GKL Karate Division Rules

Eligibility

This tournament is open to all practitioners of stand-up martial arts, including karate and kickboxing, regardless of style or organization.

• Kyokushin
• Full Contact Karate
• Traditional Karate
• Kickboxing
• Other organizations and styles

All participants are welcome.

*Only athletes who can comply with tournament rules and equipment regulations may participate.

Category Divisions

To ensure fair competition, categories are divided by age, gender, weight, and experience.

*Categories may be merged depending on the number of participants.

◆ Preschool Division (Boys & Girls)

• Preschool Boys
• Preschool Girls

*No weight divisions (adjusted as necessary)

◆ Elementary School (By Grade & Gender)

• Grade 1 Boys / Girls
• Grade 2 Boys / Girls
• Grade 3 Boys / Girls
• Grade 4 Boys / Girls
• Grade 5 Boys / Girls
• Grade 6 Boys / Girls

◆ Junior High School (By Grade & Gender)

• 1st Year Boys / Girls
• 2nd Year Boys / Girls
• 3rd Year Boys / Girls

◆ High School (Boys & Girls)

• High School Boys
• High School Girls

◆ General Division (By Gender & Belt Rank)

General division is categorized by belt rank.

• Men Under Brown Belt (Beginner–Intermediate)
• Men Brown Belt and Above (Advanced)
• Women Under Brown Belt (Beginner–Intermediate)
• Women Brown Belt and Above (Advanced)

◆ Senior Division (40+ / By Gender & Belt Rank)

• Senior Men Under Brown Belt (Beginner–Intermediate)
• Senior Men Brown Belt and Above (Advanced)
• Senior Women Under Brown Belt (Beginner–Intermediate)
• Senior Women Brown Belt and Above (Advanced)

Weight Classes

Weight divisions are used to ensure fair competition.

Official weight is determined at weigh-in on the day.

*Divisions may be merged if participation is low.

◆ Elementary School

• -25kg
• -30kg
• -35kg
• +35kg

◆ Junior High School

Boys

• -40kg
• -45kg
• -50kg
• -55kg
• -60kg
• +60kg

Girls

• -40kg
• -45kg
• -50kg
• +50kg

◆ High School

Boys

• -55kg
• -60kg
• -65kg
• -70kg
• -75kg
• +75kg

Girls

• -50kg
• -55kg
• -60kg
• +60kg

◆ General Division (By Belt Rank)

Men (Under Brown Belt)

• -60kg
• -65kg
• -70kg
• -75kg
• -80kg
• +80kg

Men (Brown Belt and Above)

• -65kg
• -70kg
• -75kg
• -80kg
• -85kg
• +85kg

Women (Under Brown Belt)

• -50kg
• -55kg
• -60kg
• +60kg

Women (Brown Belt and Above)

• -55kg
• -60kg
• -65kg
• +65kg

◆ Senior (40+)

• -60kg
• -65kg
• -70kg
• -75kg
• -80kg
• +80kg

Notes

• Red strings and headgear must be prepared individually
• No announcements will be made. Be ready at least 3 matches in advance
• High knee strikes to the head are permitted only for advanced brown belt practitioners who are high school age or older.
• First aid will be provided, but no liability is assumed. Insurance is required
• Dyed hair, piercings, etc. are prohibited (may result in disqualification)
• No heckling or complaints
• No victory poses or shouting
• Absence at call time results in disqualification

Match Rules

◆ Victory Conditions

Win by Ippon or two Waza-ari. Disqualification after 2 penalties. If undecided, judges decide.

◆ Ippon

• Knockdown or loss of fighting spirit
• Two Waza-ari

◆ Valid Techniques

Attacks to non-foul areas. Effective if damage is inflicted even on guard.

◆ Fouls

• Hand strikes to the face
• Groin attacks
• Pushing
• Attacks from behind
• Attacking a downed opponent
• Close-range striking
• Grabbing or throwing
• High knees are prohibited for preschool through junior high school participants, general division practitioners below brown belt, and senior division competitors.
• Attacks after “Stop” call

◆ Disqualification

Referee violations, lateness, vomiting, 4 warnings, equipment violations, etc.

◆ Penalty Count

Warning → Caution 1 → Caution 2 (1 point deduction) → Caution 3 → Caution 4 (2 point deduction = disqualification)

Equipment Regulations

Match Time

• Preschool: 1 minute
• Elementary / Junior High / High School: 1 minute 30 seconds
• General: 2 minutes

Extension: 1 minute (must decision) / additional extension in finals only