Body Protectors

A body protector covers the chest and ribs for kumite (sparring), in club training and at events run under WKF rules. A women's chest guard is a separate item, worn with a body protector. Check how each is sized (by height, or by under-bust measurement for a chest guard) and how it fastens. Not every maker says whether its protector is worn under or over the gi.

Children's kit is different. Under WKF rules, athletes under 14 need a WKF Approved helmet and an external body protector (WKF Kumite Competition Rules 2026, Art. 2.2.7(g)). Girls under 14 also need a WKF Approved chest protector (Art. 2.2.7(h)). WKF's specification for the children's chest protector is white and worn outside the karategi (WKF Sport Items Homologation Process 2025-2028, 1(e)). The adidas Karate Chest Guard and the Blitz Intercept are not sold as that children's protector, even in their smaller sizes. Check what the event requires before you buy for an under-14.

Under WKF rules, men must wear a WKF Approved body protector, and women use a chest and body protector or an integrated chest and body protector (Art. 2.2.7(c)). All protective equipment must be WKF Approved (Art. 2.2.10). WKF's approval specification describes the body protector it approves as worn under the karategi. According to that specification, it protects the front and sides of the chest and the abdomen, to the European standard EN 13277-3 (Homologation Process).

adidas is on WKF's approved list for body protectors and for ladies' chest protectors, at brand level, so check for the WKF logo. Blitz is not on WKF's approved list for body protectors, so its Intercept is for club sparring. It is reversible red and blue in its Blue / Red colourway, and Blitz also sells it in White / Black.