CATEGORY
Kumite Rules Overview
The Kyokushin-kan America Open follows full contact principles while maintaining safety in line with international and United States standards. Each division is designed to preserve the Kyokushin spirit through strong, controlled technique, respect, and discipline. Protective equipment and contact levels are adjusted by age and rank to ensure that all competitors can demonstrate their skill and spirit in a safe and fair environment.
Gear Requirements
| Age/ Division | Headgear | Mouthguard | Groin Guard (Boys) | Shin Guards | Foot Guards | Hand/ Fist Guards | Chest/ Breast Guard | Knee Guards | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 to 11 Years Old | Mandatory with cage | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory, must be approved equipment | Mandatory | Uniform soft foam chest guard issued by organizer |
| 12 to 15 Years Old | Mandatory with cage | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Boys: Optional soft chest protector worn under the gi. Girls: Required soft chest protector worn under the gi, or an approved breast protector. (Approved equipment may be purchased from the vendor at the venue.) |
Mandatory | All soft type gear only |
| 16 to 17 Years Old | Mandatory no cage | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Boys: Optional soft chest protector worn under the gi. Girls: Required soft chest protector worn under the gi, or an approved breast protector. (Approved equipment may be purchased from the vendor at the venue.) |
Mandatory | All soft type gear only |
| Men Beginner Division 18 and above White to Yellow | Mandatory no cage | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | No | No | No hard shell pads or gloves |
| Women Beginner Division 18 and above White to Yellow | Mandatory no cage | Mandatory | Optional | Mandatory | Mandatory | Optional | Mandatory chest under guard | No | No hard shell body or knee pads |
| Men Advanced 18 to 40 | No | Optional | Mandatory | No | No | No | No | No | Standard full contact rules |
| Women Advanced 18+ Years | No | Optional | Optional | No | No | No | Mandatory breast or chest guard | No | Standard full contact rules |
| Veterans 40 and above | Mandatory no cage | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory for women | Mandatory | Safety emphasis division |
Additional Notes:
- All protective gear must be soft type foam or cloth.
- Hard shell pads, metal inserts, or MMA and boxing gloves are not permitted.
- Chest guards for 4 to 11 years must be approved equipment worn over the gi.
- Headgear without cage applies only to teen, beginner, and veteran divisions.
- Knee guards are optional for men in the Veterans division.
- No gloves or guards are used in advanced divisions unless pre approved by officials.
Kumite Division Structure
| Division | Age | Kyu Level | Division Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| U6 (Mixed Gender) | Under 6 | White to Black and above | Mixed level (all ranks) |
| U8 Boys and Girls Beginner | Under 8 | White to Blue (10th to 7th Kyu) | Beginner |
| U8 Boys and Girls Advanced | Under 8 | Yellow to Black and above (6th Kyu and above) | Advanced |
| U10 Boys and Girls Beginner | Under 10 | White to Blue (10th to 7th Kyu) | Beginner |
| U10 Boys and Girls Advanced | Under 10 | Yellow to Black and above (6th Kyu and above) | Advanced |
| U12 Boys and Girls Beginner | Under 12 | White to Blue (10th to 7th Kyu) | Beginner |
| U12 Boys and Girls Advanced | Under 12 | Yellow to Black and above (6th Kyu and above) | Advanced |
| U14 Boys and Girls Beginner | Under 14 | White to Blue (10th to 7th Kyu) | Beginner |
| U14 Boys and Girls Advanced | Under 14 | Yellow to Black and above (6th Kyu and above) | Advanced |
| U16 Boys and Girls Beginner | Under 16 | White to Blue (10th to 7th Kyu) | Beginner |
| U16 Boys and Girls Advanced | Under 16 | Yellow to Black and above (6th Kyu and above) | Advanced |
| U18 Boys and Girls Beginner | Under 18 | White to Blue (10th to 7th Kyu) | Beginner |
| U18 Boys and Girls Advanced | Under 18 | Yellow to Black and above (6th Kyu and above) | Advanced |
| Adult Men and Women Beginner | 18 and above | White to Yellow (10th Kyu to 5th Kyu) | Beginner |
| Adult Men and Women Advanced | 18 and above | Green to Black and above (4th Kyu and above) | Advanced |
| Veterans | 40 and Above | All Ranks | Safety Emphasis |
Head Contact Policy
| Division | Age Range | Head Contact Rule | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kids Division | 4 to 11 | Circular Head Kicks Only. | Only circular kicks such as mawashi geri or ushiro mawashi geri permitted. No front of face contact. |
| Youth and Teen Division | 12 to 17 | All head kicks are allowed. | All head kicks are allowed. |
| Adults Beginner | 18 and above | All head kicks are allowed. | All head kicks are allowed. |
| Adults Advanced | 18 and above | All head kicks are allowed. | All head kicks are allowed. |
| Veterans Division | 40 and above | All head kicks are allowed. | All head kicks are allowed. |
Safety Summary:
- No face punches are allowed in any division.
- No frontal face kicks such as mae geri or kakato geri are allowed for competitors under 12 years of age.
- All matches emphasize proper technique, discipline, and Kyokushin spirit.
- Kicks to front of the knee are not permitted.