How does a karate kata competition work?
B · Beginner · The competition · 1 of 3In kata, an athlete performs a set sequence of karate techniques alone, against imagined opponents. Two athletes, or two teams, are drawn against each other. The one in the red belt performs first and the one in blue second. Each judge marks both and so picks a winner, and the majority of the judges decides the bout.
How it works
- One against one: every kata bout sets one athlete, or one team, against another.
- Aka and ao: red and blue belts, given by a random draw.
- Aka first: the athlete or team in red performs first.
- The other waits: at the edge of the area, without moving or talking.
- The kata: chosen by the athlete from the official list.
- The judges: seated behind a table facing the middle of the mat.
- The result: by the majority of the judges' votes.
- The mat: an 8-metre square with a 2-metre safety area.
- Individual and team: separate events for men and for women.
- Seniors: from 16 years of age.
The glossary has kata, the aka and ao, the judges, the kata scoring, the bout and karate.
Tricky cases
Do the two athletes perform at the same time?
No. Aka performs the whole kata first. Ao performs after aka has finished.
Do they have to perform the same kata?
No. Each chooses their own from the official list.
Is kata a kind of dance?
No. The rule book says kata is not a dance or theatrical performance. It must be realistic in fighting terms and show concentration, power and potential impact.
Can a 16-year-old enter the senior kata event?
Yes. Senior kata is open from 16. Senior kumite starts at 18.
Why the rule exists
Kata is how karate has been handed down: fixed sequences that hold the art's techniques. Setting two performances side by side gives judges a direct comparison, which is easier to make fairly than a mark given in isolation. It also gives the event the shape of a contest, with a winner going through each round.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kata | Performance, marked by judges; no contact | WKF Kata 3.1 |
| Kumite | A bout between two athletes, scored by techniques | WKF Kumite 8 |
| Senior kata | From 16 | WKF Kata 8.1.2 |
| Senior kumite | From 18 | WKF Kata 8.1.2 |
| Under 14 | The same rules; the kata list may be limited | WKF Kata 3.9 |
From the rule book
World Karate Federation, Kata Competition Rules (version 2026.0, valid from 1 January 2026), Articles 1, 3.1, 3.2, 5.5, 6.9 and 8.1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's Kata Competition Rules.