Rules of Kumite Competition
1. JUDGING PRINCIPLES AND BASIC REQUIREMENTS
A. The competitorsʼ safety
The competitorsʼ safety should always be the main priority of the match oﬃcials.
In case of an accident the judge must stay calm and act promptly to check the state of
the competitor, and if necessary, call the tournament doctor.
B. Judging principles and requirements
The panel of judges and the review panel shall have equal authority in judging the events, but
the ﬁnal decision rests with the Head Judge.
The speciﬁed time of free-style ﬁght (Kumite) shall be as follows. In case it is deemed necessary ,the Head Judge may allow extra time.
When an unavoidable situation arises, the Head Judge may decide to change the tournamentschedule after consultation with the the match oﬃcials, and the Review panel.
The judge must be able to make fair judgements, make the correct signals and announcement
at any time.
C. Corner judges, main judge and judging criteria
1. The bouts will be judged by 5 judges; 4 assistant judges (corner judges) and 1 main judge.
2. The judge gives all commands and announces all decisions.
3. Each judge, including the main judge, has one vote.
4. All decisions must be majority vote of at least three of the ﬁve judges.

2. FREE-STYLE FIGHT (KUMITE)
A. Basic Principles
1. Victory is awarded to the contestant;- who has scored one full point.
- who has scored two half points, which make one full point.
- who won by decision.
- whose opponent was disqualiﬁed or failed to take part in the bout without good reason.
2. Duration of the match and extension procedure
The extension procedure and duration of the bouts will diverge in preliminaries, semi-ﬁnals
and ﬁnals as follows:<Adult Man, 18 years old or older>•Preliminaries: 2 min; 2 min; 2 min (Final extension)•Semi-ﬁnals and Finals: 3 min; 2 min; 2 min (Final extension)<Adult Woman, 18 years old or older><Under 18><Under 15><Under 13>•Preliminaries: 2 min; 2 min (Final extension)•Semi-ﬁnals and Finals: 2 min; 2 min; 2 min (Final extension)<Other classes, 46-51 years old, 51-56 years old, 56 years old or older>•Preliminaries: 1.5 min; 1.5 min (Final extension)•Semi-ﬁnals and Finals: 1.5 min; 1.5 min; 1 min (Final extension)*There is no weight determination.
*In the ﬁnal extension a winner has to be decided and the judges can not declare a draw
and each judge must declare a win to one of the competitors.

Rules of IBKO Kumite Competition

1Rules of Kumite Competition
3. Obligatory protections<Adult Man, 18 years old or older>•Groin protector<Adult Man, 46-51 years old, 51-56 years old, 56 years old or older>•Hands, Shin, Groin protector (Use of knee protector is optional)<Under 18 years old, Boy>
•Hands, Shin, Groin protector (Use of head and knee protector is optional)<Under 15 years old, Boy> <Under 13 years old, Boy>
•Head, Hands, Shin, Groin protector (Use of knee protector is optional)<Adult Woman, 18 years old or older><Under 18 years old, Girl>•Hands, Shin, Chest, Lower abdomen protector (Use of head and knee protector is optional)<Under 15 years old, Girl>•Head, Hands, Shin, Chest, Lower abdomen protector (Use of knee protector is optional)
Protectors
Class
Adult Man, 18years old or older
Adult Man, over 46 years old
Under 18 years old, Boy
Under 15/13 years old, Boy
Adult / Under 18 years old, Girl
Under 15 years old, Girl

