100 Man Kumite - Grueling Kyokushin Karate Challenge

Kyokushin is famous for the 100 Man Kumite (or Hyakunin Kumite). This grueling Karate sparring match consists of one man or woman fighting 100 rounds of kumite against 100 similar or higher level opponents (although some opponents may go multiple times if the match does not have significant numbers of participants). The participant will fight each of the 100 opponents separately and one after another. Each kumite round lasts for roughly one and a half minutes.

According to Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, "In addition to the basic requirement of 100 fights, other requirements are that the competitor must clearly win at least 50% of the fights, and if knocked down, should not stay down for longer than 5 seconds". Moreover, Kyokushin kumite participants do not wear headgear or chest protectors as they are only required to wear a mouth guard and groin protection.

The first person to pass the 100 man kumite test was Masutatsu Oyama, who founded Kyokushin Karate in the 1950s. Masutatsu Oyama completed the 100-man kumite three times over three consecutive days. The second person to pass the 100 man kumite was Steve Arneil in 1965.

In 2004, Naomi Ali became the first woman to pass the 100 man kumite.

Reference Sources

1. Sosai Masutatsu Oyama, 100 Man Kumite - The ultimate test of physical and mental perseverance, http://www.masutatsuoyama.com/en/home/100mankumite.htm, Added - 05/18/15
2. Australian Kyokushin, 100 Man Kumite, http://www.australiankyokushin.com/kumite.shtml, Added - 06/16/16