Karate

Competitive karate is divided into two disciplines: kumite, or sparring, and kata, the performance of a set sequence of techniques. In kumite, two athletes face off on a tatami measuring eight metres on each side and score points by landing controlled strikes on valid target areas: one yuko for a punch, two waza-ari for a kick to the body, and three ippon for a kick to the head or for a throw followed by a technique. Its roots lie in Okinawa, where local martial arts merged with Chinese boxing; its introduction to mainland Japan is attributed to Gichin Funakoshi in the 1920s, with the emergence of modern styles. The World Karate Federation was founded in 1970, and the first World Championships were held in Tokyo that same year; karate has made only one Olympic appearance, at Tokyo 2020. At international level, kumite rewards timing over power: strikes must be controlled, delivered from the correct distance and without excessive contact, otherwise penalties will be incurred. Matches last three minutes and are won by a margin of eight points, by final score or by the opponent’s disqualification. At the 20th Mediterranean Games in Taranto in 2026, karate will take place on 1 and 2 September at the PalaWojtyla, with 10 titles up for grabs, all in kumite: five men’s categories (-60, -67, -75, -84, +84 kg) and five women’s categories (-50, -55, -61, -68, +68 kg).

• 1Kumite: three-minute bouts on an 8×8-metre tatami, with techniques carried out under control
• 2Points: 1 (yuko) for punches, 2 (waza-ari) for kicks to the body, 3 (ippon) for kicks to the head and throws
• 3Victory is achieved by a margin of eight points, by score at the end of the bout, or by the opponent’s penalty
• 4Excessive contact and unsporting behaviour are penalised, up to and including disqualification
• 5In Taranto, 10 kumite titles were awarded: five for men and five for women