Head

Hands

Shin

Knee

Groin

X
X
optionO
option
O

X
O
O
O
O
O

X
O
O
O
O
O

X
optionoptionoptionoptionoption

O
O
O
O
X
X

Lower
abdomen
X
X
X
X
O
O

Chest
X
X
X
X
O
O

*All protective gear must be prepared by the participants themselves.
They must have the same level of protection and keeps similar aesthetic as one
homologated by the organizer. Please review the attached sheet, Guideline for protectors.
And they must be approved by the organizer before using for the tournament.
Protectors homologated by the organizer can be purchased at the place of the tournament.
*Use of a mouthpiece is recommended.
*Groin protector and lower abdomen protector should be put under the pants.
*Other protectors than glove will be uniﬁed in white cloth. Use of leather is not permitted.
*Inner T-shirts for ladies and girls will be uniﬁed in white.
*Protection by taping requires the tournament doctorʼ s permission.
4. Clothing
Each competitor must wear clean white “karate gi” and put the number cloth to the centerof the back.
B. Full-Point (Ippon) Victory
5. Excluding the techniques listed as fouls, a thrust (tsuki), kick (geri), elbow strike (hiji), etc.
which vigorously downs the opponent for more than three seconds or results in the
opponentʼ s loss of his/her will to ﬁght scores one full-point.
C. Half-Point (Waza-ari) awarding
6. Excluding the techniques listed as fouls, a thrust (tsuki), kick (geri), elbow strike (hiji), etc.
which downs the opponent or results in the opponentʼ s loss of his will to ﬁght for less than
three seconds after which he stands up and resumes the ﬁght scores one half-point.
Similarly, when one opponent loses his balance but does not fall down as a result of theother contestantʼ s thrust (tsuki) , kick (geri), elbow strike (hiji) etc. one half-point is declared.
Excluding the class “Adult Men” , when kick (geri) is cleanly hit to the opponentʼ s head
which has not been completely defensed, one half-point is also declared.
Rules of IBKO Kumite Competition

2

Rules of Kumite Competition
7. When an opponent is downed with any technique, and a well focused, but non-contact,
downward punch (gedan tsuki) follows immediately as part of a combination one half-point
will be awarded.
8. Two declarations of half-point constitute a full-point victory.
D. Victory by Decision (Hantei)
9. When no clean one-point victory or no disqualiﬁcation has been made, the victory is awarded
by decision.
The decision will be made according to the following order of priority:(1) the competitor who got half-point (Waza-ari)(2) the competitor who gave a damage to the opponent(3) the competitor who made eﬀective attacks more than the opponent(4) the competitor who fought out the spirit more than the opponent
In case there is fouls (Hansoku) declared to one or both competitors, the decision will be madeaccording to the criteria of the decision which is shown in the attachment.
10. The decision is valid when it is based on the judgement of at least three of ﬁve judges.
E. Extensions ( Enchosen)
11. When a decision cannot be reached on the basis of the judgement of at least three of ﬁve
judges, a draw (Hikiwake) is declared and extensions are granted.
12. One bout will have up to two extensions after the ﬁrst round. After the second extension,a decision must be made. For the preliminary of other classes than “Adult Men” , only one
extention is allowed.
F. Fouls ( Hansoku)
13. The following actions are considered fouls:(1) Touching the opponentʼ s face , neck and throat even slightly with a hand (punch) or
elbow attack. (GANMEN-KOGEKI)(2) Groin kicks (KINTEKI-GERI)(3) Head thrusts (ZU-TSUKI)(4) Attacking an opponent who is already down (TAORETA AITE ENO KOGEKI)(5) Attacking from behind (HAIGO KARANO KOGEKI)(6) Grabbing the opponentʼ s neck (Clinch) (KAKE)(7) Grabbing (TSUKAMI) and holding (KAKAEKOMI) the opponentʼ s uniform(karate-gi),arms and legs and throwing the opponentʼ s body (NAGE)(8) Pushing with open hands (SHOTEI-OSHI) or closed hands (SEIKEN-OSHI)(9) Such repeated actions as falling down and stepping out right after kicking or punchingoneʼ s opponent (KAKENIGE)(10) Stepping outside the area frequently(11) Such desperate kick as “Kaiten Dou Mawashi Geri” , etc. is valid only once in a bout.
(once in the ﬁrst bout and once in each extensions are valid.) The second one isconsidered as foul.
(12) Any other actions that the judges may regard as foulRules of IBKO Kumite Competition

