World Karate Federation KATA
Test Questions and Answers
(2026) | Question and Answer
Review | Graded A+
‣ What is the size of the competition area in Kumite? Answer: A WKF
Approved matted square with sides of eight metres.
‣ What is the required safety area around the competition area? Answer:
A further 2 metres matted safety area on all sides, which may be reduced
to 1.5 metres.
‣ What must be avoided within one metre of the safety area's outer
perimeter? Answer: Advertisements, signs, walls, pillars, etc.
‣ How are the mats arranged to form a boundary between competitors?
Answer: Two mats are inverted with the red side turned up, placed one
metre apart.
‣ Where does the Referee (SHUSHIN) stand during a match? Answer:
Centered between the two mats, facing the competitors at a distance of
two metres from the boundary.
,‣ What equipment do Judges (FUKUSHIN) have during a match?
Answer: Each Judge is equipped with a red and a blue flag or electronic
signal device.
‣ What is the role of the Match Supervisor (KANSA)? Answer: To be
seated at the official table and equipped with a whistle.
‣ Where should Coaches be seated during a Kumite match? Answer:
Outside the safety area, on their respective sides of the Tatami towards
the official table.
‣ What is the official uniform for referees and judges? Answer: A navy-
blue blazer, light-grey trousers, white shirt, dark blue or black socks, and
black slip-on shoes.
‣ What are referees and judges prohibited from wearing during matches?
Answer: Smart-watches and private electronic devices.
‣ What type of Karategi must competitors wear? Answer: A WKF
approved white Karategi without piping or personal embroidery.
‣ What must be embroidered on the shoulders of the Karategi for official
WKF events? Answer: Brands in red or blue according to the draw.
‣ What happens if an official does not comply with the uniform
regulations? Answer: The Referee Commission or Chief Referee may
refuse their participation.
,‣ What is the role of the Score Supervisor? Answer: To be seated at the
official score table beside the score/timekeeper.
‣ What is the protocol for video review during competitions? Answer:
Video Review Supervisors will be present where video is deployed.
‣ What is the maximum heel height allowed for referees' uniforms?
Answer: Heels of more than 4 cm may not be worn.
‣ What is the significance of the red and blue flags used by judges?
Answer: They indicate the scoring decisions made by the judges.
‣ What are the consequences of a competitor failing to appear at the
Tatami? Answer: This is addressed under KIKEN in the rules.
‣ What is the purpose of the APPENDIX in the Kumite Rules document?
Answer: To provide additional information such as terminology,
gestures, and categories.
‣ What is the minimum distance required between competition areas?
Answer: A safety area of 1.5 metres must be maintained.
‣ What is the role of the Chief Referee during a competition? Answer:
To oversee the match and ensure compliance with the rules.
, ‣ What should be done if the configuration of Tatami makes it
impractical for coaches to face the official table? Answer: Coaches may
be placed on each side of the official table.
‣ What is the procedure for adopting these rules to events outside the
WKF official programme? Answer: It must be formally requested and
approved by the WKF.
‣ What is the criteria for decision in Kumite competitions? Answer: This
is outlined in ARTICLE 12 of the rules.
‣ What is the purpose of the official protest form in Kumite
competitions? Answer: To formally address disputes regarding
competition outcomes.
‣ What is the significance of the two-judge system mentioned in the
rules? Answer: It applies specifically to the Youth League competitions.
‣ What is the summary table of winning criteria and tie resolution?
Answer: It is found in APPENDIX 6 of the rules.
‣ What must refereeing officials do if the Chief Referee agrees? Answer:
They may be allowed to remove their blazers.
‣ What can the Referee Commission or Chief Referee do regarding
officials? Answer: They may refuse the participation of any official who
does not comply with regulations.
Test Questions and Answers
(2026) | Question and Answer
Review | Graded A+
‣ What is the size of the competition area in Kumite? Answer: A WKF
Approved matted square with sides of eight metres.
‣ What is the required safety area around the competition area? Answer:
A further 2 metres matted safety area on all sides, which may be reduced
to 1.5 metres.
‣ What must be avoided within one metre of the safety area's outer
perimeter? Answer: Advertisements, signs, walls, pillars, etc.
‣ How are the mats arranged to form a boundary between competitors?
Answer: Two mats are inverted with the red side turned up, placed one
metre apart.
‣ Where does the Referee (SHUSHIN) stand during a match? Answer:
Centered between the two mats, facing the competitors at a distance of
two metres from the boundary.
,‣ What equipment do Judges (FUKUSHIN) have during a match?
Answer: Each Judge is equipped with a red and a blue flag or electronic
signal device.
‣ What is the role of the Match Supervisor (KANSA)? Answer: To be
seated at the official table and equipped with a whistle.
‣ Where should Coaches be seated during a Kumite match? Answer:
Outside the safety area, on their respective sides of the Tatami towards
the official table.
‣ What is the official uniform for referees and judges? Answer: A navy-
blue blazer, light-grey trousers, white shirt, dark blue or black socks, and
black slip-on shoes.
‣ What are referees and judges prohibited from wearing during matches?
Answer: Smart-watches and private electronic devices.
‣ What type of Karategi must competitors wear? Answer: A WKF
approved white Karategi without piping or personal embroidery.
‣ What must be embroidered on the shoulders of the Karategi for official
WKF events? Answer: Brands in red or blue according to the draw.
‣ What happens if an official does not comply with the uniform
regulations? Answer: The Referee Commission or Chief Referee may
refuse their participation.
,‣ What is the role of the Score Supervisor? Answer: To be seated at the
official score table beside the score/timekeeper.
‣ What is the protocol for video review during competitions? Answer:
Video Review Supervisors will be present where video is deployed.
‣ What is the maximum heel height allowed for referees' uniforms?
Answer: Heels of more than 4 cm may not be worn.
‣ What is the significance of the red and blue flags used by judges?
Answer: They indicate the scoring decisions made by the judges.
‣ What are the consequences of a competitor failing to appear at the
Tatami? Answer: This is addressed under KIKEN in the rules.
‣ What is the purpose of the APPENDIX in the Kumite Rules document?
Answer: To provide additional information such as terminology,
gestures, and categories.
‣ What is the minimum distance required between competition areas?
Answer: A safety area of 1.5 metres must be maintained.
‣ What is the role of the Chief Referee during a competition? Answer:
To oversee the match and ensure compliance with the rules.
, ‣ What should be done if the configuration of Tatami makes it
impractical for coaches to face the official table? Answer: Coaches may
be placed on each side of the official table.
‣ What is the procedure for adopting these rules to events outside the
WKF official programme? Answer: It must be formally requested and
approved by the WKF.
‣ What is the criteria for decision in Kumite competitions? Answer: This
is outlined in ARTICLE 12 of the rules.
‣ What is the purpose of the official protest form in Kumite
competitions? Answer: To formally address disputes regarding
competition outcomes.
‣ What is the significance of the two-judge system mentioned in the
rules? Answer: It applies specifically to the Youth League competitions.
‣ What is the summary table of winning criteria and tie resolution?
Answer: It is found in APPENDIX 6 of the rules.
‣ What must refereeing officials do if the Chief Referee agrees? Answer:
They may be allowed to remove their blazers.
‣ What can the Referee Commission or Chief Referee do regarding
officials? Answer: They may refuse the participation of any official who
does not comply with regulations.
