World Karate-Do Federation
Founder: of WKDF Philisopher Super Grandmaster King Mohammadullah Omar Iman Dost
WKDF
WORLD KARATE-DO FEDERATION
OFFICIAL WKDF KARATE-DO COMBAT RULE BOOK
Professional Multi-Style Karate Combat Regulations
The WKDF Karate-Do Combat Rule Book shall constitute an independent and professional competition regulations document of the World Karate-Do Federation (WKDF).
These regulations are designed to establish a unified international combat system while preserving the identity, philosophy, technical principles, and heritage of Karate-Do.
The WKDF Karate-Do Combat system is designed as a professional combat discipline with a technical range comparable to modern mixed martial arts, while maintaining Karate-Do as its fundamental identity and foundation.
1. PURPOSE OF THE WKDF KARATE-DO COMBAT SYSTEM
The purpose of WKDF Karate-Do Combat is to create a unified competition system in which practitioners from different Karate styles can compete under one internationally recognized set of rules.
The system recognizes the diversity of Karate styles, including but not limited to:
- Shotokan
- Goju-Ryu
- Shito-Ryu
- Wado-Ryu
- Shorin-Ryu
- Uechi-Ryu
- Kyokushin
- Shinkyokushin
- Ashihara
- Enshin
- Isshin-Ryu
- Shotokai
- and other recognized Karate-Do schools and branches.
Each athlete may preserve and represent the technical identity of their original Karate style.
The WKDF rules establish a common competition framework, not a replacement for individual Karate styles.
2. KARATE-DO IDENTITY
The fundamental principle of the system shall be:
KARATE FIRST — COMBAT COMPLETE
WKDF Karate-Do Combat is based upon the fundamental principles of Karate-Do, including:
- Kihon
- Kata
- Kumite
- Kamae
- Maai
- Tai Sabaki
- Kime
- Zanshin
- Timing
- Distance Control
- Speed
- Accuracy
- Controlled Power
- Striking
- Throwing
- Grappling
- Ground Fighting
- Submission
The purpose of incorporating additional combat elements is not to transform Karate into another martial art, but to develop a complete modern Karate-Do combat competition system.
3. SCOPE OF THE COMBAT SYSTEM
WKDF Karate-Do Combat consists of four interconnected phases:
Phase I — STRIKING
Standing Karate combat, including punches, open-hand techniques and kicks.
Phase II — CLINCH
Close-range combat, including body control, short strikes, knees and transitions.
Phase III — THROWING & TAKEDOWN
Karate-based and approved combat throws, sweeps, trips and takedowns.
Phase IV — GROUND FIGHTING & SUBMISSION
Full ground combat, positional control, ground strikes and submission techniques.
The athlete may transition freely between these phases, subject to the rules of the competition.
4. PROFESSIONAL COMPETITION FORMAT
Professional WKDF Karate-Do Combat bouts shall normally consist of:
Standard Professional Bout
3 rounds × 5 minutes
with:
1-minute rest between rounds.
Professional Championship Bout
5 rounds × 5 minutes
with:
1-minute rest between rounds.
The WKDF Competition Commission may establish different formats for specific events, divisions or age categories.
5. LEVELS OF COMPETITION
WKDF shall maintain a unified rules system while applying different levels of technical restriction according to athlete experience.
Level 1 — NOVICE
Entry-level competition with enhanced safety restrictions.
Level 2 — INTERMEDIATE
Expanded striking, clinch and takedown regulations.
Level 3 — ADVANCED
Expanded combat rules, including broader grappling provisions.
Level 4 — PROFESSIONAL
Full WKDF Professional Karate-Do Combat Rules.
Level 5 — WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PROFESSIONAL
The highest level of WKDF competition.
The complete submission system may be applied at the Professional and World Championship levels.
6. LEGAL STRIKING TECHNIQUES
6.1 Hand Techniques
The following techniques may be permitted:
- Seiken Tsuki
- Oi Tsuki
- Gyaku Tsuki
- Kizami Tsuki
- Uraken
- Shita Tsuki
- Jab
- Cross
- Hook
- Overhand
All techniques must comply with the legal target areas.
