WKF: EXAMINATION KUMITE 2025
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. If the competition area is elevated another meter to a total of 3 meters is required on all
sides.
True, according to 1.5 in the 2023(!) rules (2024 rules:according to ILLUSTRATION of the
competition area/article 1)
2. Any Voluntary religious headwear can be worn.
False, 2.1.2.b)
(approved by WKF)
3. The karate-Gi jacket must be more than three-quarters thigh length.
False, 2.2.1.g)
(NOT be more than three-quarters thigh length.)
4. The karate-Gi trousers must cover at least two-thirds of the shin.
True, 2.2.1.l)
5. The karate-Gi jacket sleeve must be no longer than the bend of the wrist.
True, 2.2.1.j)
6. If a contestant's karate-Gi jacket sleeves are too long and a suitable replacement cannot be
found in time the Referee can allow him to turn them up on the inside.
False 2.2.1.k)
(Jacket sleeves cannot be rolled up.)
7. Competitors may wear 1 or 2 discreet rubber band or ponytail retainer in their hair. Ribbons,
beads, and other decorations are prohibited.
True 2.2.4
("One or two discreet rubber bands on a single ponytail is permitted.")
8. Earrings are allowed if they are covered with tape.
1 Copyright ©2025 SIRJOEL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
,False, 2.2.6
(must not wear metallic or other objects, which
might injure their opponents.)
9. Metallic teeth (dental) braces may be worn at the contestant's own risk if approved by the
Referee and the Official Doctor.
True, 2.2.6
10. Contestants must bow properly to each other at the start and end of the bout.
True, 7.4
11. The coach may change the team fighting order during a round.
False 3.6.5
(The fighting order once notified; it cannot be changed until that round is completed.)
12. If a contestant is injured in an individual match the coach can enter a replacement if he
notifies the Organising Commission first.
False, no info in the 2024 rules.
Article 3.5 (In individual competition no Competitor may be replaced by another after the
drawing has taken place, according to 2020 rules.)
13. Each Judge must be equipped with a red and a blue flag or electronic signal device.
True, 1.7
14. If two teams have the same number of victories and points, a deciding bout will be held.
True?, 12.2.4 (HIKIWAKE will be given unless it is an extra bout to decide a match outcome.)
and 12.2.6 (The only time HANTEI is applied to a bout in Team competition is for an additional
bout to break a tie)
15. The Match Supervisor (KANSA) will be equipped with only a whistle.
True, 1.8
16. Disqualification by KIKEN means that the contestants are disqualified from that category.
True, 6.4
17. Heels of more than 4 cm may not be worn with the uniform.
True, 2.1.2.e)
18. Senior Male bouts are three minutes, and Women, Cadets, and Juniors, two minutes.
2 Copyright ©2025 SIRJOEL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, False, 5.1
(Senior Male and Female categories are three minutes.)
19. Kumite team members may wear any type of Karate Gi.
False, 2.2.1
(Competitors must wear a WKF-approved white Karategi.)
20. Different type of stripes may be used for team members.
True?, 2.2.1 a) (embroidered brands on the shoulders in respectively red or blue according to
the draw/There is no WKF requirement for the Team members wearing the same brand of
Karategi)
21. A competitor does not need to change the jacket if ties are torn off during the match.
True, 2.2.1.i)
22. Competitors may wear any white Karate Gi.
False, 2.2.1
(Competitors must wear a WKF-approved white Karategi.)
23. A fast combination of CHUDAN Geri and TSUKI each of which score in their own right will be
given IPPON.
False, 8.3
(the highest scoring technique will count
regardless of the sequence of techniques in the combination. - Waza-Ari)
24. In Senior matches a light "glove touch" to the throat need no result in a warning or penalty
provided there is no actual injury.
False, 8.8
(to the throat area [where] no physical contact is allowed.)
25. A kick in the groin will not result in a penalty provided the offender did not do it
intentionally.
False, 9.1.1.2)
(prohibited: Attacks to the arms or legs, groin, joints, or instep.)
26. Starting 2023, for Competitors under14 years of age, the WKF approved protective helmet
is allowed and compulsory from 1.1.2024.
True, 2.2.7
27. If SENSHU is withdrawn when it is less than 15 seconds left of the bout, no further SENSHU
can be awarded to either competitor.
