Kyokushin UniversalStyle Competition Regulations

 

Kyokushin UniversalStyle Competition Regulations

 

These Regulations constitute the official competition regulations establishing standards for the administration, officiating, and participation of Kyokushin UniversalStyle (hereinafter, the “Competition”). Hereinafter also referred to as the “Competition.”

Chapter 1 General Provisions (About Kyokushin Universal Style)

Article 1 (Purpose and Philosophy)

1. The purpose of the Competition is to enhance and integrate mind, skill, and body through the exercise of the martial technique of “striking.”

2. The Competition shall foster the “spirit of rei (courtesy),” which protects the dignity of the opponent and elevates one’s own dignity; avoid the exchange of futile damage; and aim to bring out the best in both sides’ techniques through offense and defense by means of effective strikes.

3. The Competition shall conform to the fundamental spirit of the Olympic Charter (established in 2011) and, through sport, shall aim at the realization of a peaceful society.

Article 2 (Name)

1. The name of the Competition shall be “Kyokushin UniversalStyle.”

2. Class divisions shall be established with consideration to age, sex, weight, and the like (as set forth in the Detailed Rules).

Article 3 (Competitors—Basics)

1. Competitors shall observe the philosophy and provisions of these Regulations and must register as competitors with IBMA.

2. Persons whose injuries, long hair, overgrown nails, uncleanliness, or other appearance likely to cause discomfort to spectators would hinder the progress of competition shall not be permitted to participate.

3. Persons suffering from acute inflammatory or infectious diseases, persons deemed unfit by the Doctor, or persons who do not comply with the Doctor’s recommendations shall not be permitted to participate.

4. If a competitor fails to exert full effort in competition, commits an intentional foul, or engages in other malicious conduct, measures such as deletion of competitor registration shall be taken after deliberation; an opportunity to explain shall be afforded prior to disposition.

5. A competitor who is late for the assembly time or the starting time of a match shall be disqualified.

6. The wearing of protective equipment to protect the instep, shin, knee, torso, head, fist, and the like is mandatory. The types and specifications of protective equipment shall be prescribed in the Detailed Rules.

Article 4 （Duration of Bout）

1. The main bout shall consist of two to three rounds of two to three minutes each.

2. If the total score over all rounds is tied, an extra round shall be held. Each extra round shall be one round of two minutes with a rest interval of thirty seconds to one minute.

3. Further extra rounds may be held; however, as a general rule, the total number of extra rounds shall not exceed two.

4. In the final extra round, a decision shall be rendered by the “10–9 must” system.

5. In tournaments for juniors, seniors, and the like, the Tournament Executive Committee may change the time and other matters.

Article 5 （Competition Area）

1. The main space shall be a square with each side measuring six to eight meters.

2. An out-of-bounds area of at least two meters shall be established outside the main space, and the boundary shall be clearly demarcated.

3. Mats shall have appropriate thickness and resilience with due regard to safety.

4. Scoreboards shall be installed at two or more locations within the venue so as to be visible to competitors and spectators.

Article 6 （Weigh-in）

1. Competitors in weight-class divisions must undergo weigh-in within the time designated by the Referees’ Committee and obtain approval.

2. Failure to complete weigh-in or exceeding the prescribed weight shall result in disqualification.

3. Prior to competition, competitors must undergo examination by the Doctor and provide proof that there is no problem with their health condition.

Article 7 （Attire and Protective Equipment）

1. The competition-approved protective equipment (head guard with face protection, torso protector, shin and fist protectors, and the like) authorized by the Tournament Executive Committee shall be used.Details are provided in the Detailed Rules.
2. Persons with injuries or conditions that hinder competition, long hair, nails, or appearance and the like shall not be permitted to participate.
3. Persons deemed unfit by the Doctor, or persons who do not comply with recommendations, shall not be permitted to participate.
4. A competitor who is late for the starting time shall be disqualified.
5. If, after registration, there is unilateral withdrawal or other non-performance, future competitor registration may be denied.

Article 8 （Coach / Second）

1. The number of seconds shall be one or fewer, and the name shall be notified in advance to the Referees’ Committee.

2. Seconds shall not insult or behave discourteously toward the opposing competitor; they shall remain seated in the designated position and refrain from anything other than tactical instructions.

3. Except in emergencies, if a second enters the competition area during a bout, the corresponding competitor shall be disqualified.

