EKO NEWSLETTER [2026.03.06]
GENERAL INFORMATION
• March 13-15, EKO Black Belt Seminar, Stara Wie Poland
• May 7-10, European Championship Adult + J18 (inc. Kata Men and Women WC-2027 1st
selection), Batumi Georgia
• October 2-4, European Championship J16 + U21 + Open (inc. Kata Men and Women WC-2027 2nd
selection and Women Open WC-2027 1st selection), Latvia
• December 5, Kokoro Cup (inc. Women Open WC-2027 2nd selection), Poland
News from the Referee Committee
NEW! KUMITE RULES UPDATED 2026.02.28
The rules for kumite have been updated. See the latest rule on EKO Homepage or Ekoreferees.eu.
2.10 … _approved by Referee Committee.
16.7 … by Kansui.
16.7 … break all the boards…
9.10 No attacks to the spine.
9.11 No attacks to the head or body standing from behind.
16.2 … before the 1/4 Finals (8 best fighters) in European Championship, Open weight category championship.
19.9 any attack to the face or back of the head;
20.9 any attack to the face or back of the head;
COACH TEST AND PARTICIPATION FEE
All coaches must have a valid coach test. For this year a valid test must have been registered 2024, 2025
or 2026. To do the test please use this link. It can be done repeatedly until all answers are correct. Please study the competition rules and antidoping rules to be found on EKO Homepage. https://www.european-
kyokushin.org/download/
Link to the Coach test: https://forms.gle/iL9zBJa2oN9h8zC3A
ATT; The Coach participation fee of 40€ must be paid before the championship through your Country
Representative. Coach meeting on Friday 6 May at 18:30 and the Draw at 19:00 in Grand Bellagio Hotel.
NEW! EKO REFEREE LICENSE DIPLOMA
It is now possible for all referee to print the latest referee license diploma from www.ekoreferees.eu. Just
log in to your account.
RANKING
Competitors ranking for the coming draw to European Championship in Batumi, Georgia will be
announced about two weeks before the competition. It will be sent by mail to Country Representatives in
firsthand, eventually on Kumite Technology. Coaches and competitors who see some errors can apply for
changes according to information given together with the ranking. The draw will be done on Friday 6 May
at 19:00 in Grand Bellagio Hotel.
REFEREES FOR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP IN BATUMI, GEORGIA
All referee of categories EKO-C, B and A in both Kumite and Kata are welcome. New referees are also
welcome and must have its own countries highest national license and a recommendation from its
Country Representative. The championship is held in two day and on 3 tatamis.
The Referee Course is compulsory for referees who apply for new or refresh license. Participants shall
bring all documents (from EKO Homepage), be in referee uniform and with whistle.
The course ends with a written test. For that you need a smart phone or a computer for internet
connection, WiFi is provided. 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:
1. Apply at: www.ekoreferees.eu
2. Registrate at: https://app.kumitetechnology.com/en/tournament/268/
After registration you will get an e-mail 2 weeks prior the EC to make a check-in confirmation of participation.
New licenses are 50€ and refresh license is 25€. This can be paid by card or cash at the registration before
the course and the briefing.
Schedule
All meetings in the Official Hotel: Grand Bellagio Hotel & Casino Batumi
7 May Thursday.
13:30-14:00 Registration 16:00-18:00 Referee briefing (compulsory in referee uniform)
8 May Friday
14:00-20:00 Referee Course 18:30-19:00 Coach meeting, 19:00-19:30 Draw
REFEREE BRIEFING IN BATUMI, GEORGIA
Before the European Championship in Batumi, EKO invites to all referees to a competition briefing on
Friday 8 May at 16:00-18:00.
EKO-REGION SELECTION FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2027
Selection for World Championship 2027, Women Open category and Men + Women Kata categories will be
held at three occasions 2026.
KATA
• May 9-10, European Championship Adult + J18 (inc. Kata Men and Women WC-2027 1st
selection), Batumi Georgia
• October 3-4, European Championship J16 + U21 + Open (inc. Kata Men and Women WC-2027
2nd selection and Women Open WC-2027 1st selection), Latvia
KUMITE
• October 3-4, European Championship J16 + U21 + Open (inc. Kata Men and Women WC-2027 2nd
selection and Women Open WC-2027 1st selection), Latvia
• December 5, Kokoro Cup (inc Women Open WC-2027 2nd selection), Poland
EKO REFEREE COMMITTEE
Michael Söderkvist
Chairman
