Kyokushin World Tournament Open
World Open Karate Championship is the largest competition in Kyokushin Karate. This tournament is arranged every fourth year in Tokyo.
Rules
All world open tournaments operate under knockdown karate rules which involve standup bareknuckle fighting with basically no protection. The more characteristical rules in knockdown karate compared to other styles are that you are not allowed to punch in the face and a point system that only counts hits that actually "hurt" the opponent. This makes knockdown fighting very physical but at the same time quite safe considering that there are very few hits to the head. There can be slight variances in the rules between the different organizations responsible for a tournaments although the basics are the same. The rules have also been modified over the years.Normally knockdown rules include:
- No protectors or guards are used, with the exception of groin guards and protection of the teeth.
- 3 minutes match time
- The fighter that achieves an Ippon will win the match and the fight is stopped. An Ippon is achieved when an attack either knocks down the opponent for more than 3 seconds or renders the opponent reluctant to continue the fight. An ippon can also be granted if an illegal technique is used or the other fighter is disqualified.
- A fighter can also win the fight by Waza-ari which is awarded if the opponent is knocked down for less than 3 seconds and is able to continue the fight. If two Waza-aris are achieved during the fight by the same fighter it is counted as an Ippon and the fight is stopped.
- If no knockdowns occur, the judges can declare one fighter as the winner by overall efficiency of techniques, force and spirit.
- In case of a draw there can be a maximum of 3 extensions. Some tournaments will also settle draws by weight difference and the result of Tamaeshiwari
Illegal techniques are
- Punches to the face
- Kicks to the groin
- Grappling, grabbing of any form
- Headbutts
- Kick to knee
- Kick to rear of head
- Pushing
- Strike to spine from rear
- Elbow to face
Results
Before split of IKO
Between 1975 and 1991, the World Open Tournament was organized by IKO, led by Mas Oyama. The event was held five times:- 1st World Open Tournament with 128 competitors from 32 countries
- 2nd World Open Tournament with 187 competitors from 62 countries
- 3rd World Open Tournament with 192 competitors from 60 countries
- 4th World Open Tournament with 207 competitors from 77 countries
- 5th World Open Tournament with 250 competitors from 105 countries
| Place | 1st World Open | 2nd World Open | 3rd World Open | 4th World Open | 5th World Open | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Katsuaki Satō  JapanIKO1 (Matsui branch)From 1995, the World Open Tournament has been organized by IKO1 led by Shokei Matsui.
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SWI