The 2024 Las Vegas World Judo Kata Championships kicked off with a display of high-level competition and a clear message: kata is thriving on the international stage. With participation from around the world, the event’s opening day showed that this unique judo discipline has not only evolved but is drawing athletes and nations together as never before.

Franco Capelletti, Chair of the IJF Kata Commission, highlighted this evolution in his reflections on the day’s events. “It’s a truly professional organization, and the level of all participants keeps rising every year,” he noted, commending both the event and the competitors. Capelletti emphasized the adaptability required in the changing world of judo. “Society changes, and we must adapt continuously. I believe that’s exactly what we’re doing here and will continue to do in the future,” he said.

Daniel De Angelis, Director of the IJF Kata Commission, shared similar thoughts on the competitive landscape. He observed a trend that speaks volumes about the growth and increasing parity within kata. “The journey since the inaugural Kata World Championships in Malta in 2009 has been remarkable. Today’s scores reveal that the gap between medalists is shrinking. The very best are now within striking distance of each other.” De Angelis’s comments underscored how, each year, the level of competition draws closer at the top, showing that world-class kata athletes are not only performing at a high standard but also pushing one another to reach new heights.

CONNECTING JUDO TO A GLOBAL VISION

In a testament to the sport’s expanding reach, the first-day winners represented four different nations: the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, and Germany. This impressive diversity illustrates how kata is no longer the domain of a few select countries but a truly global discipline. According to De Angelis, this spread in top performances demonstrates the universal appeal and adoption of kata, marking it as a central aspect of the international judo scene.

But the progression of kata is more than just symbolic. The refinement of techniques, the precision of movements, and the dedication of teams are noticeable year over year. Subtle distinctions—a more controlled posture, a perfectly executed movement—often make the difference in the outcome. Teams with access to national coaches frequently find an edge, and the discipline is embracing a professional ethos that mirrors other competitive sports.

There is also a shift in how kata is perceived by practitioners and enthusiasts alike. Previously seen primarily as a requirement for dan grading, kata has found new respect as an invaluable training tool, one that teaches the core principles of judo in a powerful, structured way. Capelletti and De Angelis agree that this evolving perspective on kata enhances judo’s depth, presenting it as not just a skill or a set of forms but a multifaceted approach to the sport that encompasses technical skill, physical control, and mental discipline.

This year’s championship, then, is more than just a contest. It stands as a celebration of kata’s ongoing journey and its bright future within judo’s competitive and educational framework. While kata may have once been a single aspect of judo training, today it shines as a dynamic and universal discipline, with endless potential to explore.