The Karate World Championships, also known as the World Karate Championships, are the highest level of competition for karate organised by the World Karate Federation (WKF). The competition is held in a different city every two years. Some of the most recent championships include Madrid in 2002, Monterrey in 2004, Tampere in 2006, Tokyo in 2008, and Belgrade in 2010. The competition was initially riddled with controversy regarding karate styles and the ruleset.
In 1984, women were first allowed to compete in the championships.
Individual kumite – men and women
Team kumite – men and women
The result of a bout is determined by a contestant obtaining a clear lead of eight points, having the highest number of points at time-up, obtaining a decision (hantei ), or by an accumulation of prohibited behaviors imposed against a contestant.
Ippon (three points)
Jodan (head, face, neck) kicks
Any scoring technique delivered on a thrown or fallen opponent
Waza-ari (two points)
Chudan (abdomen, chest, back, side) kicks
Yuko (one point)
Tsuki (punch)
Uchi (strike)
Prohibited behavior
Category 1
Techniques which make excessive contact, in regards to the scoring area attacked, or make contact with the throat
Attacks to the arms or legs, groin, joints, or instep
Attacks to the face with open hand techniques
Dangerous or forbidden throwing techniques
Category 2
Feigning or exaggerating injury
Exit from the competition area (jogai ) not caused by the opponent
Self-endangerment by indulging in behavior which exposes the contestant to injury by the opponent, or failing to take adequate measures for self-protection (mubobi )
Avoiding combat as a means of preventing the opponent having the opportunity to score
Passivity – not attempting to engage in combat (cannot be given after less than the last 10 seconds of the match)
Clinching, wrestling, pushing, or standing chest-to-chest without attempting a scoring technique or takedown
Grabbing the opponent with both hands for any other reason than executing a takedown upon catching the opponent's kicking leg
Grabbing the opponent's arm or karategi (uniform) with one hand without immediately attempting a scoring technique or takedown
Techniques which, by their nature, cannot be controlled for the safety of the opponent, and other dangerous and uncontrolled attacks
Simulated attacks with the head, knees, or elbows
Talking to or goading the opponent
Failing to obey the orders of the referee
Warnings and penalties
Chukoku is imposed for the first instance of a minor infraction in the applicable category.
Keikoku is imposed for the second instance of a minor infraction in that category, or for infractions not serious enough to merit hansoku-chui.
Hansoku-chui is a warning of disqualification usually imposed for infractions for which a keikoku has previously been given in that bout; it may be imposed directly for serious infringements which do not merit hansoku.
Hansoku is the penalty of disqualification following a very serious infraction or when a hansoku-chui has already been given. In team matches, the offender's score will be zeroed and the opponent's score will be set at eight points.
Individual kata – men and women
Team kata (synchronized) – men and women
Team kata with bunkai
The following reflects the all-time medal counts as of the 2016 World Karate Championships:
