WORLD KARATE FEDERATION KATA COMPETITION RULES

WORLD KARATE FEDERATION
KATA COMPETITION RULES
Valid from 1.1 .2025




WKF -KATA -RULES- THIS ARE THE RULES OF KATA IN PERFORMING




Rules Version 2025.00 −1−

, CONTENT

ARTICLE 1: KATA CO MPETITIO N AREA - 3 -

ARTICLE 2: OFFICIAL DRESS - 4 -

ARTICLE 3: ORGANISATION OF KATA COMPETITION - 7 -

ARTICLE 4: THE JUDG ING PANEL - 13 -

ARTICLE 5: SCORING - 14 -

ARTICLE 6: OPERATION OF MATCHES - 18 -

ARTICLE 7: OFFICIAL PROTEST - 19 -

ARTICLE 8: LOCAL ADAPTATION OF RULES - 22 -

APPENDIX 1: OFFICIAL KATA LIST - 23 -

APPENDIX 2: KATA CO MPETITIO N CATEGORIES - 24 -

APPENDIX 3: KATA PROTEST FORM - 25 -




Rules Version 2025.00 −2−

, ARTICLE 1 : KATA COMPETITION AREA


1.1 The competition area will be a WKF Approved matted square, with sides of eight metres
(measured from the outside). There will be a clear safety area of two metres on each side.
Where an elevated competition area is used, the safety area should be of an additional one (1)
metre on each side.

1.2 Judges and the Software Technician are placed side by side at a table at the end of the mat
facing the Competitors with the Chief Judge (Judge no.1) closest to the Software Technician
who sits at the far end of the table.

1.3 All Judges and the Software Technician are placed in line in front of the official table, preferably
behind a single table.

1.4 There must be no advertisement hoardings, walls, pillars etc. within one metre of the safety
area's outer perimeter.

1.5 Coaches will be seated outside the safety area, on their respective sides of the TATAMI towards
the official table. Where the TATAMI area is elevated, the Coaches will be placed outside the
elevated area behind their respective Competitors.




Rules Version 2025.00 −3−