CARPATHIA Karate Cup 2026

1. Organizer. Rzeszów Martial Arts Club SYSTEM, 35-111 Rzeszów, ul. Krakowska 20, 

Paweł Możdżeń - mobile: + 48 791 243 177, e-mail: p_mozdzen@interia.eu, 

Janusz Wiśniewski - e-mail: jwisniewski@karate.rzeszow.pl, www.carpathia.org.pl 

2. Date and Venue of the Tournament. January 24, 2026 - "PODPROMIE" Sports Hall, ul. Podpromie 10.

3. Tournament Schedule.

January 23, 2026 - DOJO RKSW SYSTEM, "NOWY ŚWIAT", ul. Krakowska 20.
Verification of KATA and KUMITE Competitors 12:00 - 21:00. 

January 24, 2026 - "PODPROMIE" Sports Hall, ul. Podpromie 10.
Verification of KATA Competitors 7:00 - 8:00.
Verification of KUMITE Competitors 7:00 - 11:00.
Judges Briefing 8:30 - 9:00.
KATA Competition 9:00 - 11:30.
Official Opening Ceremony 11:30 - 12:00.
KUMITE Competition 12:00 - 18:00.
Awards Ceremony 18:00 - 19:00.

 4. KATA Category. KATA Competition Rules: The kata competition will be divided by age for men and women. In categories U-16, U18 and ADULTS also in MIXED KATA TEAM. Competitors perform kata chosen from the table and are judged by flags. During eliminations, competitors perform the kata drawn by the judge. In the semifinals and finals, competitors choose the kata, but it cannot be repeated.

5. KUMITE Category. The tournament will be held in a knockout format. If there are three competitors in a fighting category, they will compete in a round-robin format. If there are fewer than three competitors, the category may be merged with another. On the day of verification competitors weight must comply with the weight category. No weight allowance. All competitors fight in their own protective gear. Competitors are required to appear for the fight within the regulation time of 1min in full protective gear.

5.1. Light Contact Category - U-8 and U-10 - girls and boys (minimum 2 years of training). All competitors fight wearing helmets with a grid and body protectors (hogo)! All competitors must have white, fitted soft "cotton" shin and foot guards and white hand guards. Boys additionally require a groin guard (suspensorium). The following techniques are allowed to the jodan area: Mawashi-geri, Uhi-mawashi-geri, and Kake-geri. Strikes to the jodan should be performed with controlled strength! Foot extensions beyond the body's axis and uncontrolled force kicks to the jodan area will be penalized! Leg techniques to the gedan area are not allowed!

5.2. Semi Contact Category - U12 and U14 - girls and boys (minimum 2 years of training). All competitors fight wearing helmets with a grid and body protectors (hogo)! All competitors must have white, fitted soft "cotton" shin and foot guards additionally require white hand guards. Girls and boys are required to wear a groin guard (suspensor) and knee guards are recommended for all competitors. Techniques allowed to the jodan area: Mawashi-geri, Uhi-mawashi-geri, and Kake geri. Strikes to the jodan should be performed with controlled strength! Uncontrolled force kicks to the jodan area are penalized! Leg techniques to the gedan area are allowed.

5.3. All Kick Category - U16 and U18 - girls and boys (minimum 2 years of training). All competitors fight wearing helmets with a grid! All competitors must have white, fitted soft "cotton" shin and foot guards. Competitors in categories U16 additionally require white hand guards. Girls must wear chest guards (cups). Girls and boys must wear a groin guard (suspensor) and knee guards. All techniques are allowed to the jodan area. Strikes to the jodan should be performed with controlled strength! Uncontrolled force kicks to the jodan area are penalized! Leg techniques to the gedan area are allowed.

5.4. Full Contact Category for Senior and U-21, women and men (minimum 4 years of training). Women and men must have a groin guard (suspensorium). Women also need chest protectors (cups) and white, fitted soft "cotton" shin and foot guards.

5.5. Full Contact Masters Category (minimum 2 years of training). All competitors fight wearing helmets. Additionally, all competitors must have white, fitted soft "cotton" shin and foot guards in white. Women and men must have a groin guard (suspensorium). Techniques allowed to the jodan area: Mawashi-geri, Uhi-mawashi-geri, and Kake geri.

6. General Participation Conditions: Only club entries will be accepted for the tournament. Organizations or federations cannot submit collective groups. Club teams consisting of any number of competitors in each weight category from all Karate Organizations may participate in the tournament. Exact weight must be specified in submissions! Competitor submissions must be made NO LATER than January 19, 2026 (Monday) by midnight on https://app.kumitetechnology.com/en/tournament/97/ 

Participants pay an entry fee of:
· 35,00 EURO for participation in one category: KATA, KATA TEAM or KUMITE,
· 50,00 EURO for participation in two categories: KATA and KUMITE, KATA and KATA TEAM, KATA TEAM and KUMITE,
· 60,00 EURO for participation in three categories: KATA, KATA TEAM and KUMITE.

All teams participating in the tournament must appoint at least one judge!

Competitors who do not have current medical examinations during verification will be removed from the starting list!!! Competitors and judges will receive lunch and refreshments during the tournament. Judges will receive material prizes for their work after the tournament ends. Competitors winning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in all age categories will receive medals and diplomas. There will be no fight for 3rd place.

 Competitors must have:
·current medical examinations,
·clean white karate-gi,
·minors must have written consent from both parents or legal guardians to participate in the tournament per the attached pattern. Lack of such consent results in automatic exclusion from the tournament. ·current school ID or other photo identification confirming competitor's age (exact date of birth). Judges will be appointed on the day of the competition. The competition will be held on 6 or 8 mats. Matters not covered by the rules will be decided by the Organizer and the Chief Judge. Responsibility for competitors' behavior and damages caused by them rests on parents or guardians.