SO who says competing in an online karate kata event should be easier than vying in a live competition?
Not James de los Santos, who is currently No. 2 in the e-kata world rankings with 12 gold medals tucked in his belt so far in the ongoing global series.
“In live competitions, you only perform once and the judges evaluate you on the spot afterwards,” de los Santos, a former national team member, told BusinessMirror. “In virtual competition. you can do as many takes as you want before submitting your routine [taped video], thus giving you the opportunity to perfect your performance.”
But the judges, de los Santos said, also have the privilege to scrutinize your routine over and over again.
“They [judges], too, have that opportunity to view your video many times, looking for flaws and mistakes,” he said. “So there’s really no advantage.”
Athletes are evaluated based on two criteria—technical aspect covering proper delivery of technique, proper stances and proper form; and the other is athleticism where the judges look for power, speed, balance and flexibility.
Deadlines are set for the athletes to submit their videos. They are allowed to be physically coached by their sensei, too.
“In my case, because my coach is in Japan, we work together online,” said de los Santos, referring to his mentor, Masa Saito of the International Shotokan Karate Federation.
De los Santos video tapes his routines at the Maharlika Karatedo Kai of the Philippines Incorporated Hondu dojo in Quezon City through his former national teammate, Guierby Lacorte.
De los Santos nailed his 12th gold medal—beating Nejc Sternisa of Slovenia, 25.2-23.7—at the recent Venice Cup 2020 to push closer to world No. 1 Eduardo Garcia of Portugal.
With 8,110 points, he is 465 points behind Garcia (8,575). To be the world No. 1, de los Santos must top the Okinawa World Series and First Euro Grand Prix E-Tournament.
The virtual tournaments is organized by the SportData, the official tournament organizing software of the World karate Federation.
“I’ll keep pushing,” said de los Santos, who admitted he prefers competing before a live audience.
“With the crowd in the stands, the thrill is different. The cheers of the fans inspires you more,” he said. “But because of the [Covid-19] pandemic, we need to go with the flow.”