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. 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. Kata. Rules. 1. Conformity - with standards in form and style (Ryu-ha) 2. Technical performance: 3. Athletic performance: 4. Fouls: All-time medal table. The following reflects the all-time medal counts as of the 2018 World Karate Championships: