The first official Karate Lei Tai competition, the French federation's new format combining punches, kicks and throws with no ground fighting. Saturday 21 November at the Lucien-Martinel gymnasium in Fontainebleau, from under-14s to seniors.
Practical information
- Dates
- Saturday, November 21, 2026
- Venue
- Gymnase Lucien-Martinel, Fontainebleau, France
What's at stake
The French Karate Federation launches Karate Lei Tai, whose rules were approved by its board on 22 October 2026. The format allows punches, kicks, grips, sweeps and throws, but the bout restarts standing after every throw: there is no ground phase. Knockouts are permitted under the conditions set out in the rules. This French Cup is designed as a first live test, for competitors as well as for the clubs, coaches and referees who come to watch.
Schedule
Bouts are best of three rounds, with one minute of rest between rounds. Rounds last 1 minute 30 for under-14s and under-16s, and 2 minutes for juniors and seniors. The competition is open to under-14, under-16, junior and senior categories. Entries go through the ffkcompetition.fr platform. Weigh-in and start times are in the programme published on the federal calendar.
Getting there
The Lucien-Martinel gymnasium is in Fontainebleau, south-east of Paris, an hour by train from Gare de Lyon (Fontainebleau-Avon station). The same weekend, 21 and 22 November, the gym also hosts the French light sanda Cup. No broadcast has been announced.