Baghdad – Media Office
In a move reflecting a steadfast commitment to institutionalizing sports and elevating martial arts in Iraq to international standards, the Presidency of the Oyama Karate Organization has officially issued the Administrative Order to commence comprehensive preparations for the "2nd Iraq Full Contact Karate Championship."
This edition represents a qualitative turning point in the history of local competition, serving not merely as a sporting event, but as an official "gateway" to global platforms. Under the directives of the Head of the Organization, Shihan Ayad Mohammed Hassan Al-Khafaji, the championship will adopt the technical standards and international regulations approved by the World Full Contact Karate Organization (WFKO). Consequently, the results will be officially recognized for qualification rankings in Middle East, Asian, and World championships.
In alignment with the "Open House" principle for all combat talents, the Organization welcomes participation from all martial arts practitioners across Iraq, transcending organizational affiliations. The arena shall remain the sole arbiter of technical merit and fighting spirit.
General Regulations: The 2nd Iraq Full Contact Karate Championship
Approved by the Supreme Technical Committee – Oyama Karate Organization
1 - The Supreme Technical Committee overseeing the championship has established the following regulations to manage the event:
2 - Eligibility: Participation is open exclusively to the Seniors category to ensure the highest levels of performance and competitiveness.
3 - Application Format: Athletes may submit participation requests individually or as a collective (Team Representation).
3 - Team Quotas: In cases of team participation, a maximum of two fighters per weight category is permitted, along with a maximum of one referee per participating team.
4 - Official and Institutional Representation: Officially registered clubs, committees, forums, governmental and non-governmental institutions, and organizations will receive formal invitations. These entities must provide the organizing committee with participant lists addressed explicitly to the "Oyama Karate Organization" in response to the invitation.
5 - Unregistered Entities: Sporting groups (academies, gyms, dojos, organizations, or branches) that are not officially registered will receive verbal invitations to participate; no formal correspondence or written invitations will be issued for these entities.
6 - Transparency and Fairness: The organizing committee is committed to treating all participants (members and non-members) with total equality, adhering to the highest standards of transparency and integrity mandated by the WFKO.
7 - Mandatory Equipment: All athletes (individual or team) must provide their own safety gear. Groin guards and mouthguards are mandatory.
8 - Appeals and Officiating: The Organization provides a technical system for reviewing officiating decisions via "Documented Video Review (VARS)"; this process is initiated upon payment of the designated appeal fee. The Technical Committee's decisions following review are final and binding.
9 - Official Uniform (The Gi): Full compliance with the "Official Karate Gi" is required for all competitions, regardless of any logos or marks present on the uniform.
10 - Official Referee Uniform: The officiating staff must wear the approved competition uniform: a blue shirt and black trousers, to ensure a unified professional appearance.
11 - Discipline and Timings: The Organization bears no legal or technical responsibility and guarantees no rights for those who fail to attend or arrive late for scheduled bouts for any reason; the right to participate will be automatically forfeited.
12 - Sportsmanship and Protests: Excessive or uncivilized protests against officiating decisions will be treated as an attempt to incite disturbance. The Technical Committee holds full authority to immediately disqualify the individual involved to maintain the integrity of the championship.
13 - Weight Control: Each participant is responsible for maintaining their officially registered weight. A tolerance margin of only (±1 kg) from the recorded weight is allowed. Exceeding this margin will result in a loss by technical decision.
14 - Anti-Doping Procedures: First and second-place winners will undergo mandatory doping tests. Final results and rankings will not be certified or documented until samples are verified and test results are released.
15 - Approved Weight Categories: Competitions will be held in the following categories: -60 kg, -70 kg, -80 kg, -90 kg, and +90 kg.
16 - Legal and Technical Reference: All technical laws and regulations for "Full Contact Karate" applied by the World Full Contact Karate Organization (WFKO) are adopted as the sole reference for managing bouts.
17 - International Pathway: First and second-place winners in each weight category will be granted the opportunity to represent Iraq in the Middle East, Asia, and WFKO World Full Contact Karate Championships, alongside accredited Shinkyokushinkai players.
18 - Registration and Documentation: Applications via the electronic platform are considered preliminary for organizational purposes. Final paper documentation must be completed and audited by the specialized committee before the start of competitions. To facilitate all participants, manual paper applications will be accepted for those facing technical difficulties with the electronic system.
19 - Deadline: June 15, 2026, is the final deadline for receiving participation requests. No applications will be accepted after this date to ensure the timely completion of the draw and technical preparations.
With this set of rigorous regulations and professional standards, the Oyama Karate Organization establishes new rules for sports organization in Iraq, where administrative transparency meets physical prowess under the umbrella of international sports law.
The Supreme Technical Committee, as it finalizes the competition brackets, renews its invitation to all champions, clubs, and sporting institutions to seize this golden opportunity—not only to compete for local titles but to represent Iraq in major international arenas alongside the world's elite "Shinkyokushinkai" fighters.
The final deadline (June 15, 2026) is the boundary between preparation and achievement. We await you in the arena, where glory is forged and names are written in gold in the record of Full Contact champions.
Oyama Karate Organization – Central Organizing Committee
Osu!
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Administrative Order: Oyama Karate OrganizationTo: All Departments and Divisions of the Organization
Subject: Organizing the 2nd Full Contact Karate Championship
The Oyama Karate Organization extends its warmest greetings.
Based on the powers vested in us according to the Bylaws of the Oyama Karate Organization, Article Three (Organization Objectives) and Article Four (Means of Achieving Objectives), Paragraph Four, which stipulates "the organization of sports championships and festivals," it has been decided as follows:
First: To commence preparations for organizing the second Full Contact Karate Championship, titled "The 2nd Iraq Full Contact Karate Championship." The event shall be organized in accordance with the standards and regulations approved by the World Full Contact Karate Organization (WFKO), qualifying for Middle East, Asian, and World championships.
Second: To establish this event as a biennial occurrence (every two years) to align with the schedules of the relevant qualifying international championships.
Third: To adopt an electronic registration mechanism for participants not affiliated with the Oyama Karate Organization. This is to ensure that all martial arts practitioners have the opportunity to compete according to the aforementioned international standards.
Fourth: To prepare the technical regulations and rules for the championship and publish them via official social media platforms, with an emphasis on simplifying administrative procedures to facilitate the registration and participation of athletes from outside the organization.
This order is effective from the date of its issuance.
With appreciation,
Ayad Mohammed Hassan Al-Khafaji
Head of the Oyama Karate Organization