✅ More info about TATAMI or “puzzle mat competition”
WAKO “TATAMI” DIVISIONS INCLUDE: 7 Categories *all athletes referred to as “kickboxers”
1. 🥋 POINT FIGHTING (PF)
2. 🥋 LIGHT CONTACT (LC)
3. 🥋 KICK LIGHT (KL)
4. 🥋 MUSICAL FORMS (MF)
5. 🥋 CREATIVE FORMS (CF)
6. 🥋 MUSICAL WEAPONS (MW)
7. 🥋 CREATIVE WEAPONS (CW)
FAQ: RULES @ A Glance. These are a summary of most common rules and regulations.
Competitors competing in both disciplines (musical forms and creative forms) must perform a totally different Creative form to their Musical form, therefore developing two separate disciplines.
Age Categories & Divisions
Kickboxers (tatami based point fighters) are divided into age and weight categories which are defined in Ring General Rules and Tatami General Rules. Age is determined by the year of birth.
Be sure to register in the appropriate age group.
Age Categories & Divisions
Kickboxers are divided into age and weight categories determined by the year of birth. *December 31st 2025.
LEARN THE LINGO:
➡️ CHILDREN (CH) Boys and girls 7,8,9 yrs.
➡️ YOUNGER CADETS (YC) Boys and girls 10,11,12 yrs.
➡️ OLDER CADETS (OC) Boys and girls 13,14,15 yrs.
➡️ JUNIORS (J) Male and female 16,17,18 yrs.
➡️ SENIORS (S) Male and female 19-40 yrs.
➡️ MASTER CLASS (VETERANS) (V) Male and female 41-55 yrs.
CHILDREN (CH): 7,8 and 9 years old. the age group is determined by date of birth Dec. 31st 2025
⏰ Two X 1 min rounds with 30 sec break
YOUNGER CADETS (YC): 10, 11 and 12 years old. The age group is determined by date of birth Dec. 31st 2025
⏰ Two X 90 second rounds with 1 min break
OLDER CADETS (OC): 13, 14 and 15 years old. determined by date of birth Dec. 31st 2025
⏰ Two x 2 min rounds with 1 min break or Two 90 second rounds with 30 sec break (Promoter’s option)
JUNIORS (J): 16, 17 and 18 years old. determined by date of birth Dec. 31st 2025
⏰ Two x 2 min rounds with 1 min break or Three x 2 min rounds with 1 min break (Promoter’s option)
SENIORS category (S): 19 to 40 years old. The age group is determined by the year of birth. determined by date of birth Dec. 31st 2025
⏰ Two x 2 min rounds with 1 min break or Three x 2 min rounds with 1 min break (Promoter’s option)
MASTER CLASS (VETERANS) (V): 41 to 55 years old. Determined by date of birth Dec. 31st 2025
⏰ Two x 2 min rounds with 1 min break or Two 90 sec rounds with 30 sec break (Promoter’s option)
🧩 Categories for TATAMI Fighting Divisions (P) (KL) (LC)
♂️ Boys -18 kg, -21 kg, -24 kg, -27 kg, -30 kg, -33 kg, -36 kg, +36 kg
♀️ Girls -18 kg, -21 kg, -24 kg, -27 kg, -30 kg, -33 kg, -36 kg, +36 kg
♂️ Boys -28 kg, -32 kg, -37 kg, -42 kg, -47 kg, +47 kg
♀️ Girls -28 kg, -32 kg, -37 kg, -42 kg, -47 kg, +47 kg
♂️ Boys -32 kg, -37 kg, -42 kg, -47 kg, -52 kg, -57 kg, -63 kg, -69 kg, +69 kg
♀️ Girls -32 kg, -37 kg, -42 kg, -46 kg, -50 kg, -55 kg, -60 kg, -65 kg, + 65 kg
♂️ Male -57 kg, -63 kg, -69 kg, -74 kg, -79 kg, -84 kg, -89 kg, -94 kg, +94 kg
♀️ Female -50 kg, -55 kg, -60 kg, -65 kg, -70 kg, +70 kg
♂️ Male -57 kg, -63 kg, -69 kg, -74 kg, -79 kg, -84 kg, -89 kg, -94 kg, +94 kg
♀️ Female -50 kg, -55 kg, -60 kg, -65 kg, -70 kg, +70 kg
♂️ Male -63 kg, -74 kg, -84 kg, -94 kg, +94 kg
♀️ Female – 55 kg, -65 kg + 65 kg
✅ POINT FIGHTING
A 10 point spread declares the winner
Mandatory Equipment for Point Fighting (PF):
Uniforms for Point Fighting:
Scoring for Point Fighting, Light Contact and Kick Light:
1️⃣ 1 pt All punches, kick to the body, or foot sweep
2️⃣ 2 pts Kick to head, jumping kick to the body.
