Karate Karate or Karate-do is a Japanese martial art. The origins of karate can be found on Okinawa, where chinese martial arts influences originated what was later known as karate when it came to the Japanese main land in 1922. Karate emphasises striking techniques like punching and kicking over grappling. There are two main categories in the sport of karate: Kumite and Kata. In kumite two fighters are paired in a timed fight; scores are awaarded either by technique or location. Kata is a fight against imaginary enemies, expressed as a fixed sequence of moves; points are awarded by judges. The World Karate Federation was founded in 1992. The Japanese FAJKO organisation had already organised world championships since 1970. World Championships: Men: Kata Kata Teams Kumite: -60 kg -65 kg -70 kg -75 kg -80 kg +80 kg Open Teams Women: Kata Kata Teams Kumite: -53 kg -60 kg +60 kg Open Teams Defunct Categories: Men: Ippon Sanbon World Games: Men: Kata Kumite: -60 kg -65 kg -70 kg -75 kg -80 kg +80 kg Open Women: Kata Kumite: -53 kg -60 kg +60 kg Open European Championships: Men: Kata Kata Teams Kumite: -60 kg -67 kg -75 kg -84 kg +84 kg Teams Women: Kata Kata Teams Kumite: -50 kg -55 kg -61 kg -68 kg +68 kg Teams Defunct Categories: Men: Ippon Sanbon Kumite: -65 kg -70 kg -80 kg +80 kg Open Women: Kumite: -53 kg -60 kg +60 kg Open Asian Games: Men: Kata Kumite: -55 kg -60 kg -65 kg -70 kg -75 kg -80 kg +80 kg Women: Kata Kumite: -48 kg -53 kg -60 kg +60 kg Defunct Category: Men: +75 kg Pan American Games: Men: Kumite: -60 kg -65 kg -70 kg -75 kg -80 kg +80 kg Women: Kumite: -53 kg -60 kg +60 kg Defunct Categories: Men: Kata Kumite: -62 kg -66 kg -68 kg -72 kg -74 kg Open Teams Women: Kata Kumite: -58 kg +53 kg +58 kg Teams