Not an individual competitive sport, but a team sport that is all about technique. Kata may look like judo, but it is really different. Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, the District Kata Championship North Holland took place at Judoclub Hajime in Alkmaar. Streekstad Centraal went by to take a look and find out exactly what the sport of Kata is all about.

“For many people, Kata is quite an unknown sport, especially compared to the better-known Judo,” says Judoka Peter Puntman. Puntman is a judge during the Kata Championships, and therefore knows all the ins and outs of Kata. He understands that many people find the sport similar to judo, but points out that it really is something different.

“Although the throws and actions are the same as those in judo, Kata looks at the technique and execution of the throws and actions,” Puntman explained. Therefore, the way of training is also different. “There is no mutual competition element in Kata, where there is in judo.” Kata is not about taking out your opponent. “The couples know when which action is going to be performed. So it’s a practiced ‘performance’ to put it that way, but shouldn’t look like that.” (text continues below photo).

By that Puntman means that the “faller,” for example, should not already make a jump at the moment a throw is executed. “That takes quite a bit of practice,” Puntman admits. “The couples really have to be well attuned to each other, and if that’s not quite the case (yet), you notice it right away. It really comes down to the smallest details and cooperation.”

“As a judging panel member, you look at all the little things during a couple’s nomination. Within the Kata, the judges judge negatively. That means that if the opponent’s way of holding is too low, for example, or the throw is not laid out properly, then points will be taken off the highest possible – ten points.”

During the championship, participants of all ages compete. “The youngest participant is 16 years old, while the oldest participant is already 62,” says Puntman. And that is precisely what Puntman says is so beautiful about Kata. “It really is a sport for everyone. Where judo top athletes stop around age 30 or 40, in Kata you can join at any time. And you often see that too, that people end up at Kata after judo.”

Sunday’s schedule consists of preliminary rounds in the morning. After a short break, finals begin in the afternoon. Couples of different levels are competing. “At the higher levels, you also see swords, knives or pistols passing by during the performance. The first time I saw that I thought ‘wow.’ You do get impressed by that.”

Bron van dit artikel is Streekstad Centraal: Districts Kata Kampioenschap bij Judoclub Hajime in Alkmaar: “Het gaat om de kleinste details”