Powerlifting

Strength is the primary ingredient of athletic performance. Powerlifting’s lifts are the definitive measure of strength. Powerlifting is the ultimate strength competition. The powerlifting athlete competes in three specific disciplines, each designed to measure different areas of human strength. The sum or total of the best lift in each discipline determines the winner. Powerlifting is an exciting sport where athletes compete against the force of iron as well as other athletes.
Powerlifting is an international sport practiced in close to 100 countries on all continents. Athletes, men and women from age 14 to 80, compete in given age groups and weight categories. Weight categories begin with 44kg women's class and end in the men's over 125kg class (unlimited). Powerlifters are unique athletes competing in an exciting sport. They move massive amounts of weight in hi-tech supportive gear that protects against injury. Contests and appreciative fans can be found from Delhi, India, to Dallas, USA. The unique powerlifting athletes compete in a wide variety of local, state, regional,national and international competitions.
The three disciplines, in contest order, that make up the sport are the Squat, Bench press and Deadlift.
Squat
The lift starts with the lifter standing erect and the bar loaded with weights resting on the lifter‚s shoulders. At the referee's command the lift begins. The lifter bends his knees and lowers himself into a squatting position with the hips slightly below parallel position. The lifter returns to an erect position. At the referees command the bar is returned to the rack and the lift is completed.
Bench Press
With his or her back resting on the bench, the lifter takes the loaded bar at arm's length. At the referee's command the powerlifter lowers the bar to the chest. On the chest there must be a visible pause. The powerlifter pushes the weight up until the arms are straight and the elbows locked. Then the referee will call 'rack' and the lift is completed as the weight is retuned to the rack.
Deadlift
The deadlift is often described as the king of the powerlifting disciplines. In the deadlift the athlete grasps the loaded bar which is resting on the platform floor. The powerlifter pulls the weights off the floor and assumes a standing erect position. The knees must be locked and shoulders back with the weight held in the lifters's grip. At the referees command the bar will be returned to the floor under the control of the lifter.
The first powerlifting competitions were organized in the early 1960s. Powerlifting has a steady growth and at present there are over 500'000 athletes. The International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) governs all competitions in 92 member nations. The IPF has a banned substance abuse policy that mirrors the IOC’s policy. The IPF conducts consistently in and out of competition drug testing.

Orienteering

Orienteering is ...
... highly athletic,
... mentally challenging,
... environmentally sound,
... and gender-neutral!

Orienteering is the sport where athletes use map and compass to navigate their way through the terrain in order to find the control points which form the pre-set course. The map gives detailed information on the terrain such as hills, ground surface, obstacles etc. There is no marked route in the terrain - the athletes must choose their own route between the control points.
In orienteering, the clock is the judge. Fastest time wins. Electronic equipment verifies that the athlete has visited all control points in the right order. Orienteering is highly athletic. Orienteers run over rough ground, completely unprepared forest terrain or rough open hills - cross country in the true sense of the word. Therefore, considerable body strength and agility is needed.

Orienteering demands the advanced skill of being able to read a detailed map and choose the best route over complex terrain while moving at high speed. The course is designed to test both the orienteer's physical strength and their navigation skills. Orienteering is a sport that uses no fixed structures, the natural environment is the arena.
Orienteers are keenly interested in environmental protection. The sport is conducted to minimize or eliminate environmental impact at its events. In doing so, the sport has gained respect in conservation circles.
There is a wide variety of orienteering formats: individual competitions and relays, sprint races and mountain marathon events. The formats chosen for The World Games program are an individual middle distance competition for both men and women, and a mixed relay for teams of two men and two women.
In 1897, the first ever public orienteering competition was held in Norway. During its first century orienteering developed from an activity invented in a small corner of northern Europe to a modern, high-technology sport practised by more than one million people in countries all over the world on five continents. World Orienteering Championships have been organized since 1966. Teams from 40 countries participated in the 2004 World Orienteering Championships in Sweden. The program includes four competitions for both women and men; a sprint race, a middle distance event, a long distance competition and a relay event for teams of three.