3

Rules of Kumite Competition
14. Excluding deliberate actions, fouls result in one warning (Chui).
Four declarations of warning (Chui) result in disqualiﬁcation (Shikkaku).
Warning will be given to the competitor who makes foul before the opponent.
In case of vicious foul disqualiﬁcation may be declared.
G. Penalties (Genten)
15. The following situations result in one penalty:(1) Two warnings(2) Deliberate foul(3) Other actions that main judge may consider as a bad attitude towards the contest.
16. Two penalties constitute disqualiﬁcation.
H. Disqualiﬁcation (Shikkaku)
17. The following situations result in disqualiﬁcation:(1) Two penalties(2) Failing to obey the judgeʼ s instructions during a bout.
(3) Actions considered as sheer violence, deliverate serious fouls and deliberate bad
attitude towards the contest.
(4) Being late for bout or failing to appear.
(5) In case the weighing result which is done on the inscription day is in excess ofthe speciﬁed limit. The weight in will be done wearing “Karate gi” and the excess
within 2kgs will be allowed, considering the weight of the clothes.
(6) If there is diﬀerence over 5kgs between the declared weight and the weighing result,it also may be disqualiﬁed.
(7) When the opponent cannot continue to ﬁght because of damage caused by foul.
I. Others
18. Any protest against the decision shall not be permitted.

Rules of IBKO Kumite Competition

4

Rules of Kumite Competition for children
1. JUDGING PRINCIPLES AND BASIC REQUIREMENTS
A. The competitorsʼ safety
The competitorsʼ safety should always be the main priority of the match oﬃcials.
In case of an accident the referee must stay calm and act promptly to check the state of
the competitor, and if necessary, call the tournament doctor.
B. Judging principles and requirements
The panel of judges and the review panel shall have equal authority in judging the events, but
the ﬁnal decision rests with the Head Judge.
The speciﬁed time of free-style ﬁght (Kumite) shall be as follows. In case it is deemed necessary ,the Head Judge may allow extra time.
When an unavoidable situation arises, the Head Judge may decide to change the tournamentschedule after consultation with the the match oﬃcials, and the Review panel.
The judge must be able to make fair judgements, make the correct signals and announcement
at any time.
C. Corner judges, main judge and judging criteria
1. The bouts will be judged by 5 judges; 4 assistant judges (corner judges) and 1 main judge.
2. The judge gives all commands and announces all decisions.
3. Each judge, including the main judge, has one vote.
4. All decisions must be majority vote of at least three of the ﬁve judges.

2. FREE-STYLE FIGHT (KUMITE)
A. Basic Principles
1. Victory is awarded to the contestant;- who has scored one full point.
- who has scored two half points, which make one full point.
- who won by decision.
- whose opponent was disqualiﬁed or failed to take part in the bout without good reason.
2. Duration of the match and extention procedure
The extention procedure and duration of the bouts will diverge in preliminaries andﬁnals as follows:•Preliminaries: 1 min 30 sec ; 1 min (Final extension)•Finals: 1 min 30 sec ; 1 min; 1 min (Final extension)*There is no weight determination.
*In the ﬁnal extension a winner has to be decided and the judges can not declare a draw
and each judge must declare a win to one of the competitors.

