KUMITE

Classic

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KUMITE CLASSIC

Kumite Classic is an open martial arts karate tournament at the 2025 Arnold Sports Festival Columbus, Ohio Laushce building.  The event is hosting the WAKO USA Nationals as well as the WAKO State games for Ohio.  There is traditional and open  Forms, Weapons, Sparring and Team Sparring for all ranks from beginners to black belts. 

Disciplines:  Japanese Okinawan, Korean, Chinese styles and creative.  Open to all schools and organizations.  Contact Bill Viola Jr. for more info.  724-640-2111 

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🔗 Pre-registration

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Kumite Classic Divisions
Division Ages Gender Rank Forms Day
Under Belt Forms 5 m/f all Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 6 m/f first timers   Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 6 m/f novice Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 7-8 m/f first timers   Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 7-8 m/f novice Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 7-8 m/f intermediate Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 7-8 m/f advanced Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 9-10 m/f first timers   Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 9-10 m/f novice Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 9-10 m/f intermediate Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 9-10 m/f adv Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 11-12 m/f novice Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 11-12 m/f intermediate Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 11-12 m/f advanced Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 13-14 m/f novice Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 13-14 m/f intermediate Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 13-14 m/f advanced Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 15-17 m/f novice Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 15-17 m/f intermediate Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 15-17 m/f advanced Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 18+ m/f  advanced Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 18+ m/f novice Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 35+ M/F senior novice Forms Saturday
Under Belt Forms 35+ m/f senior advanced Forms Saturday
Under Belt Sparring Ages Gender Rank 2 minutes total points  
Under belt sparring 5 m/f all Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 6 m all Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 6 f all Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 7-8 m novice Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 7-8 f novice Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 7-8 m intermediate Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 7-8 f intermediate Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 7-8 m advanced Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 7-8 f advanced Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 9-10 m novice Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 9-10 f novice Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 9-10 m intermediate Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 9-10 f intermediate Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 9-10 m advanced Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 9-10 f advanced Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 11-12 m novice Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 11-12 f novice Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 11-12 m intermediate Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 11-12 f intermediate Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 11-12 m advanced Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 11-12 f advanced Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 13-14 m novice Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 13-14 f novice Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 13-14 m intermediate Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 13-14 f intermediate Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 13-14 m advanced Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 13-14 f advanced Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 15-17 m novice Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 15-17 f novice Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 15-17 m intermediate Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 15-17 f intermediate Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 15-17 m advanced Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 15-17 f advanced Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 18+ f novice Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 18+ f advanced Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 35+ f novice Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 35+ f novice Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 35+  f advanced Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 18+ m novice Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 18+ m advanced Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 35+ m novice Point Sparring Saturday
Under belt sparring 35+  advanced Point Sparring Saturday
Under Belt Weapons Ages Gender Rank Weapons  
Under Belt Weapons 6- m/f all weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 7-8 m/f novice Weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 7-8 m/f intermediate Weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 7-8 m/f advanced Weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 9-10 m/f novice Weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 9-10 m/f intermediate Weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 9-10 m/f advanced Weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 11-12 m/f novice Weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 11-12 m/f intermediate Weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 11-12 m/f advanced Weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 13-14 m/f novice Weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 13-14 m/f intermediate Weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 13-14 m/f advanced Weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 15-17 m/f novice Weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 15-17 m/f advanced Weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 18+ m/f novice Weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 18+ m/f advanced Weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 35+ m/f novice Weapons Friday 
Under Belt Weapons 35+ m/f advanced Weapons Friday 
Tag Team Ages Gender Rank Team Events  
Tag Team 6- m/f all ranks (minium of 2 people max of 3) Tag Team sparring Friday 
Tag Team 7-8 m/f all ranks (minium of 2 people max of 3) Tag Team sparring Friday 
Tag Team 9-10 m/f all ranks (minium of 2 people max of 3) Tag Team sparring Friday 
Tag Team 11-12 m/f all ranks (minium of 2 people max of 3) Tag Team sparring Friday 
Tag Team 13-14 m/f all ranks (minium of 2 people max of 3) Tag Team sparring Friday 
Tag Team 15-17 m/f all ranks (minium of 2 people max of 3) Tag Team sparring Friday 
Black Belt Weapons   Gender   Weapons  
Black Belt Weapons 10- m/f black belt weapons weapons Friday 
Black Belt Weapons 11-12 m/f black belt weapons weapons Friday 
Black Belt Weapons 13-14 m/f black belt weapons weapons Friday 
Black Belt Weapons 15-17 m/f black belt weapons weapons Friday 
Black Belt Weapons 18+ m black belt weapons weapons Friday 
Black Belt Weapons 18+ f black belt weapons weapons Friday 
Black Belt Weapons 35+ m/f black belt weapons weapons Friday 
Black Belt Weapons 45+ m/f black belt weapons weapons Friday 
Black Belt Weapons 55+ m/f black belt weapons Weapons Friday 
Adult Black Belt Forms   Gender rank Adult Forms  
Adult Black Belt Forms 18+ m black belt Japanese/Okinawan Saturday
Adult Black Belt Forms 18+ f black belt Japanese/Okinawan Saturday
Adult Black Belt Forms 18+ m black belt Black Belt Korean Saturday
Adult Black Belt Forms 18+ f black belt Black Belt Korean Saturday
Adult Black Belt Forms 35+ m/f black belt Hardstyle forms Saturday
Adult Black Belt Forms 45+ m/f Black Belt   Hardstyle forms Saturday
Adult Black Belt Forms 55+  m/f Black Belt  Hardstyle forms Saturday
Japanese Forms Youth   Gender Rank Style  
Japanese Forms Youth 10- m/f black belt Japanese/Okinawan Saturday
Japanese Forms Youth 11-12 m black belt Japanese/Okinawan Saturday
Japanese Forms Youth 11-12 f black belt Japanese/Okinawan Saturday
Japanese Forms Youth 13-14 m black belt Japanese/Okinawan Saturday
Japanese Forms Youth 13-14 f black belt Japanese/Okinawan Saturday
Japanese Forms Youth 15-17 m black belt Japanese/Okinawan Saturday
Japanese Forms Youth 15-17 f black belt Japanese/Okinawan Saturday
Korean Forms Youth   Gender Rank Style  
Korean Forms Youth 10- m/f black belt Korean Saturday
Korean Forms Youth 11-12 m black belt Korean Saturday
Korean Forms Youth 11-12 f black belt Korean Saturday
Korean Forms Youth 13-14 m black belt Korean Saturday
Korean Forms Youth 13-14 f black belt Korean Saturday
Korean Forms Youth 15-17 m black belt Korean Saturday
Korean Forms Youth 15-17 f black belt Korean Saturday
           