3️⃣ 3 pts Jumping kick to head only awarded if kickboxer is still in the air when the technique is landed. *must land (can’t fall to score).
Rules: All competitors must familiarize themselves with the rules for each division.
🚫 WARNINGS 🚫
Only 4 official warnings can be given in the same bout:
Out of bounds are called “Exits” rules: (voluntary exit)
No jewelry of any kind is permitted.
Competitors must come to ring with all the required equipment/uniforms ready to compete. If the competitor is not ready to compete they have 2 minutes. After 2 minutes if not ready to compete the competitor will be disqualified. It is the competitor’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with the rules and mandatory gear/uniforms.
✅ LIGHT CONTACT (aka continuous) AND KICK LIGHT
A 15 point spread by 2 judges declares the winner
Mandatory Equipment for Light Contact (aka Continuous) & Kick Light
Uniforms for Light Contact (aka Continuous) :
Uniforms for Kick Light
✅ MUSCIAL AND CREATIVE FORMS/WEAPONS
Musical Forms (MF)
In Musical Forms competitions there are two (2) categories both for men and women.
Creative Form (CF)
In Creative Forms competitions there are 10 divisions: Men, Women, Boys, Girls, Teams. Creative forms competitors cannot use music of any sort. ALL CREATIVE FORMS will be performed WITHOUT MUSIC.
Creative Weapons (CW)
Musical Weapons (CW)
LINKS
Please visit the following websites to learn more
The official website of WAKO International: https://wako.sport/
The Official website of WAKO USA: https://www.wakousa.org/
Excellence
WAKO is committed to developing world-class athletes, focusing on high standards in training, competition, and sportsmanship. Through rigorous discipline and a passion for excellence, WAKO athletes embody the spirit of perseverance and skill required at the Olympic level.
Respect
At the heart of WAKO is mutual respect. We promote fair play and ethical conduct among athletes, coaches, and federations, mirroring the Olympic ideal of respect for competitors, the sport, and the global kickboxing community.
Friendship
WAKO fosters global connections and camaraderie through its international events. By bringing athletes from diverse cultures together, we build friendships, encourage cultural exchange, and strengthen the spirit of unity that the Olympic movement represents.
Competitors must come to ring with all the required equipment/uniforms ready to compete. If the competitor is not ready to compete they have 2 minutes. After 2 minutes if not ready to compete the competitor will be disqualified. It is the competitor’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with the rules and mandatory gear/uniforms.
LINKS
Please visit the following websites to learn more
The official website of WAKO International: https://wako.sport/
The Official website of WAKO USA: https://www.wakousa.org/
FACE MASKS ARE only required for youth 12 years old and & younger for all sparring divisions. CHILDREN (7-9) and YOUNGER CADETS (10-12). *All other ages are NOT permitted to wear face shield.
TATAMI INFO: At Nationals we DO NOT require red/blue gear (or any specific brand for tatami). Any standard Century, Top Ten etc. gear with no open hand gloves (thumb must be attached) with fingers covered similar to the photos are permitted. If you earn a spot on the US team and attend the Pan-American or World Championships, you will need specific red/blue colored gear. Any color is permitted at nationals.
👊 Point fighting – gi/uniform
👊 Light contact (continuous) pants and t-shirt
👊 Kick light (continuous with leg kicks) -shorts and sleeveless shirt
👊 Forms (with and without weapons)
REQUIRED GEAR
✅ Point fighting:
GLOVES: 8 Oz (226 grams) standard point fighting gloves from century, top ten, etc. No open hand gloves, thumb must be attached (fingers covered).
✅ Light contact (continuous)
GLOVES: weight 10 Oz (283 grams). No boxing laces. Velcro style karate gloves. No open hand gloves, thumb must be attached (fingers covered).
✅ Kick light (continuous with leg kicks)
GLOVES: weight 10 Oz (283 grams) No boxing laces. Velcro style karate gloves. No open hand gloves, thumb must be attached (fingers covered).