100-man kumite
An extreme endurance test of 100 rounds of Kyokushin kumite.
The 100-man kumite (Japanese: hyakunin kumite) is an extreme test of physical and mental endurance in Kyokushin karate. It consists of 100 rounds of kumite, each between one-and-a-half and two minutes in length, against similarly or higher-ranked opponents who are fresh and not fatigued. The challenge was devised by Masutatsu Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin, who completed it three times over three consecutive days.
Quick Facts
- First to complete
- Masutatsu Oyama
- Second to complete
- Steve Arneil (1965)
- First woman to complete
- Naomi Ali (July 2004)
- Unsanctioned completion for charity
- Kelly Leo (United States, June 2014)
Facts from the source article.
Other
The 100-man kumite challenge has gained popularity among various martial art communities, with other fighting styles attempting their own equivalents under similar rules and conditions. Paddy Doyle holds a Guinness World Record for the fastest 100-man kumite, though not in Kyokushin karate. Kelly Leo completed a 100-man kumite for charity in 2014, but it was not officially recognized by the IKO and conditions were less strict. Mikio Ueda's 2021 attempt, officially sanctioned by IKO Kyokushin, stopped at 60 rounds due to injury.
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