Black Belt Point   Gender Open Rank / Country Sparring    
Light 18+ m point sparring 163.1 (-74 kg) Friday 
Middle  18+ m point sparring 174.2 (-79 kg) Friday 
Light Heavy 18+ m point sparring 185.2 (-84kg) Friday 
Heavy 18+ m point sparring 196.2 (-89 kg) Friday 
Light 18+ f point sparring 132.3- (-60kg) Friday 
Middle  18+ f point sparring 132-153 (-65 kg) Friday 
  18+ f point sparring 154.3+ (+70kg) Friday 
Senior 35+ m point sparring open weight Friday 
Senior 35+ f point sparring open weight Friday 
Senior 45+ m point sparring open weight Friday 
Jr. BB Point/open rank 11- m open weight divided by short and tall short vs tall Grand Friday 
Jr. BB Point/open rank 12-14 m open weight divided by short and tall short vs tall Grand Friday 
Jr. BB Point/open rank 15-17 m open weight divided by short and tall short vs tall Grand Friday 
Jr. BB Point/open rank 11- f open weight divided by short and tall short vs tall Grand Friday 
Jr. BB Point/open rank 12-14 f open weight divided by short and tall short vs tall Grand Friday 
Jr. BB Point/open rank 15-17 f open weight divided by short and tall short vs tall Grand Friday 
Kumite     Open Rank    
traditional kumite 18+ m   modified wkf style  
tradtitional kumite 18+ f   modified wkf style  
           
Chinese Forms   Gender      
      coming soon    
Chinese Weapons          
      coming soon    
Breaking   Gender      
kumite classic 2025
Kumite Classic Rules

組手 KUMITE CLASSIC RULES

FORMS/WEAPONS:

*rules are subject to change, please check with center judge for any updates.

RINGS: Matted area for divisions

JUDGES: All divisions have the option to use 3 or 5 judges.

MAXIMUM DEVIATION: (only used with a 3-judge panel) .02 is the maximum deviation permitted from the “middle score.” This eliminates the impact of one judge altering the outcome of the entire division. This theory has been tested and utilized in national and international events.

