Effective from 01/01/2026 there are some changes to the WKF
Competition Rules. This is mostly adjustment of the language
and alignment between the documents describing each type of
event and the actual competition rules. Nevertheless, there are
several points that require the attention of athletes and
coaches:
New system for kata competition
The winner of a Kata bout or Match will be determined by number of votes in favor of
the winner. The points will still be used to distinguish the winner by each judge, but
there is no summation of points. This will eliminate the problem of our previous
system where the winner in some cases only had the support of the minority of
judges, just because one judge consistently used very high or very low scores.
Theatrics in Kata
In the spirit of preserving the nature of kata, some adjustments has been done to
reduce needless theatrics. The Athletes will be expected to announce the name
kata in a recognizable way, use correct kiai rather than simply yelling, and will also
run the risk of disqualification in the case of persistent and obvious repetition of
theatrics, such as stamping the feet, slapping the chest, arms, or karategi, or
inappropriate exhalation.
Attire and protective equipment
The karategi must not be altered or manipulated to change its shape. If you arrive at
the tatami with a starched ducktail or puƯed up chest, you should expect to be
asked to remedy this as you would be for any other irregularity of attire. Prescription
sport glasses will now be allowed in kata competition.
Scoring on a downed opponent
The most important change in Kumite is that only hand techniques will be allowed
towards a downed opponent. Kicking a downed opponent will thus be a foul.
Enforcement of all scoring criteria
For some time the scoring criteria of maintaining attention at the opponent after a
technique has often been ignored. The importance of this criteria will now be
emphasized. If you turn away after landing a punch, or fall down after a kick, do not
expect to get a score!
Skin touch in all Kumite categories
So called “skin touch”, defined as touching without transferring energy into the
target, being the head or helmet, will be allowed in all oƯicial kumite categories. This
does of course demand the full respect of all organizers to strictly enforce the use
of the protective helmet for athletes under 14 years of age, who will still be given
scores for hand techniques 5 cm short of target and foot techniques 10 cm short of
target.
Simplification of Jogai
You will also find the rules for Jogai simplified. If you score and then exit no Jogai will
be given. If you are scored on while in Jogai, you will not get Joagi in addition to the
point against you.
Video review
When requesting video review, the coach will now use the designated button for 1,
2 or 3 points, and the Video Review Judge will only be required to look for the score
requested.
Mixed Team Kumite
Although not on the WKF oƯicial program, a number of NFs have arranged mixed
team Kumite competitions. We have therefore found it convenient to include this in
our competition rules to give some guidance. Teams will always have an equal
number of athletes of each gender. Every other bout will always be of the opposite
gender. The draw will determine which gender will compete first. Teams can be 2 +
2 without weight categories or 3 + 3 with weight categories as used for muti-sport
events.
Para Karate
There is not a great deal of change in the Para Karate at these crossroads. For K10
(Visually Impaired Athletes), blindfolds moving out of the correct position so that
they partially or fully uncover one or both eyes during the performance will now be
considered ground for disqualification. There is also a revision of the definition of
the foul of losing balance versus falls that constitutes grounds for disqualification.
Gunnar Nordahl
Chairman
WKF Rules & World Ranking Commission