6.2 Open-Hand Techniques
The following Karate techniques may be permitted:
- Shuto
- Haito
- Haishu
- Teisho
- Nukite
Techniques directed toward the eyes, throat or other prohibited targets are strictly forbidden.
7. LEGAL KICKING TECHNIQUES
WKDF Karate-Do Combat permits a broad range of Karate kicking techniques, including:
- Mae Geri
- Mawashi Geri
- Yoko Geri
- Ushiro Geri
- Ura Mawashi Geri
- Mikazuki Geri
- Kakato Geri
- Fumikomi
- Front Kick
- Side Kick
- Round Kick
- Low Kick
- Calf Kick
All kicks must be performed within the legal target areas and according to the applicable division rules.
8. ELBOW TECHNIQUES
Elbow strikes may be permitted in Adult Advanced and Professional divisions.
Legal elbow techniques may include:
- Straight Elbow
- Horizontal Elbow
- Diagonal Elbow
- Upward Elbow
- Spinning Elbow
Elbow strikes to the following areas are prohibited:
- Eyes
- Throat
- Back of the head
- Spine
- Groin
Elbow techniques shall be prohibited or restricted in youth divisions according to WKDF medical and safety regulations.
9. KNEE TECHNIQUES
Knee strikes may be permitted in Adult Professional Combat divisions.
Permitted techniques may include:
- Straight Knee
- Round Knee
- Side Knee
- Clinch Knee
- Flying Knee
Knee strikes to a grounded opponent shall be governed by specific WKDF Professional Rules and may be restricted according to the opponent’s position.
10. CLINCH FIGHTING
Clinch fighting is an official component of WKDF Karate-Do Combat.
An athlete may:
- Control the opponent’s body;
- Control the arms;
- Control the head within legal limits;
- Execute legal knees;
- Execute throws;
- Execute takedowns;
- Transition to ground fighting;
- Attempt submissions.
Passive clinching without effective offensive or positional activity may result in a referee intervention.
11. THROWING AND TAKEDOWNS
Throws and takedowns are an integral component of WKDF Karate-Do Combat.
Approved techniques may include:
- Ashi Barai
- De Ashi Barai
- Ouchi Gari
- Osoto Gari
- Kosoto Gari
- Uchi Mata
- Hip Throws
- Shoulder Throws
- Sweeps
- Single-Leg Takedowns
- Double-Leg Takedowns
- Body Takedowns
All throws must be executed with reasonable control.
Techniques intentionally designed to cause dangerous impact to the head or neck are prohibited.
12. GROUND FIGHTING
Unlike traditional point-based Kumite, WKDF Karate-Do Combat recognizes ground fighting as a complete and official phase of combat.
Athletes may use recognized grappling positions, including:
- Guard
- Half Guard
- Side Control
- Mount
- Back Control
- Turtle Position
- Knee-on-Belly
- Other recognized control positions.
13. FULL SUBMISSION SYSTEM
Professional Division
WKDF Professional Karate-Do Combat shall permit a FULL SUBMISSION SYSTEM.
An athlete may win a bout by submission.
Permitted submission categories may include:
Chokes
- Rear Naked Choke
- Guillotine
- Arm Triangle
- Triangle
- D’Arce
- Anaconda
- Other approved choking techniques
Arm Locks
- Armbar
- Straight Arm Lock
- Americana
- Kimura
- Omoplata
Leg Locks
- Straight Ankle Lock
- Kneebar
- Toe Hold
- Other approved leg-lock techniques
The WKDF Technical and Medical Commissions may restrict specific techniques when necessary for athlete safety.
14. SUBMISSION
A submission may occur through:
- Physical tap;
- Verbal submission;
- Clear expression of surrender;
- Referee intervention;
- Medical stoppage resulting from a submission attempt.
Once a submission has been recognized, the attacking athlete must immediately release the technique.
15. TECHNICAL SUBMISSION
A Technical Submission may be declared when:
- The athlete is unable to physically tap;
- The athlete verbally indicates surrender;
- The referee determines that the submission has been successfully applied;
- The referee or physician determines that continuation would create an unreasonable risk of serious injury.
