2024 World Tournament non-members

Date

Event

Time

Place

Registration Form

Registration Period

Pre-event

VISA Document

Closed

Sep 27

Weigh-in

09:00-18:00

Honbu

Information TBA

Sep 28

2024 IFKC

13:00-17:00

Maishima Arena

Closed

Sep 28/29

2024 IFKC / WT

Maishima Arena

Closed

Sep 29

1st World Tournament

09:00-18:00

Maishima Arena

Admission Ticket

Jul 15 - Aug 15

Who does not need to purchase an admission ticket?

World Tournament Fighters
Registered Team Representatives
Sponsors

Who must purchase an admission ticket?

General Spectators (Family and friends)
IFKC competitors
Coaches of the World Tournament fighters

Event Schedule

Locations and Access

2024 International Friendship Karate Championships

IFKC at Maishima Arena in Osaka on September 28

IFKC CATEGORY

PROTECTIVE GEAR

Made of soft materials,

not hard plastic ones.

CHANGES THIS YEAR

No beginner and intermediate categories for all Kata, Kumite Children, and Kumite Adults 35+: Day 1 (Sep 28) will host the IFKC. Immediately after the IFKC concludes, the venue will be converted to host the WT to be held on Day 2 (Sep 29). Due to the venue conversion, the time we can spend for the IFKC will be cut short this year. Hence, it can only run the advanced-level categories for all Kata, Kumite Children, and Kumite Adults 35+.
Important change to the type of headgear for Categories 1-15: As we discussed in last year's branch chief conference, the headgear used in the children's categories must have a cage to cover the face. The organizer will lend them to competitors free of charge. However, those who want to purchase one for their own can place an order in advance and pick it up at Honbu. Honbu will begin taking advance orders on June 1st.

MATCH DURATION

Category #1-15

1 min ⇒ 1 min - Judges must make a decision.

Category #1-15

Top 8 Finals

1.5 min ⇒ 1.5 min - Judges must make a decision.

Category #16-27

1.5 min ⇒ 1.5 min - Judges must make a decision.

Category #28-35

2 min ⇒ 2 min - Judges must make a decision.

1.5 min ⇒ 1.5 min - Judges must make a decision.

Category #36-44

Category #45-52

2 min ⇒ 2 min - Judges must make a decision.

SCORING SYSTEM

The 1st I.K.O.N. World Tournament

WT at Maishima Arena in Osaka on September 29

Registration was closed on May 10 as scheduled

WT OVERVIEW

Sunday, September 29, 2024
Maishima Arena, Osaka

Match Duration (Subject to Change)

2 min ⇒ 2 min - Judges must make a decision.

2 min ⇒ 2 min ⇒ 10 kg weight difference ⇒ 2 min - Judges must make a decision.

2 min ⇒ 2 min ⇒ 7 kg weight difference ⇒ 2 min - Judges must make a decision.

3 min ⇒ 2 min ⇒ 10 kg weight difference ⇒ 2 min - Judges must make a decision.

2 min ⇒ 2 min ⇒ 7 kg weight difference ⇒ 2 min - Judges must make a decision.

3 min ⇒ 2 min ⇒ 10 kg weight difference ⇒ 2 min - Judges must make a decision.

A decision by weight for Match# 25-48: If a decision cannot be reached on the 1st extension, a victory is awarded to the competitor lighter in weight by 7 kg or greater in the women's category and 10 kg or greater in the men's category. If the winner cannot be decided even based on the weight difference, a second extension will be conducted and the judges must make a decision.

Protective Gear

〇 Mandatory X Not Allowed △ Optional

Breast Guard for Women

White colored only
Only to cover the chests. The type that covers the abdomen is not allowed.
The inner padding must be made of soft materials like sponge. Hard materials such as plastic are not allowed.

Shin and Instep Pads for Women

White colored only.
The inner padding made of soft materials like sponge and covered by clothes, not leather, with no velcro tape used.

Scoring System

WT CATEGORY

Open Weight

Both women's and men's categories will be open-weight. Honbu will do its best to evenly match up competitors with similar weights for their first round matches.

Age

As a general rule, a competitor needs to be 18 years old or older at the time of the competition. However, an athlete younger than 18 may compete with a strong recommendation from their branch or group representative.

Belt Rank

Only brown or black belt holders can enter the World Tournament with no exception.

# of Competitors

Limited Number of Competitors: The number of competitors in the women's category is limited to sixteen (16). The number of competitors in the men's category is limited to thirty-two (32).

Selection Criteria

In case it receives applications greater than these numbers (16 women and 32 men), Honbu reserves the right to select competitors based on the criteria indicated below. They are in order of priority.

*The other continental tournaments are scheduled to be held after the registration deadline. Hence, they cannot be included in the criteria.

WT THREE TYPES OF PRIZE

Three types of prize will be awarded to the competitors who displayed fine performance meeting the conditions below.

1st Round Winners

100,000 JPY will be awarded to each winner of the 1st round matches (Match ① to ㉔). This excludes a bye win (Automatically advanced to the next match without having to fight an opponent). In case of a bye in the first round, the prize will be awarded when the competitor wins the next match.

Technical and Fighting Spirit Awards

Technical Award: To competitor(s) who displayed superb techniques and advanced in the tournament exceeding the audience's expectations. Contents of the award to be announced later.
Fighting Spirit Award: To competitor(s) who displayed a superior demeanor throughout the day that materialized the Kyokushin spirit through graceful bowings at the beginning and end of a match and a never-give-up spirit during a match. Contents of the award are to be announced later.

World Champions and Placement of Top 4

World Champions: A trophy, a certificate, and prize money (a specific amount to be announced later)
Top 4 Placements: A trophy and a certificate

Selection

Registration

TIMETABLETABLE

* Registration for WT competitors:

It closes two months earlier than that for IFKC. This is because WT will have a limited number of competitors and is expected to go through the selection process. To make travel arrangements, we figure the competitors need a minimum of four months. That is why the WT registration closes on May 10th.
In case the number of WT registrations does not reach the capacity (16 women and 32 men), we may extend the registration period for a few weeks.
Entry Fees: US$150/entry for the WT categories regardless of affiliation. Entry fees for IFKC will be announced later.

** Registration for IFKC:

It will include forms for referees and judges, black belt exams, an international seminar, and a Sayonara party.

PENALTY FOR WITHDRAWAL

A penalty will apply to a competitor who withdraws from WT within 2 months before the event date. This only applies to the WT competitors. Types of the penalty will be released on April 1st when the registration opens. The reasons and background for implementing the strict rule are as follows.

The tournament will look most professional when all 48 competitors (16 women and 32 men) appear on the mat and compete. If any of them fail to appear, it will damage the professionalism and integrity of the competition.
I.K.O.N. Honbu is prepared to invest a considerable amount of money and workforce to make WT a historic success. Honbu staff are passionate about working hard so that the event will look second to none. Sosui Makoto Nakamura and Daihyo Masanaga hope their passion to resonate through the branch and team representatives so all of us share the same values and work collectively.
Based on these reasons, Honbu would like the branch and team representatives to be aware of how important it is to get all 48 competitors to appear on the competition mat on September 29.
When the representatives are aware, their competitors will be as well. Therefore, they will pay meticulous attention to details of their training, mental and physical conditions, travel funds, and arrangements to avoid withdrawing from the tournament.
If a withdrawal occurs, it will negatively influence the professionalism and integrity of the competition, damaging the reputation and trust of a related branch or group as they allowed it to happen.

Withdrawal

Questions? Contact your branch / team representative. They will contact Tats Nakamura of the I.K.O.N. International Department for you.