2026 European Karate Championship U21 and J16

Dear Presidents of National Organizations, Country Representatives, WKO Branch Chiefs, Club Leaders,

On behalf of European Karate Organization and Organizing Committee, we have the

honour to invite you to the:

EUROPEAN KARATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR JUNIORS J16, U21 AND ADULTS OPEN WEIGHT.

October 3– 4, 2026 Riga, Latvia

„BTA Daugavas maneza“, Augšiela 1, Rīga, LV-1009  

1. Weight categories and number of participants

a) European championship for U21

Born in 2006, 2007, 2008 (must be 18 years old on the day of the competition)

Kumite Men: (-65, 65-70, 70-75, 75-80, 80-85, 85-90, +90) kg

Kumite Women: (-50; 50-55, 55-60, 60-65; +65) kg

Kata Men and Women, Kata Teams:

Eliminations: Geksai Dai, Gekisai Sho, Yantsu, Tsuki no kata, Saiha

From quarterfinals: Seipai, Kanku, Seienchin, Sushiho, Garyu

b) European championship for Juniors J16 Born in 2010 or 2011

Kumite Boys: (-50, 50-55, 55-60, 60-65, 65-70, 70-75, +75) kg

Kumite Girls: (-50; 50-55, 55-60, 60-65; +65) kg

Kata Boys and Girls, Kata Teams:

Eliminations: Pinan 2, Pinan 3, Pinan 4, Pinan 5

From quarterfinals: Gekisai Dai, Yantsu, Tsuki no kata

c) European Championship for Adults Open Weight

Competitors must be at least 18 years old on the day of the competition

Kumite men and women.

In the Men Open Weight category, Tameshiwari will not be required.

d) Participation limits

 Maximum 2 participants per country in each Kumite and Kata category; maximum 2 Kata teams per country.

 The organizing country is entitled to one additional participant in each category and one additional Kata team.

 All medalists from previous European and World Championships are additionally eligible to participate in the Open Weight Kumite category.

 Adult European and World Championship medalists, as well as 1st–8th place winners in Open Weight categories, are not eligible to participate in Youth (U21) Championships.

e) Preliminary information: A selection tournament for the World Championship Kata categories (Men and Women) will be organized during the event. Detailed information will be announced later.

All rules can be found at: https://www.european-kyokushin.org 

2. Preliminary schedule:

01.10.2026 (Thursday) - arrival of participants, officials and country delegations

13:30 –Referee Course registration:

14:00 – 20:00 Referee Course and Examination.

All referee of categories EKO-C, EKO-B and EKO-A licenses in Kumite and Kata are welcome. New referees are also welcome and must have its countries highest national license and a recommendation from its Country Representative. The championship is held over two days on 3-4 tatamis. The Referee Course is compulsory for referees applying for a new or license renewal. Participation in referee uniform is mandatory. The course ends with a written test. For that you need a smart phone or a computer. The test is in English. All rules, regulations and license validity to study can be downloaded from https://www.european-kyokushin.org/ or https://ekoreferees.eu/  

Referee application for the Referee Course and EC participation must be done on www.ekoreferees.eu .

Registration of referees on https://kumitetechnology.com/en/tournament/354/ . This is for notification to the organizer.

New license is 50€ and a license renewal is 25€.

02.10.2026 (Friday) - arrival of participants, officials and country delegations

09:00 – 19:00 weight and medical control;

10:00 – 15:00 EKO Committees and Board meetings;

16:00 – 18:00 referee registration and meeting;

18:30 – 19:30 Coach registration and meeting;

All coaches must have a valid Coach Test from 2024 - 2026. The test is completed individually online. A link for this year’s test will be distributed in August to your Country Representative.

19:30 – Draws.

03.10.2026 (Saturday) - „BTA Daugavas maneza“

09:00 – 1st European Championship day

04.10.2026 (Sunday) - „BTA Daugavas maneza“

09:00 – 2nd European Championship day

05.10.2026 (Monday) - check-out and departure.

3. Financial conditions:

 Accommodation, flight tickets, transportation and meals for all participants shall be covered by

participating Country Organization, Club, or participant themselfs;

 EKO participation fee:

- 80 € per each participant;

- 40 € per each coach;

 All payments should be paid to EKO by bank transfer until September 14th.

IBAN: NL78RABO0103302778

BIC Code: RABONL2U

Bank: Rabobank Netherlands Stationsweg 5, 8911AG, Leeuwarden, Netherlands

In name of: European Karate Organization

4. Accommodation and Championship package:

INFORMATION WILL BE PREPARED SOON.

5. Airport transfers:

Airport transfers will be organized from Riga Airport (RIX) as needed.

6. Conditions for participating in the Championship for fighters:

At the registration and medical control, all participants must present:

 Medical certificate (in English), not older than 3 months;

 Declaration for participation in the tournament;

 Parent’s approval form for Juniors J16;

 EKO Health Information Form;

 Proof of age (ID card or Passport);

 EKO Passport;

 All required protectors and karate gi jacket for competitor number sewing.

The organizer will provide helmets and body protectors for Junior Kumite competition.

7. Registration and contact persons:

Registration for participants and officials available online on: https://kumitetechnology.com/en/tournament/354/ 

GSM: +371 29811404, email: latviankyokushin@gmail.com

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 4 SEPTEMBER 2026

Kind regards,

Mareks Lavriničs

Latvian Kyokushin Karate Federation President