The Individual Challenge is open to all martial arts styles, and competitors may perform either traditional or creative katas/forms. There is no predetermined list of approved katas/forms. Competitors face off in pairs in a bracket format, but all competitors will perform at least three times in the Medal Round.

Kata/Form Requirements by Rank

• Grasshopper (Beginner) and Warrior (Intermediate) May repeat the same kata/form in each pairing or choose a different one.
• Samurai (Advanced), Shogun (Black Belt), and Emperor (Master Black Belt) Must perform a different kata/form in every pairing. They cannot perform the same kata/form back‑to‑back. They must use all of their required katas/forms before they are allowed to reuse any.

Required Number of Katas/Forms

• Samurai: Must perform three (3) different katas/forms.
• Shogun & Emperor: Should be prepared to perform five (5) different katas/forms.

Once Samurai, Shogun, and Emperor competitors have used all of their required katas/forms, they may select any kata/form except the one used in their immediately previous pairing. They may choose to use more than three or five katas/forms, but the no back‑to‑back repeats rule always applies.

Before each round begins, competitors will inform the ring coordinator which kata/form they will perform, and this selection will be recorded on their competitor card.

Advancing to the Championship Round

Competitors moving from the Medal Round to the Championship Round must select from their unused katas/forms first. If a competitor has already performed all of their selected katas/forms, they may then choose from previously performed ones.

Pairings

Each pairing consists of a red (aka) competitor and a blue (ao) competitor, designated by colored markings on the mats.

• Both competitors perform simultaneously.
• The red competitor begins on the right side of the center referee.
• The blue competitor begins on the left side of the center referee.

After performing, both competitors present themselves to the judges. Judges raise either a red (aka) or blue (ao) flag to indicate the winner. The competitor with the most flags wins the pairing.

Competitors also receive 1 point for each flag raised in their favor. These points:

• Are used to break ties.
• Are used to seed competitors for the Championship and Grand Championship rounds.

Medal Round Format

Groups may contain two (2), three (3), or four (4) competitors.

Two Competitors

• They compete head‑to‑head three (3) times.
• They alternate sides of the ring each time.

Three Competitors

• Each competitor faces the other two (2) head‑to‑head.
• Each competitor performs once by themselves in the red ring.
• A solo performance receives an automatic score of 3–0.
• If the center referee raises both flags for an outstanding performance, the score is upgraded to 4–0.

Four Competitors

• Each competitor faces the other three (3) head‑to‑head.

Determining Medalists

The competitor with the most victories becomes the Gold Medalist and automatically advances to the Championship Round.

Tie‑breaking order:

1. Total points earned
2. Center referee’s vote in the head‑to‑head match between the tied competitors

Select Silver Medalists may also advance to the Championship Round.

Judging Criteria

Judges evaluate each performance on:

• Balance (most heavily weighted)
• Focus
• Speed
• Power
• Spirit

Acrobatics and tricks are only considered if both competitors are judged equal in all primary criteria.

Please watch the video below for a clearer understanding of how the Individual Challenge works.

The Team Sync Challenge follows a format similar to the Individual Challenge. Teams are paired just like individual competitors; however, teams perform one at a time. Winning teams advance to face other winning teams in a bracket format.

Teams may consist of members of any age, rank, or experience level. Unlike the Individual Challenge, teams are not required to perform a different kata/form in each pairing.

Synchronization & Formation Requirements

Each team must:

• Maintain synchronization for at least 75% of the kata/form.
• Have exactly three members — no more, no less.
• Hold a triangular formation throughout the performance. The formation may shift or rotate, but the triangular structure must be preserved.

Teams may use different rhythms, tempos, or staggered start times, as long as approximately three‑quarters of the routine is performed in synchronization.

Kata/Form Guidelines

This event is open to both traditional and creative katas/forms. Judging includes all standard criteria — execution of technique, application of technique, balance, focus, speed, power, and spirit — with additional emphasis on:

• Precision of synchronization
• Consistency of formation

Forms may be performed in their original version or in a modified version recognized by the competitor’s system or school. For creative katas/forms, at least half of the routine must originate from martial arts techniques.

Please watch the video below for a clearer understanding of how the Team Sync Challenge works.

Boards

• 7 years old & under: Lil’ Child Boards — ½" x 6" x 12"
• 8–12 years old: Child Boards — ½" x 10" x 12"
• 13 years old & older: Adult Boards — 1" x 10" x 12"

All boards must be purchased through the tournament director.

Stacks

• Two spaced stacks required
• Spacers: Standard carpenter pencils
• Minimum boards per stack:
  • 17 years old & under: 2 boards per stack
  • 18 years old & older: 3 boards per stack
• Stacks do not need to be equal
• Stacks must be held perpendicular to the floor

Holders

• An apparatus may be used
• If using human holders:
  • 2 holders total (1 per stack)
  • Holders must be in uniform

Allowed Techniques

• Double punch
• Double palm heel
• Double knifehand
• Double ridgehand
• Double hammer fist
• Double forward elbow
• Double rear elbow
• Double side elbow
• Double rear knifehand
• Double backfist
• Any combination of hand/arm techniques
• Only 1 attempt allowed

Technique Requirements

• Strikes must hit the stacks horizontally, parallel to the floor
• Maximum two (2) step approach
• Techniques do not need to travel in the same direction

Not Allowed

• Striking with the shoulder
• A running approach

Determining the Winner

• The competitor who breaks the most boards is the winner
• If two or more competitors break the same number of boards, the winner is determined by the highest ratio of boards broken to boards attempted.

Please watch the video below for a clearer understanding of how the Breaking - Power Wood Double Horizontal Arm Challenge works.

The Golden Eagle Challenge requires a team effort to plan and coordinate.