Chapter 2 Competition Officials

Article 9 （Composition）

1. The officiating structure of the Competition shall consist of one Referee (Chief Referee), two or more Judges, two or more Deliberation Referees, a Timekeeper, a Recorder (Scoreboard Operator), and the Tournament Doctor.The Referee, Judges, and Deliberation Referees shall be determined by the Tournament Executive Committee.
2. The Deliberation Referees shall resolve issues that arise—such as when the Referee and Judges require video review of a decision. In such case, the final decision shall be made by unanimous agreement of the Deliberation Referees.

Article 10 （Referee and Judges）

1. The Referee (Chief Referee) shall render and declare decisions of “foul,” “waza-ari,” and “ippon,” and shall declare “start of match,” “suspension,” “resumption,” and “extension.”

2. When danger is recognized, the Referee (Chief Referee) shall immediately declare “yame” (“stop”), suspend the bout, and seek the opinions of the Doctor and the Judges.

3. The Referee’s declarations shall be limited to eight types: “hajime” (“begin”), “continue/resume,” “yame” (“stop”), “not recognized,” “verbal caution,” “yellow card,” “red card,” and “win.”

4. The declaration of waza-ari shall always be made after “yame,” and only after returning the competitors to their starting positions; if damage is suspected, the Referee shall seek the Doctor’s instructions on the spot.

5. Judges shall assist the Referee and cooperate to ensure that no techniques or fouls are overlooked; when deemed necessary, they may make recommendations to the Referee.

Article 11 （Scorers）

1. Scorers shall score each round and promptly communicate the scores to the Recorder after the round ends.

2. If there is doubt regarding the Referee’s waza-ari decision, an objection may be raised immediately thereafter; following consultation, a decision shall be made by majority vote.

Article 12 （Timekeeping and Recording）

1. The Timekeeper shall start the clock at “begin” and stop it at “stop,” and shall strictly manage the match time.

2. The Recorder shall reflect waza-ari, cards, and the like on the scoreboard based on the Referee’s declarations and the Judges’ flags.

Article 13 （Tournament Doctor）

1. The Doctor shall conduct health management, regular and ad hoc examinations, and first aid in emergencies for competitors.

2. When deemed necessary, the Doctor may recommend to the Referee or the Tournament Executive Committee that a match be stopped.

Chapter 3 Decision Method

Article 14 （Determination of Win and Loss）

1. The winner shall be decided by a majority of the Judges’ votes based on the total scores for the two to three rounds of the main bout.
2. If the total scores are the same, the vote shall be a “draw.”
3. If a majority of Judges’ votes for a winner is not achieved, an extra round shall be held.
4. If a competitor becomes unable to continue due to an attack other than a foul, it shall be ippon, and the bout shall end.
5. Two declarations of waza-ari shall constitute ippon.

Article 15 （Scoring Method）

At the start of each round, the score shall be “10–10,” and scoring shall be by deduction. The order of priority for judgment criteria shall be as set forth below, and, as a rule, the superior competitor shall receive 10–9. One waza-ari in a round shall make that round “10–8” (an unconditional two-point margin). A yellow card shall be a one-point deduction in that round. If the totals are tied, the competitor with fewer yellow cards shall be the winner (the same shall apply to the final extra round).
• Number of effective strikes.
• Positive attacking posture.
• Defensive (guarding) skill.
• Number of fouls (excluding verbal cautions).
• Control of initiative (dominance of the bout).
• Competitive attitude (see: BudoManShip).

Article 16 （Extra Rounds）

1. An extra round shall consist of one to two rounds of two minutes; if a majority of Judges’ (Referee’s) votes for a winner is not achieved, a further extra round shall be held.
2. As a general rule, the number of extra rounds shall not exceed two.
3. The number of extra rounds shall be set before the match; in the final extra round, the Judges (Referee) shall score by the 10–9 must system.
4. A one-minute rest shall be given before an extra round; competitors shall, following the Referee’s instructions, stand by in the designated positions.

Article 17 （Out of Bounds / Falls）

1. When one foot completely steps outside the boundary line, a yellow card shall be declared against the competitor and it shall be “out of bounds.” If any part of the sole remains on the line, or if the line is crossed in the air, it shall not be out of bounds.

2. Failure of a striking technique that entails a fall, such as a spinning body roundhouse kick, shall be permitted once; from the second time onward, it shall be subject to foul (yellow card).