TIES: Broken by head-to-head comparison scores of each individual judge (treated as votes). The majority of votes (higher individual preliminary scores) will break the tie if possible. If it is a “true tie” (unable to be broken) the competitors will run their form again and judges will point (by show of hands) to the winner.       Running a different form is optional and not mandatory.

PROTESTS: Must be made at the time of the ruling. Protocol is to ask the coordinator/scorekeeper to alert the center referee. If the situation requires further investigation the ruling can be arbitrated.. All decisions by the arbitrator are final.  *Protests can only be made by someone with an official coaches pass.

UNIFORM: All competitors must wear a martial arts uniform with no foul or offensive language.

AGE: Competitors must compete their age as of the tournament date as of the Kumite Classic.

SEQUENCE: Luck of the draw, competitor’s cards will be shuffled.  Pre-registered competitors will be seeded in the bottom half of the bracket.

CLOSED DIVISION: A division is considered closed once the first player bows-in to perform a form or once the first sparring match is started. *Exception: computer-based or staff related errors.

RESTARTS: 1 restart is permitted for under black belt divisions only.  No restarts for black belt divisions *Exception: restart for weapons that break during performance.

SCORING RANGE: 9.90-10 (black belts)  9.80-9.90 (under black belts)

TRADITIONAL: No gymnastics, splits, rolls, or creative interpretations. Any traditional uniform with a tie-over-style top is permitted. Patches and/or logos are a non-factor and permitted. A pure white uniform is NOT required, however the uniform should hold true to the standards of the style. Classical Japanese/Okinawan divisions enforce a maximum 4 kiai rule and based on unaltered kata.

FIRST TIMERS:  First timer divisions are for competitors with little to no tournament experience. The purpose it to build self-confidence.  All competitors win an award.

TEAM FORMS

Team forms must have a minimum of 2 players.  No maximum.  The entire team must perform in the “oldest” and/or “highest rank” of any team members.  (Therefore teams can “bump up” divisions but not down).  Teams may perform kata or weapons.  Judges will score on synchronization, technique, intensity and creativity.

SPARRING (POINT FIGHTING)

Point Fighting will use abbreviated WAKO Rules. This is summary used for UNDER BELTS.  BLACK BELTS fighting at Nationals will be subject to the full WAKO rule set and equipment requirements:  DOWNLOAD

UNIFORM: No exposed jewelry or metal.  No shoes

UNDER BLACK BELT EQUIPMENT: It is MANDATORY for all competitors to provide and wear their own approved sport karate head gear, safety boots, safety gloves, mouth guard, and protective cup (males). Highly recommended but not mandatory: elbow pads, face shields, chest protectors, leg pads, and knee pads.

WEIGH-IN: ALL players competing in a weighted division must weigh-in prior to the division

BYES: All byes are randomly selected by computer-based lottery. Competitors from the same school (not team) will not be matched in the first round if possible. *optional: logic is followed by same country then state.

OUT OF BOUNDS: Out of bounds (exit) is when any part of the body touches outside the mat (tatami).  No points can be scored out of bounds.  Intentional exit or avoiding the fight: 1-point penalty.  A contact exit, force-out, or offensive player who steps out due to momentum is not a penalty.

GROUND FIGHTING: Is not permitted

DOWN BY CONTACT: A player is considered down by contact when any part other than hands/feet are touching the ground [knee, elbow, hip, or backside etc.] after making contact with their opponent. The match is stopped.  No Penalty.

FALLING DOWN: A player is considered “fallen” down if they “intentionally” fall to the ground on their own accord (with or without contact).  1-point penalty by majority judge’s discretion.

SCORING TARGETS: Headgear area, face, torso (front/side) with control, light or moderate contact depending on player’s option, skill level, and division.

POINT TECHNIQUES: All clean martial arts punches, kicks, ridge hands, and back fists that use appropriate contact and form in the designated scoring areas. (Important: a hand or foot that touches the scoring area does not always warrant a point. The technique demonstrate martial arts merit). *This is a subjective matter, similar to  umpires calling balls/strikes in baseball.  Protests cannot be filed on judgement of points. The body backfist is a legal WAKO technique, but you must look at target.

SPREAD: 10-point spread (mercy rule) is in effect.