16. GROUND-AND-POUND
Ground-and-pound may be permitted in Professional WKDF Karate-Do Combat.
Permitted strikes may include:
- Punches;
- Open-hand strikes;
- Short-range strikes;
- Approved elbows.
Strikes to the following areas remain prohibited:
- Eyes;
- Back of the head;
- Spine;
- Throat;
- Groin.
17. KNOCKDOWN
A knockdown occurs when a legal technique causes an athlete to:
- Fall to the ground;
- Lose effective balance;
- Become temporarily unable to defend intelligently.
The referee may:
- Allow the action to continue;
- Stop the contest;
- Consult the ringside physician;
- Declare a technical stoppage.
18. KNOCKOUT
A KO occurs when a legal technique renders an athlete unable to continue the contest.
The referee shall immediately stop the bout.
19. TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT
A TKO may be declared when:
- The athlete cannot intelligently defend;
- The athlete receives sustained effective attacks;
- A significant injury occurs;
- The ringside physician stops the contest;
- The referee determines that continuation is unsafe;
- The athlete’s corner stops the contest in accordance with WKDF regulations.
20. LEGAL TARGET AREAS
Legal target areas shall include approved portions of:
Head
The legal portions of the head as defined by the specific competition rules.
Body
- Chest
- Abdomen
- Ribs
- Sides of the torso
- Other approved areas
Legs
- Thighs
- Approved portions of the lower leg
21. PROHIBITED TARGETS
Attacks against the following targets are prohibited:
- Eyes
- Inside of the eyes
- Throat
- Back of the head
- Spine
- Groin
- Anus
- Small joints of the fingers
- Any prohibited anatomical area identified by the WKDF Medical Commission
22. PROHIBITED ACTIONS
The following actions are prohibited:
- Eye gouging;
- Biting;
- Hair pulling;
- Fish hooking;
- Groin attacks;
- Attacks to the back of the head;
- Attacks to the spine;
- Throat attacks;
- Intentional manipulation of small finger joints;
- Attacks after the referee’s command to stop;
- Attacking an opponent outside the competition area;
- Attacking a referee or official;
- Unsportsmanlike conduct;
- Deliberate continuation of a submission after the referee has stopped the contest;
- Use of prohibited substances or foreign materials;
- Intentional deception regarding injury;
- Deliberate avoidance of combat;
- Any technique determined by the referee or Medical Commission to present an unreasonable risk of serious injury.
23. JUDGING AND SCORING
WKDF professional bouts shall be judged according to the following hierarchy:
Priority 1
Effective Striking
Priority 2
Effective Grappling
Priority 3
Effective Takedowns and Throws
Priority 4
Effective Ground Control
Priority 5
Effective Submission Attempts
Priority 6
Effective Aggression
Priority 7
Control of the Competition Area
The judges shall evaluate the total effectiveness of the athlete’s combat performance.
24. METHODS OF VICTORY
A WKDF Karate-Do Combat bout may be won by:
- Submission;
- Technical Submission;
- KO;
- TKO;
- Unanimous Decision;
- Split Decision;
- Majority Decision;
- Disqualification;
- Medical Stoppage;
- Corner Stoppage;
- Walkover;
- Other officially recognized methods established by the WKDF Competition Commission.
25. JUDGES
Professional WKDF contests should be judged by a minimum of three qualified judges.
Judges must remain impartial and must not have:
- A financial conflict of interest;
- A coaching relationship with either athlete;
- A personal conflict with either athlete;
- Any other material conflict of interest.
26. REFEREE
The referee is responsible for:
- Athlete safety;
- Enforcement of the rules;
- Starting and stopping the contest;
- Issuing warnings;
- Penalizing fouls;
- Recognizing submissions;
- Recognizing KO/TKO;
- Controlling athlete conduct;
- Controlling the competition area;
- Coordinating with the ringside physician.
The referee’s instructions must be obeyed immediately.
27. MEDICAL AUTHORITY
The official WKDF ringside physician shall have independent authority to stop a contest whenever an athlete’s health or safety is at unacceptable risk.
No athlete, coach, official or promoter may force a physician to allow an unsafe athlete to continue.
