1. Contestants and their coaches must wear the official attire as herein defined.

2. The official uniform will be as follows:
A single-breasted navy-blue blazer.
A white shirt with short sleeves.
An official tie, worn without tiepin.
A discreet white cord for the whistle.
Plain light-grey trousers without turn-ups. (Appendix 9).
Plain dark blue or black socks and black slip-on shoes for use on the match area.
Female Referees and Judges may wear a hairclip and religiously mandated headwear that is WKF
approved and discreet earrings
Referees and judges may wear a plain wedding band.

3. For Olympic Games, Youth Olympic Games, Continental Games and other multisport events
where a cross-sport uniform is provided for Referees at the cost of the LOC with the feel & look
of the specific event, the official uniform for Referees might be substituted by that common
uniform, provided that it is requested in writing to the WKF by the event organiser and formally
approved by the WKF.

1. Contestants must wear a white karate gi without stripes, piping or personal embroidery other than specifically allowed by the WKF EC. The national emblem or flag of the country will be worn on the left breast of the jacket and may not exceed an overall size of 12cm by 8cm (see Appendix 7). Only the original manufacturer’s labels may be displayed on the gi. In addition, identification issued by the Organising Committee will be worn on the back. One contestant must wear a red
belt and the other a blue belt. The red and blue belts must be around five centimetres wide and of a length sufficient to allow fifteen centimetres free on each side of the knot but not longer than three-quarters thigh length. The belts are to be of plain red and blue colour, without any personal embroideries or advertising or markings other than the customary label from the manufacturer.

2. Notwithstanding paragraph 1 above, the Executive Committee may authorise the display of special labels or trademarks of approved sponsors.

3. The jacket, when tightened around the waist with the belt, must be of a minimum length that covers the hips, but must not be more than three-quarters thigh length. Female competitors may wear a plain white T-shirt beneath the Karate jacket. Jacket ties must be tied. Jackets without ties may not be used.

4. The maximum length of the jacket sleeves must be no longer then the bend of the wrist and no shorter than halfway down the forearm. Jacket sleeves may not be rolled up. The jacket ties holding the jacket in place must be tied at the beginning of the match. If they are torn off during the match, the contestant is not required to change the jacket.

5. The trousers must be long enough to cover at least two thirds of the shin and must not reach below the anklebone. Trouser legs may not be rolled up.

6. Contestants must keep their hair clean and cut to a length that does not obstruct smooth bout conduct. Hachimaki (headband) will not be allowed. Should the Referee consider any contestant's hair too long and/or unclean, he/she may disbar the contestant from the bout. Hair slides are prohibited, as are metal hairgrips. Ribbons, beads and other decorations are prohibited. One or two discreet rubber bands on a single pony tail is permitted.

7. Female competitors may use WKF Approved religiously mandated head-wear: A black plain fabric head scarf covering the hair, but not the throat area.

8. Contestants must have short fingernails and must not wear metallic or other objects, which might injure their opponents. The use of metallic teeth braces must be approved by the Referee and the Tournament Doctor. The contestant accepts full responsibility for any injury.

9. The following protective equipment is compulsory:
9.1. WKF approved mitts, one contestant wearing red and the other wearing blue.
9.2. Gum shield.
9.3. WKF approved body protection (for all athletes) plus chest protector for female athletes.
9.4. WKF approved shin pads, one contestant wearing red and the other wearing blue.
9.5. WKF approved foot protection, one contestant wearing red and the other wearing blue.
Groin Guards are not mandatory but if worn must be WKF approved.

10. Glasses are forbidden. Soft contact lenses can be worn at the contestant's own risk.

11. The wearing of unauthorised apparel, clothing or equipment is forbidden.

12. All protective equipment must be WKF homologated.

13. It is the duty of the Match Supervisor) to ensure before each match or bout that the competitors are wearing the approved equipment. (In the case of Continental Federation, International, or National Federation Championships it should be noted that WKF approved equipment, must be accepted and cannot be refused).

14. The use of bandages, padding, or supports because of injury must be approved by the Referee on the advice of the Tournament Doctor.

1. Coaches shall at all times during the tournament, wear the official tracksuit of their National Federation and display their official identification with the exception of bouts for medals of official WKF events, where male coaches are required to wear a dark suit, shirt and tie- while female coaches may choose to wear a dress, pantsuit or a combination of jacket and skirt in dark colours. Female coaches may wear WKF Approved religiously mandated headwear for referees and judges.

I. The contestant must wear a single belt. This will be red for AKA and blue for AO. Belts of grade should not be worn during the bout.

II. Gum shields must fit properly.

III. If a contestant comes into the area inappropriately dressed, he/she will not be immediately disqualified; but will instead be given one minute to remedy matters.

IV. If the Referee Commission agrees, Refereeing Officials may be allowed to remove their blazers.