Netball

In 1891 a Canadian immigrant to the USA, James Naismith, was asked to invent an energetic indoor game for high-spirited young men. He came up with basketball, which so captivated his female colleagues that they began playing too. Within a short time, Naismith's rules were misinterpreted by a sports teacher in New Orleans and netball was born. The game quickly spread to England and British Commonwealth countries, where it continues to be played today.
Netball is a fast, skillful team game based on running, jumping, throwing and catching. Teams may include up to 12 players but only 7 may take the court at any one time. The major aim of the game is to score as many goals as possible from within an area called the Goal Circle. Only two players from each team may score goals; the Goal Attack and Goal Shooter.
World Netball Championships and World Youth Netball Championships are held once every four years. Netball is also a core sport on the program of the Commonwealth Games. The all-women sport made its third and, unfortunately, to date last appearance in The World Games in 1993, in The Hague, Netherlands, from where the netball final between Australia and New Zealand was broadcast live to the game's most appreciative television audiences downunder. It is estimated that there are in excess of 7 million people playing netball in 65 countries. The sport's governing body is the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA).

Life Saving: Beach, Pool

Organized international lifesaving activities date back to 1878, when the first World Congress was hosted in Marseille, France. A need for an international forum to exchange ideas was soon recognized. This led firstly to the establishment of the Fédération Internationale de Sauvetage Aquatique (FIS) in 1910 and then to the formation of World Life Saving (WLS). Both organizations were established to promote lifesaving throughout the world. While FIS was focused on stillwater, WLS was more focused on ocean lifesaving. Lifesaving sport was primarily intended to encourage lifesavers to develop, maintain and improve the essential physical and mental skills needed to save lives in the aquatic environment.

On February 24, 1993, in Leuven, Belgium, FIS and WLS were merged into a single, worldwide lifesaving organization known as the International Life Saving Federation (ILS). ILS was officially constituted by the ILS General Assembly in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, on September 3, 1994.
Since then, ILS has provided the single uniting force of lifesaving around the world. ILS is the international federation which oversees lifesaving sport and is the world's governing body for lifesaving and lifeguarding, for over 33 million members in 131 organizations.
The international liaisons forged by sport have helped greatly in advancing international exchanges of information on lifesaving practices.
The Lifesaving Disciplines
Lifesaving competitions consist of a variety of competitions to further develop and demonstrate lifesaving skills, fitness and motivation. The lifesaving competitions are held in stillwater (pool), in the ocean and on the beach.
Stillwater Events
The stillwater events are mainly held in a pool. These events require technical skills and speed.


