For karate competitions in sparring we have to strike a legal technique at a scoring area (head, kidneys, ribs, chest & stomach) at bring it back to where it started without the opponent blocking it. Different belt divisions have different ranges for example a punch that comes out three inches from the opponents face and returns to the hip (where it started) before the opponent can block it counts as a half point for yellow belts, the range for black belts is contact, so the punch has to come out and touch my face without drawing blood and return to the hip. Full points are awarded to killing techniques (kicks to the head, attacks the hit them in the back, undefendable techniques like sweeping them to the floor then kicking them in the stomach, they couldn't defend themselves, they die, or multiple fast unblocked techniques before the referee stops the round, like a punch in the face and stomach with each hand - full point). The first person to 3 points wins. Each round goes for three minutes, and after each scoring technique the fight is stopped points awarded and the fight resumed from the starting positions.
If you beat the crap out of an opponent till he can't stand you either get disqualified for excessive contact if your a lower belt or they lose the match because they are unable to continue if your heigher belts- either way not a good idea because if you draw blood at all you have to turn around and get on your knees, as it is shameful to see your sparing partner (who's not a real enemy) in pain - then you get disqualified if they can not stand, or can not effectivly continue.
Kata which is a set of traditional predefined moves is also a competition. Kata is scored on technique, speed, timing, strength, breathing, and basically not making any mistakes that deviate from how the kata is supposed to be performed.
I've won 5 bronze medals in state and two silver in regional tournaments but that was when i was orange-red belt, now I don't enter the tournaments cause I have to spar black and above (to like 5th dan), which always hurts like hell and I would probaly lose.
The other funny thing about Australia is I count as a registered weapon because of my level in martial arts, if I get into a fight I would be charged with possessing lethal weapons, and depending on how bad I hurt people, intent to use lethal weapons + attempted murder.
"...There are three kinds of people in this world, those who know how to count, and those who don't..."
