Karate World Championships

Kumite Rules

The result of a bout is determined by a contestant obtaining a clear lead of eight points, having the highest number of points at time-up, obtaining a decision (hantei ), or by an accumulation of prohibited behaviors imposed against a contestant.

Scoring & Penalties

• Ippon (three points)
  • Jodan (head, face, neck) kicks
  • Any scoring technique delivered on a thrown or fallen opponent
• Waza-ari (two points)
  • Chudan (abdomen, chest, back, side) kicks
• Yuko (one point)
  • Tsuki (punch)
  • Uchi (strike)
• Prohibited behavior
  • Category 1
    • Techniques which make excessive contact, in regards to the scoring area attacked, or make contact with the throat
    • Attacks to the arms or legs, groin, joints, or instep
    • Attacks to the face with open hand techniques
    • Dangerous or forbidden throwing techniques
  • Category 2
    • Feigning or exaggerating injury
    • Exit from the competition area (jogai ) not caused by the opponent
    • Self-endangerment by indulging in behavior which exposes the contestant to injury by the opponent, or failing to take adequate measures for self-protection (mubobi )
    • Avoiding combat as a means of preventing the opponent having the opportunity to score
    • Passivity – not attempting to engage in combat (cannot be given after less than the last 10 seconds of the match)
    • Clinching, wrestling, pushing, or standing chest-to-chest without attempting a scoring technique or takedown
    • Grabbing the opponent with both hands for any other reason than executing a takedown upon catching the opponent's kicking leg
    • Grabbing the opponent's arm or karategi (uniform) with one hand without immediately attempting a scoring technique or takedown
    • Techniques which, by their nature, cannot be controlled for the safety of the opponent, and other dangerous and uncontrolled attacks
    • Simulated attacks with the head, knees, or elbows
    • Talking to or goading the opponent
    • Failing to obey the orders of the referee
• Warnings and penalties
  • Chukoku is imposed for the first instance of a minor infraction in the applicable category.
  • Keikoku is imposed for the second instance of a minor infraction in that category, or for infractions not serious enough to merit hansoku-chui.
  • Hansoku-chui is a warning of disqualification usually imposed for infractions for which a keikoku has previously been given in that bout; it may be imposed directly for serious infringements which do not merit hansoku.
  • Hansoku is the penalty of disqualification following a very serious infraction or when a hansoku-chui has already been given. In team matches, the offender's score will be zeroed and the opponent's score will be set at eight points.