Individual events:
200m Swimming with Obstacles
The competitor swims 200m in freestyle during which he swims under eight obstacles.
100m Saving a Manikin with Fins
The competitor swims 50m in freestyle with fins and picks up the manikin from the bottom which he carries it to the finish.
50m Saving a Manikin
The competitor swims 25m in freestyle and then picks up the manikin after which he tows it to the finish.
100m Combined Rescue Medley
After a 50m swim in freestyle the competitor swims under the water (20m for men and 15m for women) to pick up the manikin and carry it to the finish.
100m Saving a Manikin with Fins & Rescue Tube
The competitor dives into the water and swims 50 metres in freestyle with fins and rescue tube. At the turning edge the competitor fixes the rescue tube around the manikin and tows it to the finish.
200m Super Lifesaver
After a 75m swim in freestyle and a 25m carry of the manikin the competitor puts on the fins and rescue tube and swims 50m in freestyle followed by fixing the rescue tube around the manikin and towing it to the finish.
100m Lifesaving by Boat
The competitor jumps into the boat, rows to a buoy, turns around it, rows to an immersed Manikin, lifts it at the pool mirror edge and returns to the buoy using one oar, turns around it, and returns to the finish line still using only one oar.
Team events:
4 x 25m Manikin Relay
Four competitors carry a manikin 25m each.
4 x 50m Obstacle Relay
Four competitors swim 50m in freestyle each passing under two obstacles.
4 x 50m Rescue Tube Relay
Four competitors swim 50m using a different technique. The first swims 50m in freestyle, the second 50m freestyle with fins, the third pulls a rescue tube swimming in freestyle, and the fourth takes over the rescue tube and swims freestyle with fins towing the third competitor who is holding on to the rescue tube.
Simulated Emergency Response
The purpose of the event is to assess the initiative and judgment of a group of lifesavers in applying lifesaving skills in a simulated emergency situation. A number of victims are positioned in and around the swimming pool. A team of 4 lifesavers then enters the pool area and determine priorities in helping as much as possible the victims during a period of two minutes.
Ocean Events
The ocean events are most spectacular and fun to watch. The race and results are often unpredictable as currents and waves play a major role. These events require experience, tactics and endurance from the athletes.
Individual events:
Surf Race
From behind the starting line the competitors run in the water and swim approximately a 400m distance rounding a set of buoys and returning to shore.
Board Race
On the starting signal the competitors enter the water with their boards and paddle around the buoys to return to the beach and cross the finish line.
Ski Race
On the starting signal the ski is paddled around all buoys and return to the beach.
Ironman / Ironwoman Race
This event is conducted over a course which shall include a swim leg, a board leg, a ski leg, and finish with a beach sprint leg.
Beach Flags
At the start line the competitors lie face down with their toes on the start line. Upon the signal they get up, turn around and run approximately 20m trying to get a baton. There are always be less batons than competitors and the intent is for each competitor to gain a baton. A competitor who fails to gain a baton is thereby eliminated.
2km Beach Run
The competitors run a 2000m course made up of four (two) legs of 500m each.
Beach Sprint
the competitors run a 90m sprint between running lanes that a separated by ropes are laid on the beach to assist runners keep a straight course.
Team events:
Rescue Tube Rescue Race
The event consists of four persons - a patient, Rescue Tube swimmer and two rescuers. The rescue tube swimmer swims out behind the buoy line to secure the rescue tube around the patient and then tow the patient back to the beach. On return to the beach, two rescuers must drag or carry the patient past the finish line.
Taplin Relay Race
Teams comprise 4 competitors (1 swimmer, 1 board paddler, 1 ski paddler, 1 runner).
Board Rescue Race
the patient swims to his allotted buoy and signifies his arrival at the buoy by raising his arm. The rescuer then enters the water and paddles to the patient, who gets on the front of the board and assists the rescuer by paddling the board on the return to shore.
Beach Relay
A team of 4 competitors each complete a leg of the 90m course with a baton held in their hand and pass it to the next runner.
Surf Boat Race
A boat crew consists of five competitors, four of which are rowers and the fifth controls the boat by a sweep oar. On the starting signal the boats are rowed around their turning marks and return to the beach.
IRB Competition
On the starter's signal, the crew launches the IRB from the beach, proceeds through the surf, picks-up their patient, round their buoy and return to shore.
A select number of these events are staged during a particular edition of The World Games.

Korfball

Korfball is the world's only dedicated mixed team sport. Developed in 1902 by an Amsterdam school teacher for the pupils of his coeducational school, it has developed into an international competitive sport, still expressing the values of controlled contact and cooperative play. Korfball is played by two teams, each consisting of four female and four male players. The objective is to throw a ball through a korf. The korf is a rattan basket fixed at the top of a 3.5 meter high post. The posts are fixed at 1/6 of either end of a 40 x 20 meter pitch, allowing also to shoot and approach the korf from the rear side.
Uncontrolled contact is not allowed, as is dribbling or running with the ball. The game requires all-round skilled athletes, as the players must alternate between attacking and defending positions after every two goals. A game lasts 2 x 30 minutes. Scoring goals is done from a wide variety of positions, including shots at high speed in close proximity to the basket, shots from as far away as fifteen meters with unbelievable accuracy, and penalty shots allowed after severe fouls.
Besides the international competitive discipline, which is played indoors, other disciplines include outdoor korfball (usually played on grass on a larger pitch) and beach korfball (played on sand on a smaller pitch). Korfball is played in well over 40 countries and across all continents. Its governing body is the International Korfball Federation (IKF). Even though the sport is celebrating its official centenary in 2003, world championships have only been organized since 1978. Korfball has appeared on every World Games program since 1985 and was recognized by the IOC in 1993.

