KARATE EXPO 2025 Requirements and Precautions for Competitors

All the competitors participating in the 1st World Full Contact Karate Championship, the 2nd International Fullcontact Karate Championship, and the 1st International Senior Fullcontact Championship held at Ariake Arena from Saturday, May 31 to Sunday, June 1, 2025, are requested to carefully review the following requirements and precautions before attending the Tournament:

① All participants (including team representatives, companions, seconds, guardians, and related personnel) must act in accordance with all regulations, rules, items outlined in these guidelines, information on the official website, and any other instructions issued by the organizers.
② Please bring your health insurance card on the day of the tournament. In the event of an injury or accident (including serious injury, death, or permanent disability) during the match, compensation will be provided within the scope of the liability insurance held by the organizer. However, the organizer shall bear no responsibility beyond that scope. In such cases, the participant and all related parties shall not make any claims or complaints for damages against the organizer, tournament officials, or opponents. To apply for insurance coverage, please contact the organizer within one week after the end of the tournament. Applications submitted after this period will not be accepted.
③ If a participant (including team representatives, companions, seconds, guardians, and related personnel) is found to have complained to or behaved rudely or violently (as determined by the organizer) toward referees or staff, the participant will be immediately disqualified. Furthermore, both the individual and their affiliated style/organization will be prohibited from participating in future tournaments.
④ The tournaments are subject to doping control in accordance with the Japan Anti-Doping Regulations. By submitting an entry application, the participant is deemed to have agreed to undergo doping control procedures under these regulations. Refusing or avoiding a doping test (regardless of the specimen type, such as urine or blood), failing to follow the inspector’s instructions, or being unable to complete the test due to personal reasons, such as travel schedules, may constitute a violation of anti-doping rules. If deemed a violation, the participant may be subject to sanctions in accordance with the Japan Anti-Doping Regulations. In addition, those selected for blood testing must remain at rest for two hours after the match for the blood draw.
⑤ If a participant withdraws from a match without a valid reason, a penalty fee of 150,000 yen must be paid. Exceptions are as follows:
a) The tournament doctor conducts a medical examination and determines that the participant is unfit to continue.
b) An unforeseen accident involving the participant occurs just before or during the match, and the Tournament Executive Chairman and Chief Referee approve the withdrawal after discussion.
※ If the participant is unable to attend the tournament due to an unforeseen accident in advance, please promptly contact the tournament office.
⑦ Personal information submitted during the application process will be strictly managed by the organizer and will not be used for any purpose other than communication related to the tournament without prior consent.

2. Competitor Registration: Weigh-in, Bib Sewing, and Supporter Check

KARATE EXPO 2025_Competitor Registration Guidelines
① Check-in
Please receive your Official Pass and the tournament pamphlet at the 1F Tour desk of the Official Hotel.
*Weigh-in, Supporter Check, and Bib Sewing cannot proceed without an Official Pass.
*The Official Pass serves as the access ticket and must be worn inside the venue at all times.

② Weigh-in
All participating athletes are required to undergo an official weigh-in designated by the organizer. The weigh-ins will be conducted at the Official hotel. Please refer to the “Competitor Registration Guidelines” for details.
*Official Weight
Weigh-ins will be conducted in mixed-gender settings. Athletes must wear designated clothing: Dogi pants and a short-sleeved T-shirt. The official weight will be calculated by subtracting 1kg from the measured weight in this attire.
If you wear anything other than the designated, the measured weight will be taken as-is (no subtraction).
Weigh-ins in underwear only or nude are strictly prohibited.
Athletes will be disqualified if:
• They exceed the weight limit for their category,
• There is a weight difference of 7 kg or more between the declared weight on the entry form and the official weight, or
• They fail to weigh in within the designated time.
Note: Even if the weight difference is less than 7kg, athletes who exceed the category weight limit at weigh-in will be disqualified.
Examples: (Category: Under 70kg)
1. Entry weight: 67kg / Weigh-in: 69kg → ✅ Within 7kg difference and under 70kg → Eligible
2. Entry weight: 61kg / Weigh-in: 69kg → ❌ Weight difference ≥ 7kg, even within 70kg → Disqualified
3. Entry weight: 69kg / Weigh-in: 75kg → ❌ Under 7kg difference but over 70kg → Disqualified
③ Supporter Check
After completing the weigh-in, athletes must undergo checks for supporters (Women Competitors and Senior Championship Competitors).
④ Bib Sewing
• Bibs and shoulder logos will be sewn on at the Official Hotel. Please bring your Dogi Jacket at the designated time mentioned in “Competitor Registration Guidelines”.

