Karate was an event held in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

The three weight classes in Olympic competition for kumite were in contrast to the five normally used by the World Karate Federation (WKF).

[10] Karate was being considered for the 2020 Olympics;[11] however, at a meeting of the IOC's executive board, held in Russia on 29 May 2013, it was decided that karate (along with wushu and several other sports) would not be considered for inclusion in 2020 at the IOC's 125th session in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in September 2013.

[12] In September 2015, karate was included in a shortlist with baseball, softball, skateboarding, surfing, and sport climbing to be considered for inclusion in the 2020 Summer Olympics,[13] and in June 2016, the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that they would support the proposal to include all of the shortlisted sports in the 2020 Games.

[18] The individual tournament for the Kumite competition at the World Karate Federation (WKF) Karate World Championships is held under a weight class system comprising five divisions each for both men and women.

[18][17] Points were earned as follows: Strikes below the belt were strictly forbidden and strength must always be controlled as the fighter would receive a warning if they hurt their opponent.

In the case of a draw, the competitors perform an additional choice of kata to be judged.

[17] There are 7 criteria of evaluation for technical points: stances, techniques, transitional movements, timing, correct breathing, focus and conformance.

The selection order is as follows: For each continent, all of the gold medalists at the continental games are considered together.

If none of the medalists can be entered, the highest-ranked eligible athlete from that continent in the rankings (regardless of finish at the continental games) qualifies.