AGE35–39WEIGHT-60kg, -67kg, -75kg, -84kg, +84kg (M) / -50kg, -55kg, -61kg, -68kg, +68kg (F)MODSContinuous contact still permitted; head contact allowed with control
Closest to open adult rules. Full fitness expected.
AGE40–44WEIGHTAs Masters 1 aboveMODSHead contact permitted but fouls penalised more strictly; extended medical timeout allowed
Slight reduction in pace expectation. Recovery time between matches extended.
AGE45–49WEIGHT-65kg, -75kg, -85kg, +85kg (M) / -55kg, -65kg, +65kg (F)MODSNo jodan (head) attacks permitted; trunk only scoring zone
Significant modification for athlete safety. Most major competitions use this from Masters 3.
AGE50–54WEIGHT-70kg, -80kg, +80kg (M) / -60kg, +60kg (F)MODSTrunk only, semi-contact. No sweeps below knee. Match duration reduced to 2 minutes.
Point-stop competition recommended at this level and above.
AGE55–59WEIGHT-75kg, +75kg (M) / Open (F)MODSSemi-contact, no jodan, no sweeps, 2-minute matches, referee stop-and-restart format
Point-stop mandatory. Medical certificate required to compete.
AGE60–64WEIGHTOpen (no weight division)MODSLight contact only; trunk and head with strict control; match duration 90 seconds
Referee discretion elevated. Protective equipment mandatory.
AGE65+WEIGHTOpenMODSControlled sparring format; no head contact; referee may stop for any safety concern
Participation is prioritised over competition. Medals awarded for participation as well as placement.
Masters 1–3 — Kata Individual
KataAGE35–49WEIGHTN/AMODSSame kata list as senior adult. Same judging criteria.
No modifications. Veteran kata practitioners often outperform juniors in depth and expression.
Masters 4–6 — Kata Individual
KataAGE50–64WEIGHTN/AMODSSame kata list. Judges instructed to weight technical expression over athleticism where age-appropriate.
Age-appropriate modifications in scoring notes only. No kata excluded.
AGE65+WEIGHTN/AMODSKata list narrowed to style-appropriate selection. Judging criteria explicitly adjusted for physical range of motion.
Kata competition at 65+ is about preservation of art form as much as competition.
Masters Kata — Pair and Team
KataAGE35+WEIGHTN/AMODSNo age modification to kata requirements. Team members must be within the same masters category.
Pair and team kata are popular at veteran level — shared technique and timing.
Masters Open — Non-Competitive
BothAGE35+WEIGHTN/AMODSExhibition format; no judging or ranking; open to all styles
For practitioners who want to participate in community events without competition pressure.