28. ATHLETE SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Required equipment shall include:
- WKDF-approved gloves;
- Mouthguard;
- Hand wraps;
- Groin protection where applicable;
- Other protective equipment required by the athlete’s division.
Additional protective equipment may be required for amateur and youth divisions.
29. WKDF COMBAT GLOVES
WKDF may establish its own official Combat glove standard.
The glove should permit both:
- Effective striking;
- Effective grappling and submission fighting.
The glove design must therefore balance impact protection, hand protection and grappling functionality.
30. WEIGHT CLASSES
WKDF shall establish official male and female weight divisions.
Weight divisions may include:
- Atomweight
- Strawweight
- Flyweight
- Bantamweight
- Featherweight
- Lightweight
- Welterweight
- Middleweight
- Light Heavyweight
- Heavyweight
- Super Heavyweight
Exact weight limits shall be established by the WKDF Competition Commission and published in the official event regulations.
31. CORNER REGULATIONS
Each athlete may have an officially authorized corner team.
Corner personnel shall not:
- Enter the competition area during the bout;
- Physically interfere with the opponent;
- Physically interfere with the referee;
- Insult officials;
- Throw unauthorized objects into the competition area;
- Interfere with the medical team.
32. CORNER STOPPAGE
An athlete’s corner may request a stoppage according to WKDF procedures.
Such a result shall be recorded as:
Technical Corner Stoppage
33. PASSIVE GRAPPLING
An athlete may not intentionally use grappling solely to delay the contest.
Passive behavior may include:
- Holding without attacking;
- Maintaining a position without meaningful advancement;
- Repeatedly avoiding engagement;
- Holding the opponent against the boundary without effective action.
The referee may order:
ACTION
or:
WORK
If passive behavior continues, the referee may issue a warning or penalty.
34. ESCAPE FROM THE COMPETITION AREA
An athlete may not intentionally leave the competition area to avoid:
- Striking;
- Takedowns;
- Ground fighting;
- Submission;
- Continued combat.
Deliberate escape may result in a warning, point deduction or disqualification.
35. RESPECT AND KARATE-DO ETIQUETTE
All WKDF athletes shall observe the principles of Karate-Do:
- Respect;
- Discipline;
- Self-control;
- Integrity;
- Courage;
- Humility;
- Sportsmanship.
The athlete must respect:
- Opponent;
- Referee;
- Judges;
- Coaches;
- Medical staff;
- Officials;
- WKDF.
The objective of combat is competition, not hatred.
36. UNITY OF KARATE STYLES
WKDF does not seek to transform one Karate style into another.
The purpose of WKDF is:
Shotokan + Goju-Ryu + Shito-Ryu + Wado-Ryu + Kyokushin + other recognized styles
under one unified international Combat Rules system.
The athlete may preserve the identity and technical heritage of their original style while competing under the common WKDF rules.
37. OFFICIAL WKDF COMBAT PRINCIPLE
ONE ARENA — MANY STYLES — ONE KARATE-DO
The WKDF Karate-Do Combat system is therefore defined as:
Striking + Clinch + Throwing + Takedown + Grappling + Ground Fighting + Submission
with:
Karate-Do as its technical and philosophical foundation.
38. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
The winner of each official WKDF World Championship division shall be recognized as:
WKDF WORLD KARATE-DO COMBAT CHAMPION
The champion shall receive the official WKDF championship title and, where applicable, the official WKDF World Championship Belt.
39. OFFICIAL DISCIPLINE NAME
English
WKDF KARATE-DO COMBAT
Full Official Name
WORLD KARATE-DO FEDERATION PROFESSIONAL MULTI-STYLE KARATE-DO COMBAT
Abbreviation
WKDF KDC
World Championship
WKDF WORLD KARATE-DO COMBAT CHAMPIONSHIP
40. FINAL PRINCIPLE
WKDF Karate-Do Combat is intended to create a complete modern combat discipline without abandoning the principles and identity of Karate-Do.
The system combines:
KARATE
STRIKING
CLINCH
THROWING
TAKEDOWN
GRAPPLING
GROUND FIGHTING
SUBMISSION
into one unified international competition framework.
