Waza-ari
Encyclopedia
Waza Ari literally "half a point", is the second highest score a fighter can achieve in a Japanese martial arts ippon-wazari contest, usually Judo
, karate
or Jujutsu
.
(advantage) or, formerly, a koka
(small advantage). An Ippon
would be the highest score, that once awarded, ends the match in favour of the athlete who scored it.
The Referee raises his arm laterally parallel to the ground to award 'Waza-ari'. Its value is higher than any other sum or combination of lower scores. No matter how many Yukos or Kokas, when times runs out, a waza ari still counts more.
In Judo, a Waza-ari is awarded after an action in which the opponent is thrown with control and accuracy, but not to the extent of an ippon, or held on the back for between 20 and 25 seconds on the mat. To achieve an Ippon, four elements are required: landing on the mat flat on the back, force, speed and control. If one out of the four elements is not expressed or it is expressed poorly, the referee can still award the waza ari.
It can be awarded also as a penalty, formerly named 'Keikoku'. A penalty can be given for infractions such as non-combativity, improper hold, false attacks, etc.. In judo, penalties are always awarded in a progressive way, e.g. first infraction - first penalty (Shido), second infraction - second penalty (Chiui), third infraction - third penalty (Keikoku), fourth infraction - disqualification (Hansoku make, see Ippon
).
Waza-ari is the only cumulative score in judo. If an athlete scores two Waza-ari during a bout, they each count for half an Ippon, thus giving victory to the athlete. To signal this the referee raises his arm laterally parallel to the ground to award the second waza ari and then continues rising the arm vertically as if to mark an ippon, saying "Waza-ari, awasete Ippon", before ending the match ("Soremade").
In the shobu ippon kumite practiced by the JKA
and its offshoots, waza ari is awarded when a strike makes contact with the opponent but without fulfilling all of the criteria for a decisive strike, either due to the target area, distance, focus or other judging criteria.
In knockdown kumite as practiced by offshoots of the kyokushinkaikan
organisations, waza ari is awarded for a blow that temporarily stuns the opponent but does not render them unable to continue for longer than 3 seconds.
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
or Jujutsu
Jujutsu
Jujutsu , also known as jujitsu, ju-jitsu, or Japanese jiu-jitsu, is a Japanese martial art and a method of close combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon, or only a short weapon....
.
Waza Ari in Judo
A Waza-Ari is the second highest score a fighter can achieve, the others being a yukoYuko
-Judo:Yuko is a lower grade of score, and only counts as a tie-breaker; it is not cumulative with other yuko scores.-Possible writings:Yūko can be written using different kanji characters and can mean:*優子, "gentle, child"*裕子, "fertile, child"...
(advantage) or, formerly, a koka
Koka
was a after Tenpō and before Kaei. This period spanned the years from December 1844 through February 1848. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:...
(small advantage). An Ippon
Ippon
Ippon literally "one full point", it is the highest score a fighter can achieve in a Japanese martial arts ippon-wazari contest, usually judo, karate or jujutsu.-Ippon in judo:...
would be the highest score, that once awarded, ends the match in favour of the athlete who scored it.
The Referee raises his arm laterally parallel to the ground to award 'Waza-ari'. Its value is higher than any other sum or combination of lower scores. No matter how many Yukos or Kokas, when times runs out, a waza ari still counts more.
In Judo, a Waza-ari is awarded after an action in which the opponent is thrown with control and accuracy, but not to the extent of an ippon, or held on the back for between 20 and 25 seconds on the mat. To achieve an Ippon, four elements are required: landing on the mat flat on the back, force, speed and control. If one out of the four elements is not expressed or it is expressed poorly, the referee can still award the waza ari.
It can be awarded also as a penalty, formerly named 'Keikoku'. A penalty can be given for infractions such as non-combativity, improper hold, false attacks, etc.. In judo, penalties are always awarded in a progressive way, e.g. first infraction - first penalty (Shido), second infraction - second penalty (Chiui), third infraction - third penalty (Keikoku), fourth infraction - disqualification (Hansoku make, see Ippon
Ippon
Ippon literally "one full point", it is the highest score a fighter can achieve in a Japanese martial arts ippon-wazari contest, usually judo, karate or jujutsu.-Ippon in judo:...
).
Waza-ari is the only cumulative score in judo. If an athlete scores two Waza-ari during a bout, they each count for half an Ippon, thus giving victory to the athlete. To signal this the referee raises his arm laterally parallel to the ground to award the second waza ari and then continues rising the arm vertically as if to mark an ippon, saying "Waza-ari, awasete Ippon", before ending the match ("Soremade").
Waza Ari in Karate
In many styles of karate competition or shiai, a score of waza ari is awarded to a competitor that successfully strikes an opponent within the rules of the competition, but in a way that is not considered to overpower the opponent sufficiently to end the match.In the shobu ippon kumite practiced by the JKA
Japan Karate Association
Japan Karate Association is one of the most influential Shotokan karate organizations in the world...
and its offshoots, waza ari is awarded when a strike makes contact with the opponent but without fulfilling all of the criteria for a decisive strike, either due to the target area, distance, focus or other judging criteria.
In knockdown kumite as practiced by offshoots of the kyokushinkaikan
Kyokushin
is a style of stand-up, full contact karate, founded in 1964 by Korean-Japanese karate master, who was born under the name Choi Young-Eui . Kyokushinkai is Japanese for "the society of the ultimate truth". Kyokushin is rooted in a philosophy of self-improvement, discipline and hard training...
organisations, waza ari is awarded for a blow that temporarily stuns the opponent but does not render them unable to continue for longer than 3 seconds.