Karate

The literal meaning of the two characters that make up the word karate is 'Empty Hands', referring to the fact that karate originated as a method of self-defense which relied on the effective use of the unarmed body, and was made up of elaborate techniques of blocking or thwarting an attack and counter-attacking an opponent by punching, striking or kicking.

As a physical art, karate is almost without equal. Since it is highly dynamic and makes balanced use of a large number of body muscles, it provides excellent all-round exrecise and develops coordination and agility.
With elaborate contest rules prohibiting dangerous throws and attacks to the sensitive parts of the athletes' body, it is possible to hold actual matches as in other combat sports. Because of the speed, the variety of techniques, and the split-second timing it requires, highly athletic-minded people have come to show a particular interest in competitive karate.
Besides the sparring in 'kumite', the one-on-one combat between two athletes, there are competitions in which 'katas', Japanese for 'forms', are performed to the highest level of perfection.

Ju-Jitsu

Ju-jitsu (or Yawara) is an ancient Japanese martial art. Its origins date back to the sixteenth century, when legend has it that Shirobei Akiyama witnessed how the branches of most trees broke during a blizzard, while the more elastic branches of the willow bent and efficiently freed themselves from the snow.
Thus the “Gentle Art” or “Art of Suppleness” (this is the meaning of ju-jitsu in Japanese) does not neutralize power with power but aims to rationally absorb an attack and convert that energy to the opponent’s own detriment.
The golden age of ju-jitsu lasted until 1869, date on which the emperor’s return to Japan and the subsequent abolition of feudalism made the samurai lose their privileged status. Samurai tradition nevertheless kept ju-jitsu alive and travellers brought the art to all four corners of the world.


In more recent years, the essence of other martial arts, such as judo and aikido, has developed from ju-jitsu, extracting specific aspects of their martial art forefather. An international governing body was established in 1977 – between the founding members Italy, Germany and Sweden – in order to develop the sporting aspects of ju-jitsu. Since then, the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) has become a structured federation organized in Continental Unions, coordinated by a central Board and supported by Committees.
JJIF organizes World and Continental Championships, International Camps, seminars, and an annual Congress and General Assembly.
JJIF is Member of GAISF and IWGA since 1994.


Ju-Jitsu Competitions
The Ju-Jitsu International Federation currently contemplates two different types of competitions at world level: the Duo System and the Fighting System.
The former is a discipline in which a pair of jutsukas from the same team show possible self-defense techniques against a series of 12 attacks, randomly called by the mat referee to cover the following scenarios: grip attack (or strangulation), embrace attack (or necklock), hit attack (punch or kick) and armed attack (stick or knife). The Duo System has three competition categories: male, female or mixed, and the athletes are judged for their speed, accuracy, control and realism. It is arguably the most spectacular form of ju-jitsu competition and it requires great technical preparation, synchronism and elevated athletic qualities.


With a different approach, the Fighting System is articulated in a series of two-round, one-on-one combats between athletes from opposing teams. The system is divided in 10 categories according to weight and sex (male categories: -62 kg, -69kg, -77kg, -85kg, -94kg, +94kg; female categories –55kg, -62kg, -70kg, +70kg).
The actual combat is divided in three parts: Part I sees the Jutsukas involved in distance combat and controlled attacks with arms and legs. Once a grab has been made, the fight enters Part II and hits are no longer allowed. The Jutsukas try to bring one another down with various throwing techniques. Points are given according to how 'clean' and effective the actions are judged. Once down on the tatamis (mats), the match enters its Part III. Here points are given for immobilization techniques, controlled strangulations or levers on body joints that bring the opponent to yield. The winner is the Jutsuka who has accumulated most points during the fight. This type of competition requires timing, agility, strength and endurance.