Men: in rounds 1, 2 and 3, a 2-minute main bout and a 2-minute extension. From round 4 to the final: a 3-minute main bout, a 2-minute extension, a 2-minute second extension, the decision by weight (the lighter competitor wins if the difference reaches 10 kg), then a 2-minute final extension.
Women: in rounds 1, 2 and 3, 2 minutes and a 2-minute extension. From the quarter-finals to the final: 2 minutes, a 2-minute extension, a 2-minute second extension, the decision by weight (8 kg difference), then a 2-minute final extension.
Sources for this answerWKO 2026 — appended table “Regulation time of kumite bouts”
Under the WKO 2026 rules: if fewer than three of the five referees support a decision, the bout is a draw and an extension is fought. If two extensions do not decide, the decision is made by weight (a difference of 10 kg or more for men, 8 kg for women, the lighter competitor wins). If weight does not decide either, a final extension is fought, and a decision must be made.
EKO 2019At the European Championships by weight category, no scale and no tameshiwari (except in the open category): eliminations, 3-minute main bout, 2-minute extension, 2-minute final extension; quarter-finals, semi-finals and final, 3 min, 2 min, 2-minute re-extension, 2-minute final extension (art. 6.1 to 6.10).
Karate Dream Festival 2026No decision by weight or tameshiwari: one extension, then a final extension where a decision must be made (pp. 1 and 2).
Sources for this answerWKO 2026 — section “Extensions” · EKO 2019 — art. 6.1–6.10, pp. 6–7 · KDF 2026 — pp. 1–2
§What are the EKO 2019 times for adults and youth?
Adults: a 3-minute main bout, 2-minute extensions (see the previous question). Cadets (15 to 17): 1 min 30, 1 min 30 extension, 1 min 30 final extension. Juniors (17 to 19): 2 minutes, 2 minutes, 2 minutes. U21 (18 to 21): 2 minutes, 2 minutes, 2 minutes. For other national or international championships, the organiser may insert a weigh-in after the first extension (3 kg difference, 5 kg for heavyweights).
Sources for this answerEKO 2019 — art. 6.2–6.10, pp. 6–7; art. 19.5, p. 20; art. 20.5, p. 23; art. 21.5, pp. 26–27
§What are the bout times at the Karate Dream Festival 2026?
All-Japan Championship (main bout / extension): young boys and girls 1 min / 1 min; elementary 1 min 30 / 1 min 30; junior high 1 min 30 / 1 min 30; high school 2 min / 2 min; student men 2 min / 2 min; U25 women 2 min / 2 min; senior men under 65 and senior women under 60, 1 min 30 / 1 min 30; senior men 65 to 71 and senior women 60 to 71, 1 min / 1 min.
Rookie tournament: young and elementary 1 min / 1 min; junior high and high school 1 min 30 / 1 min 30; seniors 1 min / 1 min. No decision by weight or tameshiwari; an extension if the main bout does not decide, where a decision must be made; times may change on the organiser's decision.
Karate Dream Festival 2018Same principles with slightly different categories (young 1 min, elementary and junior high 1 min 30, high school and university 2 min, seniors 1 min 30 or 1 min); no decision by weight or tameshiwari (Appendix 1).
Sources for this answerKDF 2026 — p. 1, “Time of one bout” · KDF 2018 — Appendix 1
Yes, on the main referee's signal: “time” stops the bout time temporarily, “zokko” restarts it. In the event of an accident, the main referee may interrupt the bout.
EKO 2019Time runs from “hajime”; the clock stops only on the referee's command (“jikan”) or when time is up; a red beanbag thrown onto the area signals the end of the bout (art. 7.1 to 7.3).
Sources for this answerWKO 2026 — kumite rules, 6 and 7 · EKO 2019 — art. 7.1–7.3, p. 8 · KDF 2026 — p. 2, items 6 and 7
§What were the bout times at the 2015 World Championship?
Tournament-specific document. Men: rounds 1 and 2, 2 minutes then a 2-minute final extension; rounds 3 and 4, 2 minutes, 2-minute extension, decision by weight (10 kg), 2-minute final extension; from round 5 to the final, 3 minutes, 2-minute extension, 2-minute second extension, decision by weight (10 kg), decision by tameshiwari (the larger number of broken boards), 2-minute final extension. Women: rounds 1 and 2, 2 minutes then a 2-minute final extension; round 3, 2 minutes, 2-minute extension, weight (8 kg), 2-minute final extension; from the quarter-finals to the final, 2 minutes, 2 minutes, 2 minutes, weight (8 kg), 2-minute final extension.
Every answer cites its text. The rulebooks belong to their organisations; when in doubt, the official document prevails.
WKO2026RegulationWKO Competition Rules (全世界空手道連盟 試合規約), revised edition of 29 July 2026 — Japanese text, unofficial translationOfficial document Official page
EKO2019RegulationEKO — Kumite Competition Regulation and Rules (17 March 2019)Official document
WKO2026Tournament documentKarate Dream Festival 2026 International Championship — Kumite Competition Rules (WKO)Official document
WKO2018Tournament documentKarate Dream Festival 2018 — Time of Bout and Protectors (Appendices 1 and 2, WKO)Official document
