1. At the start of each bout and in answer to their names, the two contestants, or teams, one wearing a red belt (AKA), and the other wearing a blue belt (AO), will line up at the match area perimeter facing the Chief Kata Judge. Following a bow to the Judging Panel and then to each other, AO will then step back out of the Match Area. After moving to the starting position a clear announcement of the name of the Kata that is to be performed, AKA will again bow and begin. On completion of the Kata, AKA will after bowing at the end of the kata leave the area to await the performance of AO. After AO’s Kata has been completed both will return to the match area perimeter and await the decision from the Panel.

2. If the Chief Judge is of the opinion that a competitor should be disqualified, he may call the other Judges in order to reach a verdict.

3. If a contestant is disqualified the Chief Judge will cross and uncross the flags and then raise the flag indicating the winner

4. After completion of both Kata, the contestants will stand side by side on the perimeter. The Chief Judge will call for a decision (HANTEI) and blow a two-tone blast on the whistle whereupon the Judges will cast their votes. In instances where both AKA and AO are disqualified in the same match, the opponents scheduled for the next round will win by bye (and no result is announced), unless the double disqualification applies to a medal bout, in which case the winner will be declared by Hantei.

5. The decision will be for AKA or AO. No ties are permitted. The competitor, who receives the majority of votes will be declared the winner.

6. In the event that a competitor withdraws after the opponent has started his performance the competitor may re-use the kata performed in any subsequent round as this situation is considered as won by kiken. (This is an exception from Art. 3.6.)

7. The competitors will bow to each other, then to the Judging Panel, and leave the area.