Rules of IBKO Kumite Competition for children

1Rules of Kumite Competition for children
3. Obligatory protections※As to the age, please see the tournament guideline<Under 3rd grade of elementary school, boy>•Head, Hands, Shin, Groin protector<Under 3rd grade of elementary school, girl>•Head, Hands, Shin, Lower abdomen protector<3rd grade of elementary school and over, boy>•Head, Hands, Shin, Knee, Groin protector<3rd grade of elementary school and over, girl>•Head, Hands, Shin, Knee, Chest, Lower abdomen protector
Protectors
Class
Under 3rd grade, boy
Under 3rd grade, girl3rd grade & over, boy
3rd grade & over, girl

Head

Hands

Shin

Knee

Groin

O
O
O
O

O
O
O
O

O
O
O
O

X
X
O
O

O
X
O
X

Lower
abdomen
X
O
X
O

Chest
X
X
X
O

*All protective gear must be prepared by the participants themselves.
They must have the same level of protection and keeps similar aesthetic as one
homologated by the organizer. Please review the attached sheet, Guideline for protectors.
And they must be approved by the organizer before using for the tournament.
Protectors homologated by the organizer can be purchased at the place of the tournament.
*The headguards should be white and the front must be attached.
*Groin protector and lower abdomen protector should be put under the pants.
*Other protectors than head guard and hands protector for Youth classes will be uniﬁed
in white cloth. Use of leather is not permitted.
*Inner T-shirts for girls will be uniﬁed in white.
*Protection by taping requires the tournament doctorʼ s permission.
4. Clothing
Each competitor must wear clean white “karate gi” and put the number cloth to the centerof the back.
B. Full-Point (Ippon) Victory
5. Excluding the techniques listed as fouls, a thrust (tsuki), kick (geri), etc. which vigorously
downs the opponent or results in the opponentʼ s loss of his/her will to ﬁght or makehim/her cry scores one full-point.
C. Half-Point (Waza-ari) awarding
6. Excluding the techniques listed as fouls, a thrust (tsuki), kick (geri), etc., by whichmovement of the opponent stops temporarily or his/her balance is lost or he/she bends
his/her body or limps scores one half-point.
When kick (geri) is cleanly hit to the opponentʼ s head which has not been completely
defensed, one half-point is also declared. The upper knee kick (jodan hiza geri) is
prohibited for children classes.

Rules of IBKO Kumite Competition for children

2Rules of Kumite Competition for children
7. When an opponent is downed with any technique, and a well focused, but non-contact,
downward punch (gedan tsuki) follows immediately as part of a combination, one half-point
will be awarded. In child classes, downward punch (gedan tsuki) is not always needed.
The decision depends on judges.
8. If kicks (geri) of both competitors are cleanly hit to the opponentʼ s head at the same time,those will not be regarded as one half-point.
9. Two declarations of half-point constitute a full-point victory.
D. Victory by Decision (Hantei)
10. When no clean one-point victory or no disqualiﬁcation has been made, the victory is awarded
by decision.
The decision will be made according to the following order of priority:(1) the competitor who got half-point (Waza-ari)(2) the competitor who gave a damage to the opponent(3) the competitor who made eﬀective attacks more than the opponent(4) the competitor who fought out the spirit more than the opponent
In case there is fouls (Hansoku) declared to one or both competitors, the decision will be madeaccording to the criteria of the decision which is shown in the attachment.
11. The decision is valid when it is based on the judgement of at least three of ﬁve judges.
E. Extensions ( Enchosen)
12. When a decision cannot be reached on the basis of the judgement of at least three of ﬁve
judges, a draw (Hikiwake) is declared and extensions are granted.
13. Except ﬁnal match, only one extension is allowed. For ﬁnals, one bout will have up to two
extensions. After the last extension, a decision must be made.
F. Fouls ( Hansoku)
14. The following actions are considered fouls:(1) Touching the opponentʼ s face, neck and throat with a hand (punch) or elbow attack.
(GANMEN)(2) Groin kicks (KINTEKI-GERI)(3) Head thrusts (ZU-TSUKI)(4) Upper knee kick (only for child classes) *If itʼ s hit to the oponent, one warning will be given.
(5) Attacking an opponent who is already down (TAORETA AITE ENO KOGEKI)(5) Attacking from behind (HAIGO KARANO KOGEKI)(6) Grabbing the opponentʼ s neck (KAKE)(7) Grabbing (TSUKAMI) and holding (KAKAEKOMI) the opponentʼ s uniform(karate-gi),arms and legs and throwing the opponentʼ s body (NAGE)(8) Pushing with open hands (SHOTEI-OSHI) or closed hands (SEIKEN-OSHI)(9) Putting the head or the body against the opponent attack (ATAMA WO TSUKETENO KOGEKI)

