On 18 October 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City Karatedo Federation (HKF) will organise training on the new competition rules, a referee classification examination and a competition coach card examination for its second 2026 course at Royal International Bilingual School – Royal School in Ho Chi Minh City. The programme will focus on updating participants on new regulations of the World Karate Federation (WKF), while further standardising and improving the quality of referees and coaches supporting the organisation, administration and participation in competitions.

The programme combines three technical components: training on the competition rules, the second 2026 referee classification examination and the competition coach card examination. It will provide HKF technical personnel with an opportunity to reinforce their knowledge and skills and meet professional requirements in Karatedo competition activities.

Updated WKF Karate Competition Rules

The new Karate Competition Rules, together with certain provisions revised by the WKF, officially entered into force on 1 January 2026. On this basis, HKF’s programme aims to disseminate the new regulations and harmonise their application at competitions across Ho Chi Minh City.

This coordinated update will not only support technical administration but also help referees, coaches and relevant individuals proactively adapt to new requirements when participating in competitions.

Theoretical and Practical Training and Assessment

The programme will be delivered across three technical groups: Kata, Kumite and Partner Drills (Đối luyện). Each group will have training and assessment requirements suited to its technical characteristics.

In Kata, participants will receive theoretical training, take a multiple-choice theory examination and complete a practical assessment through the scoring of video clips. For Kumite, the programme combines theoretical and practical training in the 2026 Kumite Rules; the practical assessment requires referees to directly officiate bouts.

For Partner Drills (Đối luyện), participants will receive training in scoring standards and the Kihon Ippon Kumite and Jiyu Ippon Kumite systems, followed by theoretical and practical assessments. The programme will also conduct renewal (renew) verification for referees required to undergo assessment under the regulations, while holding new or upgrading examinations at referee levels appropriate to each candidate’s professional qualifications and experience.

Experienced Instructor Team

The programme will be delivered by international referees and experienced specialists who have officiated at Asian-level tournaments, the SEA Games, Southeast Asian events and national championships. The instructor team includes:

• Dr. Vũ Văn Huế – Federation Vice President, Asian Referee and lecturer at Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports;
• Trịnh Ngọc Hoàng (Master’s degree) – Federation Vice President, Asian Referee and lecturer at Thủ Dầu Một University;
• Mr. Trình Dương Khánh Thành – Head of the Federation’s Referee and Technical Committee, Asian Referee;
• Võ Đoàn Ân (Master’s degree) – Head of the Federation’s Communications, Information, Science and Technology Committee, Asian Referee;
• Biện Thị Ngọc Anh (Master’s degree) – Deputy Chief of the Federation Office, Asian Referee and lecturer at Thủ Dầu Một University;
• Võ Hảo Trình (Master’s degree) – Deputy Head of High-Performance Development and member of the Federation’s Referee and Technical Committee, Asian Referee;
• Mr. Võ Quyền Anh – Member of the Federation’s Referee and Technical Committee, World Referee.

Schedule, Application Documents and Fees

The programme will take place on Sunday, 18 October 2026, at Royal International Bilingual School – Royal School, 8 Đặng Đại Độ Street, Tân Hưng Ward, Ho Chi Minh City (former District 7). The morning will begin at 7:30 a.m. with participant check-in procedures, followed by theoretical training in Kumite, Kata and Partner Drills (Đối luyện) from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., and the theory examination from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Practical training will run from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., followed by the practical examination from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. The programme is scheduled to conclude with certificate presentation at 5:30 p.m.

Application documents include a copy of the black-belt certificate, a 2026 membership card, the Federation’s Karatedo Passport and 04 photos measuring 3 × 4. Fees are VND 700,000 per person for the new competition rules training; VND 300,000 per person for the renewal theory assessment; VND 300,000 per person for the competition coach card examination; and VND 500,000 per person per discipline for the referee examination, or VND 1,000,000 per person when taking all three disciplines of Kumite, Kata and Partner Drills (Đối luyện).

HKF requests that members, referees, coaches and other relevant individuals proactively prepare all required documents, attire and necessary conditions. For further information, contact Ms. Phùng Thị Lệ Thủy – Chief of the Federation Office, telephone 0903 806 124, email thuykaratedo@gmail.com.