SCORING: 1-point: hand techniques and body kicks. 2-points: head kicks, jump body kicks.  3-points:  spinning head  elevated (jump). 1-point for sweeps (that causes the other player to go down additional point if score on the downed opponent).  Player with the most total accumulative points after the 2-minute round is the winner. Preliminary tie: Sudden Victory (next point wins).

Win BY 2: All “first place” matches must have a 2-point spread to determine the winner.

ILLEGAL TECHNIQUES: Haymaker (swinging/wild punches) with no regard for control, strikes to the groin or throat, uncontrolled, excessive or malicious contact to any area, intentional striking to non-scoring areas (spine, joints, legs etc.), late hits, dropping to the ground to avoid the fight, intentional running out of bounds. LEGAL CONTACT:

  • -CONTROL:  No touch/pulled (Halo)……
  • -LIGHT: Touch…………………………….
  • -MODERATE: Slight penetration………..
  • PENALTY CONTACT:
  • -UNCONTROLLED:  Beyond legal contact (majority judges discretion)
  • -EXCESSIVE: Extreme penetration  (majority judge’s discretion)
  • -MALCIOUS: Intentional excessive contact:  Automatic DQ  (majority judge’s discretion).

PENALTIES: 1-point penalty points: (all infractions based on majority of judges) Uncontrolled contact to any area, intentional running out of bounds, intentionally falling (to avoid the fight),  intentional late hits, retaliation hits, unsportsmanlike conduct.

DQ (Disqualification): is based on the majority vote of the judges (*or if the arbitrator is ringside and witnesses the infraction). Malicious contact is automatic disqualification. Incidental excessive contact, accidental contact and/or self-inflicted injuries that may cause swelling or draw blood are subject to discretion of the arbitrator after consultation with judges. Medical staff has the final say if a competitor can continue or not.

INJURY: If a player is unable to continue on his own accord or is advised by medical staff to bow out due to incidental contact, accidental contact or self-inflicted injury then his opponent will advance.  Players will not        advance if they intentionally injure their opponent or use malicious contact.

CLOCK MANAGEMENT: 2-minute running clock except final 10 seconds (clock is stopped on each “stop” break). Match over at “0” on scoreboard.

(1) Ten-second time out is permitted per match. Coaches must stay within a specified coaches box. Only 1 coach per box.  Coaching without a wristband is a penalty. The timeout can only be used during standard match breaks (not during the flow of a match). A coach does not have to be a black belt (parents are permitted to coach with a coaches pass.  Coaches are only allowed on the competition floor when the specific division is being staged or in progress.  No coaches on the floor for forms divisions.

 

kumite classic 2025
Venue

Lausche Building (Ohio Expo Center)

717 E 17th Ave
Columbus, OH 43211
Just 2.9 miles away from the Columbus Convention Center

 

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Hotel

coming soon…

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Schedule

coming soon…

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Floorplan

coming soon…

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Tickets

Spectator tickets are purchased directly through Arnold Sports online or at the Gate.

Q:  What does my competitor entry fee include?

A:  Competitor wrist bands include admission to martial arts festival and main Arnold Expo at Columbus Convention Center for the entire weekend.

Q:  What is the price for youth spectators?

A:  Spectators age 14-years-old and under get FREE admission all weekend to the kumite classic and Arnold Expo with a paying adult.

Lausche Building (Ohio Expo Center) GATE spectator prices:

*Friday: $25
*Saturday: $25
*Sunday: 25
*Weekend pass: $65

*These martial arts spectator tickets include FREE admission to all Arnold events and main Arnold Expo (Columbus Convention Center).

 

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FAQ

Q:  What does my competitor entry fee include?

A: competitor wrist bands include admission to martial arts festival and main Arnold Expo at Columbus Convention Center for the entire weekend. 

Q:  What is the price for youth spectators?

A:  Spectators age 14-years-old and under get FREE admission all weekend to the kumite classic and Arnold Expo with a paying adult.  

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WAKO Nationals vs STATE GAMES

Q:  What is the difference between Nationals and State Games?

A:  The easiest way to differentiate the two categories is Nationals are for pro/elite level competitors and State Games are for amateur/regional level competitors.  

WAKO NATIONALS: TEAM TRIALS for USA Kickboxing.  This event is reserved for black belts or national level under belts.  You must be a WAKO member to compete.  

WAKO STATE GAMES: State titles  under black belts can earn. All ranks from beginners to black belts in regional competition.  

 

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