World Karate-Do Federation

KARATE KUMITE RULES

Table of Contents

ARTICLE 7: CRITERIA FOR DECISION

1. In the absence of a SANBON score, or of a defeat caused by KIKEN, HANSOKU, or a SHIKKAKU during the bout a decision is taken on the basis of the following considerations:
   a. Whether there have been any IPPONS or WAZA-ARI awarded.
   b. The attitude, fighting spirit and strength demonstrated by the contestants.
   c. The superiority of tactics and techniques.
2. In individual category where there is no score superiority, then the following procedure will be followed:
   a. If, at the end of a bout, the two contestants have no score, the winning decision shall be given by HANTEI.
   b. If, at the end of a bout, the two contestants have scored equally, the decision for victory shall be given by HANTEI.
   c. If, at the end of a bout, neither contestant has established a superiority, then the decision for that bout shall be a draw ("HIKIWAKE") and ENCHO-SEN should be announced.
   d. A penalty or warning incurred in the bout will be carried forward to the ENCHO-SEN.
3. In team competition the winning team is the one with the most bout victories.
4. If two teams have the same number of victories, the winner is the one whose contestants have scored the most points, taking both winning and losing fights into account.

   
   

5. If two teams have the same number of victories and scores, a deciding bout must be held between representatives of the two teams. In the event of a continuing tie , there is an extension ("ENCHO-SEN"). The first contestant to score IPPON or WAZA-ARI is declared the winner.
6. If there is no decision after a bout of an individual match, an extension ("ENCHOSEN") will be fought. In the event of a tied ENCHO-SEN, the majority decision of the panel will be announced by the Referee.

When scores are unequal, the contestant who completes the bout satisfactorily a Waza-Ari or Ippon ahead of the opponent shall be given the victory.

Taking the above criteria into account, when a superiority can be established, it is quite in order for one contestant to be given the victory, even when the score situation is equal.

When deciding the outcome of a bout by Hantei, the Referee shall step outside of the ring and call "Hantei " followed by a two-tone blast on his whistle. The Judges will indicate their opinions by means of their flags, the Referee should acknowledge the Judges decision by a one-tone blast of his whistle, then move forward to his original position and announce the majority decision.

The Encho-Sen is an extension of a bout; it is not a separate bout. Penalties awarded in the bout proper will therefore carry over into the Encho-Sen. There must be a decision after an Encho-Sen, taking performance in the whole bout into consideration.

Where a team match has tied bout victories and points, an additional bout is then fought between selectees. The selectees must be nominated within one minute of the announcement of this bout and the persons making the nomination will be those who signed the original fighting order form for that match. If the extra bout ties, an Encho-Sen will be fought and as in common with all Encho-Sens, a decision must be reached at its conclusion.