3 Copyright ©2025 SIRJOEL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. If the competition area is elevated another meter to a total of 3 meters is required on all
sides.
True, according to 1.5 in the 2023(!) rules (2024 rules:according to ILLUSTRATION of the
competition area/article 1)
2. Any Voluntary religious headwear can be worn.
False, 2.1.2.b)
(approved by WKF)
3. The karate-Gi jacket must be more than three-quarters thigh length.
False, 2.2.1.g)
(NOT be more than three-quarters thigh length.)
4. The karate-Gi trousers must cover at least two-thirds of the shin.
True, 2.2.1.l)
5. The karate-Gi jacket sleeve must be no longer than the bend of the wrist.
True, 2.2.1.j)
6. If a contestant's karate-Gi jacket sleeves are too long and a suitable replacement cannot be
found in time the Referee can allow him to turn them up on the inside.
False 2.2.1.k)
(Jacket sleeves cannot be rolled up.)
7. Competitors may wear 1 or 2 discreet rubber band or ponytail retainer in their hair. Ribbons,
beads, and other decorations are prohibited.
True 2.2.4
("One or two discreet rubber bands on a single ponytail is permitted.")
8. Earrings are allowed if they are covered with tape.
1 Copyright ©2025 SIRJOEL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
,False, 2.2.6
(must not wear metallic or other objects, which
might injure their opponents.)
9. Metallic teeth (dental) braces may be worn at the contestant's own risk if approved by the
Referee and the Official Doctor.
True, 2.2.6
10. Contestants must bow properly to each other at the start and end of the bout.
True, 7.4
11. The coach may change the team fighting order during a round.
False 3.6.5
(The fighting order once notified; it cannot be changed until that round is completed.)
12. If a contestant is injured in an individual match the coach can enter a replacement if he
notifies the Organising Commission first.
False, no info in the 2024 rules.
Article 3.5 (In individual competition no Competitor may be replaced by another after the
drawing has taken place, according to 2020 rules.)
13. Each Judge must be equipped with a red and a blue flag or electronic signal device.
True, 1.7
14. If two teams have the same number of victories and points, a deciding bout will be held.
True?, 12.2.4 (HIKIWAKE will be given unless it is an extra bout to decide a match outcome.)
and 12.2.6 (The only time HANTEI is applied to a bout in Team competition is for an additional
bout to break a tie)
15. The Match Supervisor (KANSA) will be equipped with only a whistle.
True, 1.8
16. Disqualification by KIKEN means that the contestants are disqualified from that category.
True, 6.4
17. Heels of more than 4 cm may not be worn with the uniform.
True, 2.1.2.e)
18. Senior Male bouts are three minutes, and Women, Cadets, and Juniors, two minutes.
2 Copyright ©2025 SIRJOEL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, False, 5.1
(Senior Male and Female categories are three minutes.)
19. Kumite team members may wear any type of Karate Gi.
False, 2.2.1
(Competitors must wear a WKF-approved white Karategi.)
20. Different type of stripes may be used for team members.
True?, 2.2.1 a) (embroidered brands on the shoulders in respectively red or blue according to
the draw/There is no WKF requirement for the Team members wearing the same brand of
Karategi)
21. A competitor does not need to change the jacket if ties are torn off during the match.
True, 2.2.1.i)
22. Competitors may wear any white Karate Gi.
False, 2.2.1
(Competitors must wear a WKF-approved white Karategi.)
23. A fast combination of CHUDAN Geri and TSUKI each of which score in their own right will be
given IPPON.
False, 8.3
(the highest scoring technique will count
regardless of the sequence of techniques in the combination. - Waza-Ari)
24. In Senior matches a light "glove touch" to the throat need no result in a warning or penalty
provided there is no actual injury.
False, 8.8
(to the throat area [where] no physical contact is allowed.)
25. A kick in the groin will not result in a penalty provided the offender did not do it
intentionally.
False, 9.1.1.2)
(prohibited: Attacks to the arms or legs, groin, joints, or instep.)
26. Starting 2023, for Competitors under14 years of age, the WKF approved protective helmet
is allowed and compulsory from 1.1.2024.
True, 2.2.7
27. If SENSHU is withdrawn when it is less than 15 seconds left of the bout, no further SENSHU
can be awarded to either competitor.
3 Copyright ©2025 SIRJOEL ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
