Karate World Championships

Karate World Championships
The Karate World Championships, also known as the World Karate Championships, are the highest level of competition for karate organized by the World Karate Federation (WKF). The competition is held in a different city every two years. Championships in the 2000s included Madrid in 2002, Monterrey in 2004, Tampere in 2006, Tokyo in 2008, and Belgrade in 2010. The competition was initially riddled with controversy regarding karate styles and the ruleset.
In 1980, women were first allowed to compete in the championships.
Competition and events
Kumite
Individual kumite – men and women
Team kumite – men and women
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.
Shikkaku is a penalty of disqualification in which the offender is expelled from the entire tournament. Generally, it is given for particularly severe infringements, beyond that which would normally result in hansoku being given. In a team match, the offender’s score is set to zero, and the non-offender’s score is set to eight points, as with a normal hansoku.
Kata
Individual kata – men and women
Team kata (synchronized) – men and women
Team kata with bunkai
Rules
1. Conformity - with standards in form and style (Ryu-ha)
2. Technical performance:
Techniques
Stances
Transitional movements
Timing/Synchronisation
Correct breathing
Focus (Kime)
Technical difficulty
3. Athletic performance:
Strength
Speed
Balance
Rhythm
4. Fouls:
Minor loss of balance
Performing a movement in an incorrect or incomplete manner
Asynchronous movement
Use of audible cues
Belt coming loose
Time wasting
Cause injury in the execution of Bunkai
List of Karate World Championships
All-time medal table
The following reflects the all-time medal counts as of the 2021 World Karate Championships:
See also
Asian Karate Championships
References
External links
Official WKF site
World Karate Federation Results
Medal Table
Karate
World Championships
Recurring sporting events established in 1970