Rules of IBKO Kumite Competition for children

3

Rules of Kumite Competition for children(10) Such repeated actions as falling down and stepping out right after kicking or punchingoneʼ s opponent (KAKENIGE)(11) Stepping outside the area frequently(12) Such desperate kick as “Kaiten Dou Mawashi Geri” ,etc. is valid only once in a bout.
(once in the ﬁrst bout and once in each extensions are valid.) The second one is considered
as foul.
(13) Contracting the distance between himself(herself) and an opponent without attacking
intentionally in order to stop the opponentʼ s attack.
(14) Any other actions that the judges may regard as foul
15. Excluding deliberate actions, fouls result in one warning (Chui).
Four declarations of warning (Chui) result in disqualiﬁcation (Shikkaku).
Warning will be given to the competitor who makes foul before the opponent.
In case of vicious foul disqualiﬁcation may be declared.
G. Penalties (Genten)
16. The following situations result in one penalty:(1) Two warnings(2) Deliberate foul(3) Other actions that main judge may consider as a bad attitude towards the contest.
17. Two penalties constitute disqualiﬁcation.
H. Disqualiﬁcation (Shikkaku)
18. The following situations result in disqualiﬁcation:(1) Two penalties(2) Failing to obey the judgeʼ s instructions during a bout.
(3) Actions considered as sheer violence, deliverate serious fouls and deliberate bad
attitude towards the contest.
(4) Vomiting during the vout
(5) Being late for bout or failing to appear.
(6) In case the weighing result which is done on the inscription day is in excess ofthe speciﬁed limit. The weight in will be done wearing “Karate gi” and the excess
within 2kgs will be allowed, considering the weight of the clothes.
(7) If there is diﬀerence over 5kgs between the declared weight and the weighing result,it also may be disqualiﬁed.
(8) When the opponent cannot continue to ﬁght because of damage caused by foul.
I. Others
19. Any protest against the decision shall not be permitted.

Rules of IBKO Kumite Competition for children

4Rules of Kumite Competition (Guidelines for protectors)
Protectors
Class
Adult Man, 18years old or older
Adult Man, over 46 years old
Under 18 years old, Boy
Under 15 /13 years old, Boy
Adult / Under 18 years old, Girl
Under 15 years old, GirlChild, under 3rd grade, boy
Child, under 3rd grade, girlChild, 3rd grade & over, boy
Child, 3rd grade & over, girl

Head

Hands

Shin

Knee

Groin

X
X
optionO
option
O
O
O
O
O

X
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O

X
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O

X
optionoptionoptionoptionoption
X
O
O
O

O
O
O
O
X
X
O
X
O
X

Lower
abdomen
X
X
X
X
O
O
X
O
X
O

Chest
X
X
X
X
O
O
X
X
X
O

Besides this illustration, please read the rule of kumite competion (3. obligatory protections)
HEAD

Headguards should be white, as shown above, and should be prepared by the competitor.
A set of red cords to be worn around the waist for the red corner should also be prepared.
They will be sold at the place of the championship.
If the player of Under18 / Adult Woman classes wears a head guard, the front should be removed
The front will be attached for Under 15, Under 13 and Child classes.

HANDS 【Open ﬁnger type leather gloves】 for classes except Child

Open ﬁnger type leather gloves will be prepared by the organizer.
The gloves will be sold at the place of the championship.

HANDS 【Gloves made by white cloth】 for Child classes

Each competitor must prepare gloves of the same material and shape.
The gloves will be sold at the place of the championship.

