Ippon
Immediate victory when a permitted technique knocks down or incapacitates the opponent for three seconds or more, or when the opponent cannot continue after a valid impact.
So-Kyokushin Kumite
Rules
The tournament will follow full-contact Kyokushin kumite rules, with bout times and protective equipment adapted according to age, sex and experience. Competitor safety and the authority of tournament officials and medical staff take precedence throughout the event.
Area and officials: bouts take place on an 8 × 8 metre tatami with four corner judges and one central referee. Decisions require a majority of three of the five officials.
Bout result
Victory and decision criteria
Waza-ari
A half point when the opponent falls or is affected for less than three seconds and regains the ability to continue. Two Waza-ari equal one Ippon.
Hantei and Hikiwake
If there is no direct victory, officials consider effective damage, initiative, fighting spirit, attitude and activity. If the competitors remain equal, the category’s prescribed extension applies.
Penalties
Infractions may escalate from a warning to Chui, Genten and disqualification. Repeated or serious fouls, disobeying the referee or unsportsmanlike conduct may decide the bout.
Younger competitors: a controlled high kick that reaches the head cleanly may be awarded Waza-ari according to the officials’ judgment and the category’s protective equipment.
Protocol
Beginning, conduct and end of the bout
Entry, bow and start
Competitors enter the area, bow to the front, the referee and each other, take their positions and begin only after the command Hajime.
Penalties
When an infraction occurs, the referee stops the action and considers the judges’ signals. Fouls may escalate from a warning to Chui, Genten and disqualification.
Officials’ decision
The judges signal scores, fouls or actions they did not observe. The central referee gathers the signals and announces the decision supported by the majority.
End of the bout
The bout ends by Ippon, two Waza-ari, decision at the end of regulation time, or when the referee determines that it cannot continue.
Winner declaration
The competitors return to their marks. The referee announces the official result and indicates the winner according to the officials’ decision.
Closing and Akushu
After the announcement, both competitors bow to the referee, bow to each other, perform Akushu as a sign of respect and bow to the front before leaving the tatami.
After the bout: awards are presented according to the official results of each category.
Uniform and safety
Mandatory equipment
- A clean, white karategi in good condition.
- Men do not wear a shirt under the dogi.
- Women wear a soft chest protector under a white shirt; it must not cover the solar plexus.
- A groin protector is mandatory.
- A mouthguard is optional.
- Hand wraps require authorization from the tournament doctor.
- Short fingernails and toenails.
- Eyeglasses may not be worn during competition.
- No protection beyond that specified for the category is permitted.
- MMA-style gloves may not exceed 4 oz.
- No jewelry, watches or accessories.
- Each competitor must arrive with complete equipment in good condition.
Hand wraps and gloves
Shin guards
Chest and groin protection
Protection by division
| Division | Protection |
|---|---|
| Girls · all levels | Headgear with face shield, chest, groin, shin guards and gloves |
| Boys · all levels | Headgear with face shield, groin, shin guards and gloves |
| Junior female · beginners | Headgear, chest, groin, shin guards and gloves |
| Junior female · intermediate and advanced | Headgear, chest, groin and shin guards |
| Junior male · beginners | Headgear, groin, shin guards and gloves |
| Junior male · intermediate | Headgear, groin and shin guards |
| Junior male · advanced | Headgear and groin protector |
| Adult female · beginners | Headgear, chest, groin, shin guards and gloves |
| Adult female · intermediate and advanced | Chest, groin and shin guards |
| Adult male · beginners | Headgear, groin, shin guards and gloves |
| Adult male · intermediate | Groin protector and shin guards |
| Adult male · advanced | Groin protector |
| Women 40+ | Chest, groin and shin guards |
| Men 40+ | Groin protector and shin guards |
Kumite techniques
Permitted actions
Punches and elbow strikes to the body, kicks and knee strikes to valid target areas, and controlled sweeps without grabbing are permitted.
Safety and conduct
Prohibited actions
Attacks to vulnerable areas, grabbing, pushing, throws, ground fighting, attacks against a downed opponent and conduct contrary to the spirit of karate are prohibited.
Shared responsibility
Compete safely and respectfully
Coaches and competitors must know these rules, follow the officials’ instructions and arrive with the equipment required for their division.