean et al., 2019; Cynarsky et al., 2014), could provide objective metrics for
performance parameters such as speed, power, and technique execution. Combining these technologicaladvancements with the referees' expertise may lead to a more comprehensive and objective assessment of kataperformances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1865
JPES ® www.efsupit.roDRAGOŞ DĂNCESCU, VLAD IORGA--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Conclusions
The investigation into the subjectivity of karate kata judging reveals a fundamental tension between
traditional, holistic evaluations of performance and the modern need for quantifiable, objective standards. The
data indicate that while the current system is broadly accepted, there is a strong interest in refining the criteria tominimize subjectivity. This refinement could be facilitated using the following approaches.
1. Clear definitions: Providing detailed descriptions of each criterion to ensure a consistent understanding
among referees.
2. Objective measures: Incorporating objective metrics where feasible, such as time stamps for kiai orexactness of foot placements.
3. Technology integration: Using video analysis to support, rather than replace, the judgments ofexperienced referees.
4. Scoring system refinement: Revising the scoring system to include separate scores for difficulty andexecution, similar to the approach used in other judged Olympic sports.
5. Feedback mechanisms: Establishing feedback systems for athletes and coaches to understand referees'
scoring, thus promoting transparency and learning.
We recommend incorporating these measures into the refereeing manuals to reduce subjectivity. In conclusion,
although karate kata competition is rooted in tradition, there is a clear path to modernization that respects theart's heritage while aiming for greater fairness and objectivity. The WUKF, along with other Karateorganizations, should consider these findings as they work to advance the sport for practitioners and audiences
worldwide.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the Romanian Karate Federation WUKF for their support during this research. The
authors are grateful to the coaches and instructors who generously devoted their time to participate in thequestionnaires, offering invaluable insights into the world of karate. Dragoş Dăncescu thanks his doctoral thesis
supervisor, Prof. Univ. Dr. Pierre Joseph de Hillerin. His guidance and mentorship have been crucial in shaping
Dragoş Dăncescu's research journey and fostering his passion for scientific inquiry.
Author contributions All authors contributed equally to the completion of this work.
Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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