{"id":923,"date":"2026-01-01T17:07:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T15:07:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gojuryu-southerncape.co.za\/?p=923"},"modified":"2026-04-27T12:13:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T10:13:26","slug":"wkf-competition-rules-revision-effective-from-1-jan-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gojuryu-southerncape.co.za\/index.php\/2026\/01\/01\/wkf-competition-rules-revision-effective-from-1-jan-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"WKF Competition Rules Revision effective from 1 Jan 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Effective from 01\/01\/2026 there are some changes to the WKF
\nCompetition Rules. This is mostly adjustment of the language
\nand alignment between the documents describing each type of
\nevent and the actual competition rules. Nevertheless, there are
\nseveral points that require the attention of athletes and
\ncoaches:<\/p>\n

New system for kata competition<\/h4>\n

The winner of a Kata bout or Match will be determined by number of votes in favor of
\nthe winner. The points will still be used to distinguish the winner by each judge, but
\nthere is no summation of points. This will eliminate the problem of our previous
\nsystem where the winner in some cases only had the support of the minority of
\njudges, just because one judge consistently used very high or very low scores.<\/p>\n

Theatrics in Kata<\/h4>\n

In the spirit of preserving the nature of kata, some adjustments has been done to
\nreduce needless theatrics. The Athletes will be expected to announce the name
\nkata in a recognizable way, use correct kiai rather than simply yelling, and will also
\nrun the risk of disqualification in the case of persistent and obvious repetition of
\ntheatrics, such as stamping the feet, slapping the chest, arms, or karategi, or
\ninappropriate exhalation.<\/p>\n

Attire and protective equipment<\/h4>\n

The karategi must not be altered or manipulated to change its shape. If you arrive at
\nthe tatami with a starched ducktail or pu\u01afed up chest, you should expect to be
\nasked to remedy this as you would be for any other irregularity of attire. Prescription
\nsport glasses will now be allowed in kata competition.<\/p>\n

Scoring on a downed opponent<\/h4>\n

The most important change in Kumite is that only hand techniques will be allowed
\ntowards a downed opponent. Kicking a downed opponent will thus be a foul.<\/p>\n

Enforcement of all scoring criteria<\/h4>\n

For some time the scoring criteria of maintaining attention at the opponent after a
\ntechnique has often been ignored. The importance of this criteria will now be
\nemphasized. If you turn away after landing a punch, or fall down after a kick, do not
\nexpect to get a score!<\/p>\n

Skin touch in all Kumite categories<\/h4>\n

So called \u201cskin touch\u201d, defined as touching without transferring energy into the
\ntarget, being the head or helmet, will be allowed in all o\u01aficial kumite categories. This
\ndoes of course demand the full respect of all organizers to strictly enforce the use
\nof the protective helmet for athletes under 14 years of age, who will still be given
\nscores for hand techniques 5 cm short of target and foot techniques 10 cm short of
\ntarget.<\/p>\n

Simplification of Jogai<\/h4>\n

You will also find the rules for Jogai simplified. If you score and then exit no Jogai will
\nbe given. If you are scored on while in Jogai, you will not get Joagi in addition to the
\npoint against you.<\/p>\n

Video review<\/h4>\n

When requesting video review, the coach will now use the designated button for 1,
\n2 or 3 points, and the Video Review Judge will only be required to look for the score
\nrequested.<\/p>\n

Mixed Team Kumite<\/h4>\n

Although not on the WKF o\u01aficial program, a number of NFs have arranged mixed
\nteam Kumite competitions. We have therefore found it convenient to include this in
\nour competition rules to give some guidance. Teams will always have an equal
\nnumber of athletes of each gender. Every other bout will always be of the opposite
\ngender. The draw will determine which gender will compete first. Teams can be 2 +
\n2 without weight categories or 3 + 3 with weight categories as used for muti-sport
\nevents.<\/p>\n

Para Karate<\/h4>\n

There is not a great deal of change in the Para Karate at these crossroads. For K10
\n(Visually Impaired Athletes), blindfolds moving out of the correct position so that
\nthey partially or fully uncover one or both eyes during the performance will now be
\nconsidered ground for disqualification. There is also a revision of the definition of
\nthe foul of losing balance versus falls that constitutes grounds for disqualification.<\/p>\n

Gunnar Nordahl
\nChairman
\nWKF Rules & World Ranking Commission<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>