3. Progress of the Tournament

KARATE EXPO 2025_Tournament Schedule
• On the first day, the International Senior Tournament will take place in the morning, followed by the World Championship and International Tournament in the afternoon.
• Athletes should enter the venue according to the timing of their scheduled matches.
• On the first day (May 31), priority entry will be given to athletes competing in the International Senior Tournament. All other athletes should enter the venue after general admission begins at 9:00 AM.

① Opening Ceremony (First Day Only)
• There will be two opening ceremonies on the first day: one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
• At the designated times:
o All athletes competing in the International Senior Tournament must gather at their respective match courts for the morning ceremony.
o All World Championship Competitors and International Tournament Competitors (excluding men’s heavyweight division) must gather at their respective match courts for the afternoon ceremony.
• Men’s heavyweight competitors in the International Tournament are not required to attend the ceremony, as their matches begin later. Please arrive in time for your match.

② Warm-ups must be conducted only in the Sub Arena.
• Warm-ups in other areas, such as the lobby or hallways, are strictly prohibited.
• Any athlete found warming up in restricted areas may be disqualified.
③ Athletes may enter the Arena starting from five matches before their scheduled bout.
• Please wait in the designated red or white waiting area near your match court.
④ There will be no individual calls or announcements for athletes.
• Athletes are responsible for being at the court on time. Lateness will result in disqualification.
• After your match, please promptly leave the arena.
• Match times will be displayed on large digital timers (LinkageBoard, produced by Linkage LLC) at each court.
• Red-side competitors must bring their own red belts, which will not be provided. Please refer to the “Uniform Guidelines” for details.
⑤ Each competitor may have up to 2 seconds (coaches) during their match.
• Only 1 accompanying person is allowed at initial entry to the venue in the morning.
• Each person must have either an official pass or an arena ticket for entry.
• Athletes who have been eliminated must still present their athlete pass to re-enter.
⑥ Athletes who are no longer competing must promptly leave the arena and return to the designated competitors’ seating area.

4. Award Ceremonies & Photography
• An award ceremony will only be held for the World Championship.
• There will be no award ceremonies for the International Championship or the International Senior Championship.
• However, athletes who place in these tournaments will participate in official photo sessions at a designated area in the arena.
• On May 31 (first day), athletes who place 3rd in the International Championship will have their photo taken on the second day after the finals of their respective categories.
Please wear your Dogi, bring your trophy/medal, and be ready at the photo area before your category’s final begins.
Finals schedule for the International Championship (tentative):
• 12:00 PM – Women’s category (immediately after the opening ceremony)
• 12:25 PM – Men’s category

5. Photography and Social Media

① Posting match videos from this event on social media is strictly prohibited.
• Violation will result in disqualification, regardless of the match result, and the athlete will be considered to have forfeited their eligibility to compete.
• Additionally, a penalty fee equivalent to item ⑥ under “Participation Rules” will apply.
• If a second (Coach) commits this violation, the penalty will apply to the athlete they are supporting.
② Portrait rights of participating athletes belong to the organizer.
• Photos or videos (including names and partial addresses) of the participants may be used in official advertisements, publications, catalogs, and on the event’s website.
• Media coverage may occur, and footage/images may be broadcast or published. Thank you for your understanding.

6. Competitor Support Banners

If you wish to display a banner in support of a competitor, please follow the procedures below:
Schedule for Banner Setup on the Day Before the Tournament (Friday, May 30):
1. Numbered tickets will be distributed from 16:00 to 16:30 outside the main entrance.
2. A drawing will begin at 16:30 in the order of the distributed tickets.
3. Starting at 17:00, groups will enter the 3rd-floor stands one by one based on the lottery order, at 1-minute intervals, to hang their banners.
• Banners cannot be placed in areas that would interfere with tournament operations. Please refer to the designated banner display areas.
• Due to limited space, please be considerate and share space with others.
• Each group may consist of up to two people, and only one ticket per person will be accepted (i.e., one ticket = one banner).

