About
Combat sports are one-on-one disciplines where victory depends not only on strength and technique, but also on character, focus, and respect.
Boxing, karate, judo, taekwondo, sambo, wushu, Greco-Roman wrestling, kickboxing, aikido, sumo, capoeira, jiu-jitsu, and others are all built on direct engagement between opponents, clear rules, and inner discipline.
For the photographer, it’s not enough to merely capture motion—it’s essential to reveal the essence of the moment: the tension before an attack, the instant of contact, the reaction after a fall, the gaze just before stepping onto the tatami, a coach’s gesture of support, or a nod of respect to an opponent.
Accepted:
- Photos from training sessions and competitions in any martial art—both adult and youth categories.
- Images centered on athletes: their focus, determination, fatigue, joy, respect for opponents, connection with coaches, and team support.
- Both candid and staged photographs that convey motion, tension, emotion, and the spirit of martial arts—everything that makes combat sports a living expression of strength and dignity.
Not accepted:
- Images without people: empty gyms, uniforms lying on the floor, punching bags or equipment shown without action or human context.
- Photographs where it’s impossible to identify the depicted activity as a martial art (lacking visual cues such as sparring, training, distinctive uniforms, characteristic stances, gestures, or sport-specific gear).
- Photographs depicting sports other than combat sports are not accepted
- Submissions that depict aggression outside a sporting context, demean participants, or misrepresent the essence of martial arts.