Article 18 （Definition of Effective Strike）

1. A determination of an “effective strike” shall require that a striking technique to the designated “hit points” satisfy the five elements of (1) accuracy, (2) speed, (3) impact, (4) timing (opportunity), and (5) kiai (will). However, in competition, if “accuracy” is satisfied and at least two of the other elements are also satisfied, the strike may be recognized as an “effective strike.”
2. Physical damage is included in the determination of an “effective strike,” but if waza-ari is not recognized, it shall be deemed no more than that.
3. The types of effective strikes are: jōdan-geri (kicking techniques to the jaw/temple area), jōdan-tsuki (punching techniques to the jaw/temple area), chūdan-geri (kicking techniques to the solar
4. plexus and right/left flank areas), chūdan-tsuki (punching techniques to the solar plexus and right/left flank areas), and gedan-mawashi (kicking techniques to the inside and outside of the thigh).
5. “Effective strikes” exclude “kuzushi-waza” (off-balancing), “decoy techniques,” and “other techniques” among the connecting techniques used to produce a finishing technique (effective strike) that does not satisfy the five elements of Article 18, Paragraph 1.

Article 19 （Procedure for Waza-ari and Ippon）

1. When it is determined that an attack not constituting a foul has caused temporary inability to counterattack or loss of will to fight, the Referee shall first declare “yame,” while paying attention to the competitor’s condition, and temporarily suspend the match.
2. After declaring “yame,” if loss of will to fight of less than five seconds is observed upon assessing the competitor’s condition, the Referee shall declare “waza-ari.”
3. After declaring “yame,” if loss of will to fight of five seconds or more is observed upon assessing the competitor’s condition, the Referee shall declare “ippon.”
4. Two declarations of “waza-ari” shall constitute “ippon,” and the match shall end.
5. With respect to the Referee’s decisions of waza-ari or ippon, Scorers may, only immediately thereafter, lodge an objection; the Referee, Judges, and Scorers shall confer, and a final decision shall be made by majority vote.
6. With respect to decisions of waza-ari and ippon, the content may be modified according to the target age class.

Chapter 4 Fouls

Article 20 （Types of Sanctions and Notice）

1. Declarations for fouls shall be “verbal caution,” “yellow card,” and “red card (disqualification).”
2. “Verbal caution” shall be limited to up to two times for the same type of foul.
3. The Referee shall notify by flag color (color of the offending side) and, as necessary, declare by displaying a card.
4. Under the scoring method, a “yellow card” is a one-point deduction for that round; even when making a flag decision, the Referee and the Judges shall treat the “yellow card” with the same awareness as under the scoring method.
5. Intentional fouls or fouls causing significant damage shall be met with an immediate “red card,” or a declaration of “disqualification” by the prescribed procedure.
6. Declarations of yellow card shall be up to the second time; any foul from the third time onward shall be disqualification (red card).
7. Any attack after the Referee’s “yame” shall uniformly constitute a foul.

Article 21 （Dangerous Acts）

The following acts, which carry a high risk of serious damage, shall, in principle, be yellow card (or immediately red card depending on circumstances), and either one point shall be added to the opponent or one point shall be deducted from the offending competitor:

1. Punches or elbow strikes to the head.

2. Strikes to the throat, neck, or clavicle.

3. Attacks to the groin or eyes; head-butting; biting; scratching.

4. Striking the head while holding the opponent’s leg.

5. Striking from behind; strikes to the back.

6. Attacks to the knee joint; strikes within ten centimeters above, below, left, and right from the center of the kneecap.

7. Grabbing or holding the head or neck with the hands; striking the head while holding the neck (chūdan is allowed).

8. “Scissors” (kani-basami) to the legs.

9. Striking that exploits gripping (holding) of the uniform; hooking or pressing the neck.

10. Persistent attacks to the area around the mammary glands or the clavicle (except where contact occurs incidentally in the flow).

11. Attacks after the Referee’s “yame.”

Article 22 （Other Fouls）

The following acts shall, depending on circumstances, merit verbal caution or yellow card:

1.  Emitting shrill cries.
2.  Disobeying the Referee’s instructions (including attacks after “yame”).
3.  Out of bounds (when one foot completely goes outside the boundary line).
4.  Exaggerated appeals disproportionate to the triviality of a foul.
5.  Body-checking within one meter of the boundary line, palm-heel pushing, or pressing one’s chest against the opponent’s body.
6.  A passive attitude in which willingness to attack is not recognized for five to ten seconds or more.
7. Dangerous tactics such as closing distance while keeping the head lowered (verbal caution or yellow card depending on the situation).
8. Failure to perform the prescribed etiquette (match etiquette) before or after a match (first offense: verbal caution; second and subsequent offenses: yellow card).
9. Pressing one’s body against the opponent or pushing the opponent with the body.
10. Escaping to, or stepping into, the out-of-bounds area.