7. Taping Guidelines

If you require taping due to an injury that occurred before the tournament, you must bring a medical certificate from an orthopedic doctor, clearly stating the diagnosis. (Certificates written by non-doctors, such as osteopaths or therapists, are not accepted.)
• On the day of the tournament, you must obtain approval from the official tournament doctor.
• Taping is only permitted once it has been stamped by the tournament doctor.
• Similarly, for injuries that occur during the tournament, taping will require inspection and stamping by the tournament doctor.
Please note: As a general principle, the tournament does not allow taping or support gear during matches (this includes nasal strips like Breathe Right). Taping is not permitted unless strictly necessary.
Please also observe the following:
a) Based on fairness, taping must be applied by the athlete or their staff. Medical personnel will not assist.
b) If the taping is deemed potentially dangerous (e.g., can be used as a weapon), it will need to be re-wrapped. Generally, no more than two layers are allowed.
c) The head referee may order a re-wrap if the taping is deemed inappropriate, even beyond the rules stated above.
For more information, please refer to the full Taping Guidelines.

8. Supporter Guidelines

Please refer to the official Supporter Guidelines for full details.
• Female athletes must wear plain white inner T-shirts under their Dogi.
o No logos, prints, or patterns are allowed (even small manufacturer logos).
o Exception: Participants in the International Senior Tournament may wear T-shirts with a small logo.
Athletes competing in the International Senior Championship must also review the Supporter Guidelines on the JFKO website and use only approved protective gear.
• Use of non-approved protective gear or missing required protective items will result in disqualification.
• The following items are not permitted:
o Plastic face shields, punching gloves
o Vertical triple-segment knee pads or low kick pads
o Isami brand inner chest protectors or vests
Please refer to the list of prohibited protective equipment.
Even if you are using approved gear, you may still be disqualified if any of the following issues are observed:
(a) Severe defects in urethane padding due to age or modifications (e.g., padding below regulation thickness)
(b) Tears in fabric or loosened rubber bands causing padding to shift significantly and expose key areas like knuckles
(c) Wearing a groin protector over the Dogi pants
(d) Wearing a chest protector (for female athletes) over a T-shirt.
• There are no restrictions for male/female use of shock-absorption chest pads in terms of inner/outer placement under the Dogi.
(e) Improper use of red marks (red belt, red marks on headgear — back, left, and right sides)
• The red belt must be tied securely around the waist to avoid loosening during the match.
(f) Carrying metallic objects like mobile phones, rings, or necklaces during the match
Note 1: Minor peeling of the resin coating on headgear mesh due to wear is not grounds for disqualification.
However, if large areas of steel are exposed or if the hardened coating breaks off and poses a risk of injury, it will be disallowed.
Note 2: If protective gear falls off or pants slip off during the match, it will not immediately result in disqualification unless it causes significant disruption to the match.
Note 3: If gear issues are pointed out after entering the match area and they can be corrected immediately, disqualification will not apply.

9. Other Notices

① Competing in this tournament with a numbered bib, you are considered to have agreed to all the terms and conditions outlined in this document.
② No lunch will be provided for athletes on either day of the tournament.
③ In the event of a natural disaster such as an earthquake, the tournament may be temporarily suspended. In such cases, please follow staff instructions promptly.
④ Organizers reserve the right to make changes to the tournament without prior notice if deemed necessary.
⑤ Any issues not covered in these Participant Guidelines will be resolved through separate discussions as needed.

The 2nd International Championship : Guidelines for Protectors, Tapings, and Attire
http://fullcontact-karate.jp/2025/01/29/2ndinternationalyoukouen/

The 1st International Senior Championship: Guidelines for Protectors, Tapings, and Attire
http://fullcontact-karate.jp/2025/01/29/1stinternationalsenioryoukouen/

The 2nd International Full Contact Karate Championship is supported by the Japan Sports Promotion Fund.
第2回国際フルコンタクト空手道選手権大会はスポーツ振興基金助成事業です。

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