Competitors are divided into divisions by age and training experience and arranged in groups of four. Every competitor will perform at least two different katas/forms and may perform three to five different katas/forms over the course of competition. They cannot repeat a kata/form until they have performed all the katas/forms listed on their competitor card and they cannot perform the same kata in consecutive pairings.

Let’s look at some different competitor scenarios.

Scenario 1

• 4 Competitors
• Age Group: 9-10
• Experience: Warrior (1-2½ years of training)

1. Johnny (red competitor) chooses his first kata and performs against Suzy (blue competitor) who chooses her second kata. Johnny wins this pairing four red flags to one blue flag.
2. Kalee (red) chooses her second kata and performs against Kyle (blue) who chooses his third kata. Kalee wins this pairing three red flags to two blue flags.
3. Suzy (red) chooses her third kata and performs against Kyle (blue) who chooses his second kata. Kyle wins five blue flags to zero red flags.
4. Johnny (red) chooses his second kata and performs against Kalee (blue) who chooses her third kata. Kalee wins this pairing four blue flags to one red flag.
5. This group is done with Kyle winning bronze, Johnny winning silver, and Kalee winning gold and the Challenge Championship.

Scenario 2

• 8 Competitors/2 groups of 4
• Age Group: 9-10
• Experience: Warrior (1-2½ years of training)

1. Johnny (red competitor) chooses his first kata and performs against Suzy (blue competitor) who chooses her second kata. Johnny wins this pairing four red flags to one blue flag.
2. Kalee (red) chooses her second kata and performs against Kyle (blue) who chooses his third kata. Kalee wins this pairing three red flags to two blue flags.
3. Suzy (red) chooses her third kata and performs against Kyle (blue) who chooses his second kata. Kyle wins five blue flags to zero red flags.
4. Johnny (red) chooses his second kata and performs against Kalee (blue) who chooses her third kata. Kalee wins this pairing four blue flags to one red flag.
5. This group is done with Kyle winning bronze, Johnny winning silver, and Kalee winning gold and advancing to the Challenge Championship.
6. Lacey (red competitor) chooses her first kata and performs against Erica (blue competitor) who chooses her second kata. Lacey wins this pairing four red flags to one blue flag.
7. Billy (red) chooses his second kata and performs against Theo (blue) who chooses his third kata. Billy wins this pairing three red flags to two blue flags.
8. Erica (red) chooses her third kata and performs against Theo (blue) who chooses his second kata. Theo wins five blue flags to zero red flags.
9. Lacey (red) chooses her second kata and performs against Billy (blue) who chooses his third kata. Lacey wins this pairing four red flags to one blue flag.
10. This group is done with Theo winning bronze, Billy winning silver, and Lacey winning gold and advancing to the Challenge Championship.
11. Kalee (red) chooses her first kata, because she hasn’t used it yet, and performs against Lacey (blue) chooses her third kata, because she hasn’t used it yet. Kalee wins three red flags to two blue flags. Kalee is the Challenge Champion.

Competitors with four or more years of experience and all black belts will list five katas/forms on their competitor card.