Application of Sport Science in Kyokushin Karate

Karate is a popular combat sport practiced across 202 nations with 42038 clubs registered (SPORTDATA, 2022). Kyokushin karate originated from Okinawa where it was founded by Masutatsu Oyama in the 20th century. When reviewing the demands of kyokushin karate, it is important to define the two disciplines: kumite and kata. Kumite is a fight between two opponents, whereas kata is a sequence of movements performed by the karateka alone. As kyokushin karate is a full contact combat sport, the main criteria that kumite performance is judged on is the damage that the karateka has caused to their opponent. Therefore, kyokushin karate is often considered to be the hardest and the most aggressive style of karate. A kumite fight lasts up to 3 minutes. If the judges and referee cannot decide on a clear winner, an extension of 2 minutes can be granted 3 times. Like most martial art competitions, kumite contestants are divided into five weight categories, for both males and females. The European guidelines for these weight categories are as follows: lightweight (M = <65kg; F = <50kg), middleweight (M = <75kg; F = <55kg), light heavyweight (M = <85kg; F = <60kg), heavyweight (M = <95kg; F = <65kg), super heavyweight (M = ≥95kg; F = ≥65kg) and open weight. Within this article we review the demands of kyokushin
karate, recommend a battery of fitness tests and provide training recommendations for sport scientists and coaches working with kyokushin karatekas.