Rules of IBKO Kumite Competition (Gildeline for protectors)

1Rules of Kumite Competition (Guideline for protectors)
SHIN

Each competitor must prepare shin pads of the same material and shape.
The shin pads will be sold at the place of the championship.

KNEE

Each competitor must prepare knee pads of the same material and shape.
The knee pads will be sold at the place of the championship.

LOWER ABDOMEN

Each lady competitor must prepare lower abdomen protectorof the same material and shape.
The protector will be sold at the place of the championship.

CHEST GUARD

Each lady competitor must prepare chest guard of the same materialand shape. The product made in hard plastic is prohibited.
The protector will be sold at the place of the championship.

The chest guard covering up the whole trunk
is prohibited.

Rules of IBKO Kumite Competition (Guideline for protectors)

2

IBKO
International Budo Karate Organization
KYOKUSHINKAIKAN

Rules of KYOKUSHIN Kumite Competition

full-point victory (Ippon)=【criteria of the decision】

one half-point (Waza-ari)

one penalty (Genten)

four warnings (Chui)=

three warnings (Chui)two penalties (Genten)=

two warnings (Chui)=

one warning (Chui)

two half-points (Waza-ari)disqualiﬁcation (Shikkaku)

０
０

one
warningtwowarnings
twoor = warnings

three
warnings

fourwarnings

If there is diﬀerence of two warnings, the contestant declared two more than the other basically will lose. But if
his/her oﬀence is superior to the other at a rate of 8:2 or more, it is a draw, except ﬁnal extension.
If there is diﬀerence of three warnings, the contestant declared three more than the other will lose, unless he/shegets one half-point.

threewarnings

０

four
warnings

０
one
warningone
warningthree
or = warnings

one + onehalf-point warning

０

When the contestant is declared the 4th time warning, he/she will be disqualiﬁed.
In this case, there is diﬀerence of two warnings. So the contestant declared two more than the other basically will
lose. But if his/her oﬀence is superior to the other at a rate of 8:2 or more, it is a draw, except ﬁnal extension.

four
warnings
fourwarnings

twowarnings０

The diﬀerence of one warning does not aﬀect the decision excluding ﬁnal extension.
When the 4th time warning is declared, he/she will be disqualiﬁed.

one + twohalf-point warnings
one + twohalf-point warnings

When the contestant is declared the 4th time warning, he/she will be disqualiﬁed. The number of warnings will not
oﬀset.
When the contestant is declared the 4th time warning, he/she will be disqualiﬁed. The number of warnings will not
oﬀset.

one + threehalf-point warnings

one

one + four
half-point warnings

one + four
half-point warnings

Because one half-point is scored, he/she will basically win. But if the otherʼ soﬀence is superior to him/her at a rate of 8:2 or more, it is a draw,
except ﬁnal extension, because he/she is declared three more warnings.
Even if one half-point is scored, when he/she is declared the 4th time warning,he/she will be disqualiﬁed.
There is diﬀerence of two warnings. So the contestant declared two more thanthe other basically will lose. But if his/her oﬀence is superior to the other at a
rate of 8:2 or more, it is a draw, except ﬁnal extension.

one + four
half-point warnings

When the contestant is declared the 4th time warning, he/she will bedisqualiﬁed. The number of warnings will not oﬀset.

one + four
half-point warnings

When the contestant is declared the 4th time warning, he/she will bedisqualiﬁed. The number of warnings will not oﬀset.

threeor = half-point +warnings

００
one + onehalf-point warning

one

three

or = half-point +warnings

one + onehalf-point warning
one + twohalf-point warnings

The diﬀerence of one warning does not aﬀect the decision excluding ﬁnal
extension. When the 4th time warning is declared, he/she will be disqualiﬁed.
There is diﬀerence of two warnings. But the contestant declared two morewarnings than the other gets one half-point, so he/she will win.