KUMITE

2026

Divisions Rules Venue Register Register Now

1,200+ competitors registered · Early-bird ends March 1

Enter Your Dojo Team Register to Compete

Karate kumite competitor executing a mawashi-geri kick, frozen at moment of impact

Live Registration Open

USA Karate Sanctioned Event · 2026

KUMITE
CHAMPIONSHIP

March 14–16, 2026 · Phoenix Convention Center · Phoenix, AZ

0+Registered Competitors

0Divisions

0Tatami Rings Live

0Days of Elimination

EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS MARCH 1✦BRACKETS CLOSE WHEN FULL✦48 DIVISIONS · ALL RANKS WELCOME✦WKF APPROVED EQUIPMENT REQUIRED✦TEAM ENTRY AVAILABLE FOR SENSEIS✦CADET · JUNIOR · U21 · ADULT · MASTERS✦6 TATAMI RINGS RUNNING SIMULTANEOUSLY✦OFFICIAL USA KARATE SANCTIONED EVENT✦EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS MARCH 1✦BRACKETS CLOSE WHEN FULL✦48 DIVISIONS · ALL RANKS WELCOME✦WKF APPROVED EQUIPMENT REQUIRED✦TEAM ENTRY AVAILABLE FOR SENSEIS✦CADET · JUNIOR · U21 · ADULT · MASTERS✦6 TATAMI RINGS RUNNING SIMULTANEOUSLY✦OFFICIAL USA KARATE SANCTIONED EVENT✦

On The Mat

The Arena
Awaits

Karate competitor executing a high roundhouse kick at mat level during kumite bout

Tournament judge raising scoring flag upward to signal point awarded in kumite match

Young karate athlete in white gi receiving gold medal at overhead fluorescent lit ceremony

Two karate competitors in mid-air exchange during competitive kumite sparring match

Karate athlete standing on tatami mat in fighting stance wearing chest protector

48 Divisions Total

Find Your
Division

Tap any division to expand weight classes. Competitors are matched by age group, belt rank, gender, and weight — WKF standards apply throughout.

CadetFemale

Cadet · Ages 14–15

All Ranks · 2 min bouts

Spots Left

-47kg

Under 47 kg

-54kg

47–54 kg

-61kg

54–61 kg

+61kg

Over 61 kg

Tap a weight class to filter available time slots in Step 2 of registration.

CadetMale

Cadet · Ages 14–15

All Ranks · 2 min bouts

Spots Left

-52kg

Under 52 kg

-57kg

52–57 kg

-63kg

57–63 kg

-70kg

63–70 kg

+70kg

Over 70 kg

Tap a weight class to filter available time slots in Step 2 of registration.

JuniorMale

Junior · Ages 16–17

Intermediate & Advanced · 2 min bouts

Spots Left

-48kg

Under 48 kg

-53kg

48–53 kg

-59kg

53–59 kg

-66kg

59–66 kg

+66kg

Over 66 kg

Tap a weight class to filter available time slots in Step 2 of registration.

U21Female

U21 · Ages 18–20

Advanced / Black Belt · 2 min bouts

Spots Left

-50kg

Under 50 kg

-55kg

50–55 kg

-61kg

55–61 kg

-68kg

61–68 kg

+68kg

Over 68 kg

Tap a weight class to filter available time slots in Step 2 of registration.

AdultMale

Adult · Ages 18–35

Black Belt Elite · 3 min bouts

Spots Left

-60kg

Under 60 kg

-67kg

60–67 kg

-75kg

67–75 kg

-84kg

75–84 kg

+84kg

Over 84 kg

Tap a weight class to filter available time slots in Step 2 of registration.

MastersOpen

Masters · Ages 36+

Black Belt · 2 min bouts

Spots Left

Open

Open Weight

Tap a weight class to filter available time slots in Step 2 of registration.

Senseis & Dojo Teams

Entering multiple fighters? Use the bulk CSV upload to register your entire roster at once.

Enter Your Dojo Team

WKF & USA Karate Standards

Rules &
Scoring

Karate judges raising flags to signal point scored during kumite bout

Scoring Zone

Legal targets: head, face, torso, and sides. Attacks to joints, throat, groin, or legs are penalized.

Ippon1 pt

Clean, controlled strike to head or torso with proper distancing and focus.

Waza-ari½ pt

Controlled strike that meets criteria but falls short of full Ippon.

HansokuPenalty

Prohibited behavior: excessive contact, Jogai (ring exit), or attacking restricted areas.

ShikkakuDQ

Disqualification and expulsion from the entire tournament for severe infringements.

⏱

Bout Duration

2 minutes for all divisions. Adult Black Belt Elite (18–34) bouts run 3 minutes.

⚡

Overtime (Encho-sen)

Sudden death. First to score wins. 1-minute limit across all divisions.

🏆

Win Condition

8-point clear lead, highest points at time, or Hantei (judge decision).

🥋

Equipment

External chest protector compulsory. No glasses. Soft contacts at own risk.

📐

Competition Area

8-meter matted square. Outer 1-meter border marked in contrasting color.

👥

Team Format

3 competitors per team, 1 reserve allowed. All members same age group.

Phoenix Convention Center

Venue &
Schedule

6 Tatami Rings · 100 Bouts/Day

Large convention center gymnasium floor with multiple tatami mats arranged for karate competition

Phoenix Convention Center

100 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Ring Assignment

Ring 1

Ring 2

Ring 3

Ring 4

Ring 5

Ring 6

Cadet & Junior