What are the weight categories in karate kumite?
I · Intermediate · The bout · 1 of 10Senior men compete at 60, 67, 75, 84 and over 84 kg, and senior women at 50, 55, 61, 68 and over 68 kg. The weigh-in is held no later than the day before the category, and an athlete steps on the official scales once. Missing the weight, beyond a small tolerance, means disqualification from the category.
How it works
- Senior men: under 60, 67, 75 and 84 kg, and over 84 kg.
- Senior women: under 50, 55, 61 and 68 kg, and over 68 kg.
- Age groups: senior from 18, under 21 for ages 18 to 20, junior for 16 and 17, cadet for 14 and 15 and under 14 for 12 and 13.
- When: no later than the day before the category competes, unless a competition says otherwise.
- Once: an athlete may stand on the scales only once in the official weigh-in.
- Trial weighing: on the official scales, as often as wanted, from one hour before.
- Tolerance: 0.2 kg for men and 0.5 kg for women, at both ends of the class.
- Dress: underclothing only.
- Failing or missing the weigh-in: disqualification from the category, recorded as kiken.
- Team kumite: no weight categories, except in mixed team events that use them.
The glossary has the weight class, the kiken, kumite, the bout, the disqualification and the referee.
Tricky cases
An athlete is 0.3 kg over at the weigh-in. Is that inside the tolerance?
It depends. For a woman it is, since the tolerance is 0.5 kg. For a man it is not, since the tolerance is 0.2 kg.
Can an athlete step off, lose a little weight and try again?
No. Each athlete may stand on the scales once during the official weigh-in. Trial weighing beforehand is unlimited.
The official scale reads higher than the test scale did. What can the athlete do?
Ask to be weighed again. The weight shown on the test scale is then applied as the official result.
Can a 16-year-old compete in senior kumite?
No. Senior kumite athletes must be 18. Senior kata is different and is open from 16.
Why the rule exists
Reach and mass matter in a striking sport, so athletes are grouped by weight. Weighing in the day before, with one attempt, is meant to discourage dehydrating to make a class and then competing drained. The tolerance allows for the difference between scales.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Senior men | 60, 67, 75, 84, over 84 kg | WKF Kumite Appendix 3 |
| Senior women | 50, 55, 61, 68, over 68 kg | WKF Kumite Appendix 3 |
| Tolerance | 0.2 kg men; 0.5 kg women | WKF Kumite 3.2.2 |
| Senior age, kumite | 18 | WKF Kumite 16.1.2 |
| Senior age, kata | 16 | WKF Kata 8.1.2 |
From the rule book
World Karate Federation, Kumite Competition Rules (version 2026.01, valid from 1 January 2026), Articles 3.2, 3.4 and 16.1 and Appendix 3. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's Kumite Competition Rules.