Article 23 （Red Card / Disqualification）

The following cases shall result in disqualification by red card:

1. Abusive language toward officials or the opposing competitor; ungentlemanly conduct.
2.  When, despite the Referee’s instructions, conduct is deemed dangerous or malicious.
3.  Striking an opponent whose both hands or both knees are touching the floor (except for a finishing thrust).
4.  Repetition of fouls or where conduct is deemed malicious. Further fouls after two yellow cards (or cautions).
5. When the Referee deems that a serious failure of etiquette merits disqualification.
6.  When disqualification is declared, the match shall end immediately and the opponent shall be the winner.
7. A disqualified competitor must leave in accordance with the prescribed exit etiquette
8.  Final disposition concerning disqualification shall be decided by the Deliberation Referees.

Chapter 5 Etiquette of Competitors and Officials

Article 24 （Competitors’ Etiquette）

1. Entrance: Competitors shall enter with a standing bow (per appendix) from the designated corners (from the front: red = left, blue = right), proceed through the out-of-bounds area, perform a standing bow at the center of each side, and then enter the main space.

2. Start: Standing upright at a distance of approximately 1.5 to 2 meters at the center, competitors shall, upon the Referee’s “bow to each other,” perform a bow, then “ready,” and start at “begin.”

3. End: After the end, competitors shall face each other at the starting position in fudō-dachi (immovable stance), receive the announcement of the result, bow, shake hands, then about-face and exit; perform a bow at the center of each side, and exit from the corner.

Article 25 （Officials’ Etiquette）

1. Entrance: Led by the Referee, all officials shall enter from the red side, line up with the Referee in the center and Judges on the left and right, bow to the front at the Referee’s command, and take their designated positions.

2. Exit: All officials shall line up, bow, and, led by the Referee, exit from the red side. Details are as separately provided.

Article 26 （Referee’s Announcement Motions）

1. The Referee shall stand upright at the designated position and accurately position the competitors.

2. Announcements such as “waza-ari” and “foul” shall be made only after interruption by “yame”; competitors shall be returned to their starting positions, and the match shall be resumed by “continue.”

3. Determination of ippon shall be made with the highest priority on confirming competitors’ safety; in cases of stalemate, the Referee shall declare “yame,” return competitors to the starting lines, and resume with “continue.”

Article 27 (Announcement of Result)

1. After the end buzzer, the Referee shall declare “yame” and face the competitors toward each other at the starting positions.

2. The Referee shall raise the flag of the winner’s color to ninety degrees upward and clearly declare “Red (or Blue) wins.” Details of the motion are as separately provided.

Chapter 6 Special Provisions

Article 28 （Prohibition of Protests）

Affiliated organizations and related persons of competitors shall comply with these Regulations and pledge not to lodge protests against the Competition.

Article 29 （Revisions）

These Regulations may be revised when deemed necessary for the realization of the philosophy and purpose. When Detailed Rules are established, they shall be set forth in a separate document.

Article 30 （Intellectual Property）

1. These Regulations were devised based on the philosophy and ideas of Akira Masuda, and the copyright belongs to Akira Masuda.

2. Diversion inconsistent with said philosophy and ideas, unauthorized use of the name, use of similar names, and unauthorized alterations are prohibited.

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Supplementary Provisions

Effective Date / Revision History: Established September 7, 2025.
Author: IBMA Kyokushin Kaikan / Akira Masuda.
Detailed Rules / Appendices.
Fundamental Spirit of Olympism → “Olympism (the Olympic spirit) is to contribute, through sport, to the building of a peaceful and better world by improving mind and body, overcoming differences such as culture and nationality, and embracing friendship, solidarity, and the spirit of fair play.”

Addendum

Difference in Effect Between Waza-ari and Yellow Card
• Two yellow cards → equivalent to one waza-ari (corresponds to a two-point deduction under the conventional judgment method).
• One yellow card → corresponds to a one-point deduction for the offending competitor.
• One waza-ari → equivalent to two yellow cards (a two-point deduction under the conventional rules).