Competition & Tournament Regulations
Understanding the Purpose and Rules of Competition
IBMA Kyokushin Kai regards karate and budo competition not merely as a means of determining winners and losers, but also as an important opportunity to evaluate the results of daily training and to develop technical skill, judgment, and mental discipline.
Competition formats, technical evaluation criteria, and safety standards may differ according to the purpose and characteristics of each competition.
Participants should therefore review the regulations applicable to each tournament or competition before taking part.
This page provides information on competition formats and regulations adopted or studied by IBMA Kyokushin Kai, as well as regulations and related information for competitions organized or administered by IBMA and other affiliated or cooperating organizations in Japan and abroad.
IBMA Kyokushin Kai Competition Regulations
The following sections provide information on the principal competition formats and regulations adopted or studied by IBMA Kyokushin Kai.
Kyokushin Karate Kumite Competition Regulations
These regulations define the competition format, technical evaluation, safety standards, judging criteria, and methods for determining the outcome of Kyokushin Karate kumite competition.
View the Kyokushin Karate Kumite Competition Regulations
Kyokushin Universal Style Competition Regulations
This competition format explores the technical possibilities of Kyokushin Karate from a broader perspective and seeks to achieve an appropriate balance among a wider range of techniques, competitive effectiveness, and safety.
View the Kyokushin Universal Style Competition Regulations
TS Protective-Equipment Karate Competition Regulations
This competition format uses protective equipment to evaluate striking techniques and offensive and defensive ability while placing particular emphasis on participant safety.
View the TS Protective-Equipment Karate Competition Regulations
Differences Between the Competition Formats
IBMA Kyokushin Kai considers it important for participants to understand the differences in the purpose, permitted techniques, judging methods, and safety considerations of each competition format.
Please refer to the following explanation for an overview of the characteristics and differences among the competition formats.
View the Differences Between the Three Competition Formats
International Competitions & Regulations of Related Organizations
IBMA Kyokushin Kai and IBMA engage in exchange and cooperation with budo organizations in Japan and around the world.
As a result, members may participate in tournaments and competitions conducted under regulations that differ from those independently adopted by IBMA Kyokushin Kai.
For international tournaments and competitions organized by related organizations, please confirm the organizing or administering body, the applicable competition regulations, eligibility requirements, and other conditions for each event.
Even when IBMA Kyokushin Kai or IBMA participates in, cooperates with, or supports a tournament, the competition regulations used for that tournament are not necessarily the independent competition regulations of IBMA Kyokushin Kai.
For Tournament Participants
Competition regulations, divisions, age categories, protective equipment, clothing, match duration, prohibited techniques, and judging methods may vary depending on the tournament or competition.
Participants should carefully review both the event information and the applicable competition regulations before participating.
For information about upcoming tournaments, venues, eligibility requirements, and application procedures, please visit the Events page.
Revision of Competition Regulations
Competition regulations may be revised when necessary on the basis of technical research, competition experience, safety evaluation, and feedback from instructors and participants.
Participants should always confirm the latest version of the competition regulations specified for each tournament.
