Referees - WKF Kumite Rules
ARTICLE 3: ORGANISATION OF KUMITE COMPETITIONS
1. A Karate tournament may comprise Kumite competition and/or Kata competition. The Kumite competition may be further divided into the team match and the individual match. The individual match may be further divided into weight divisions and open category. Weight divisions are divided ultimately into bouts. The term “bout” also describes the individual Kumite competitions between opposing pairs of team members.
2. No contestant may be replaced by another in an individual title match.
3. Individual contestants or teams that do not present themselves when called will be disqualified (KIKEN) from that category.
4. Male teams comprise seven members with five competing in a round. Female teams comprise four members with three competing in a round.
5. The contestants are all members of the team. There are no fixed reserves.
6. Before each match, a team representative must hand into the official table, an official form defining the names and fighting order of the competing team members. The participants drawn from the full team of seven, or four members, and their fighting order, can be changed for each round provided the new fighting order is notified first, but once notified, it cannot then be changed until that round is completed.
7. A team will be disqualified if any of its members or its coach changes the team's composition or fighting order without written notification prior to the round.
EXPLANATION:
I. A “round” is a discrete stage in a competition leading to the eventual identification of finalists. In an elimination Kumite competition, a round eliminates fifty percent of contestants within it, counting byes as contestants. In this context, the round can apply equally to a stage in either primary elimination or repechage. In a matrix, or “round robin” competition, a round allows all contestants in a pool to fight once.
II. The use of contestants' names causes problems of pronunciation and identification. Tournament numbers should be allotted and used.
III. When lining up before a match, a team will present the actual fighters. The unused fighter(s) and the Coach will not be included and shall sit in an area set aside for them.
IV. In order to compete male teams must present at least three competitors and female teams must present at least two competitors. A team with less than the required number of competitors will forfeit the match (Kiken).
V. The fighting order form can be presented by the Coach, or a nominated contestant from the team. If the Coach hands in the form, he must be clearly identifiable as such; otherwise, it may be rejected. The list must include the name of the country or club the belt colour allotted to the team for that match and the fighting order of the team members. Both the competitor’s names and their tournament numbers must be included and the form signed by the coach, or a nominated person.
VI. If, through an error in charting, the wrong contestants compete, then regardless of the outcome, that bout/match is declared null and void. To reduce such errors the winner of each bout/match must confirm victory with the control table before leaving the area.
This is provided for your information. Please check the WKF website for any amendments or changes to this information or for the latest news. www.wkf.net
