The World Police and Fire Games Comes to Perth

In March 2027, Perth will host the World Police & Fire Games — bringing together thousands of active, volunteer and retired law enforcement and emergency services personnel from around the globe for ten days of competition across more than 60 sports. It's a rare chance for the people who spend their careers looking after the rest of us to step onto the mat, track, field or pool themselves and compete for a world medal, alongside colleagues who understand exactly what that day-to-day work demands.

At MASA, we're not experts in every one of those 60-odd sports. But martial arts is our world, and karate is one of the standout combat disciplines on the WPFG program this time round. So if you're one of the officers or firefighters gearing up to compete in Perth, here's what you need to know — and where we come in.

Kata: Precision Starts With Compliant Gear

Kata is open to Men's and Women's Individual and Team events from 3rd Kyu upward, across age categories from 18+ through to 55+. Before you even step on the mat, your gi has to tick every box:

• A white, WKF-approved karate-gi, free of stripes, piping, or personal embroidery beyond what's specifically permitted under WKF rules (red/blue shoulder embroidery is allowed, though not compulsory)
• WKF-approved red and blue belts

The current WKF Kata Competition Rules go further on the specifics than most competitors realise. Under the official attire requirements, the jacket must reach at least hip length once tightened with the belt, but no longer than three-quarters of the way down the thigh, and sleeves need to sit between halfway down the forearm and the bend of the wrist — no rolling them up. Trousers have to cover at least two-thirds of the shin without dropping below the ankle bone. The belt itself must be around five centimetres wide, long enough to leave fifteen centimetres free on each side of the knot, but no longer than three-quarters thigh length.

None of that is negotiable, and it's not just about looking sharp — a belt coming loose during your performance is a foul, and a belt falling off is an automatic disqualification. Same goes for jackets without proper ties, which can't be used at all. Judges are also watching for things like hair slides, metal hairgrips, or a hachimaki, none of which are allowed, and glasses are forbidden outright (prescription sports glasses or soft contacts are the only options if you need corrective vision).

We stock WKF-approved gis and belt sets cut to the correct proportions, so you're not caught out on jacket length, sleeve length, or belt sizing on the day. It's a small thing that ends careers-worth of preparation if it's wrong.

Kumite: Building a Full Protective Kit

Kumite categories run the same age and belt eligibility as Kata, but the equipment list is longer since this is full-contact sparring. On top of the compliant gi and belts, competitors need:

• WKF-approved red and blue gloves/mitts
• A mouth guard / gum shield
• A WKF-approved body protector (male or female fit)
• WKF-approved red and blue shin and foot protectors
• WKF-approved groin guards for male competitors

That's six separate pieces of kit that all need to meet spec — and we've kitted out plenty of competitors who've come in the week before an event with half a bag of gear and left with everything sorted in one visit.

It's also worth knowing that competitors are required to have a second, spare gi on hand at competition — not just a good idea, but part of the WKF regulations. Kumite is full contact, and blood happens: a split lip, a nosebleed, a graze that lands on your jacket. Officials give competitors only a short window to correct irregular attire before it becomes a problem for the bout, so a bloodied or damaged gi needs to be swapped out fast. Having a second WKF-approved gi ready in your bag means that's a non-issue.

Your protective gear needs to be in good order, too. Before every bout, officials check that competitors' equipment and karategi comply with the rules — and pads with compressed padding, split seams, or worn-out Velcro don't hold up well under that scrutiny. Gloves, shin pads, foot protectors and body protectors all take a beating over a training cycle, so give your kit a proper once-over well before you travel, not the morning of your first bout.

Weigh-Ins and Timing — Plan Ahead

A few operational details worth building into your prep:

• Weigh-ins can't happen more than 24 hours before your event, and there's a mandatory weigh-in the day before competition — miss it and you're disqualified, no exceptions.
• Karate is scheduled across a minimum of two competition days, so pace your gear checks (and your body weight) accordingly.

Appearance on the Mat is Everything

Here's something you won't find written into the WKF rulebook, but every experienced competitor and coach knows it to be true: appearance on the mat matters. An old, faded, yellowing kata gi can and will affect how a judge scores your performance, even if your technique is spot on. Kata is judged as much on presentation as it is on execution, and a crisp, bright white gi simply reads better than one that's gone grey from a hundred washes. It's an unwritten rule, but a well-known fact among anyone who's spent time on the competition circuit.

The same goes for Kumite. WKF referees are checking your gi for compliance before every bout, and while a tatty, worn-out gi might technically still meet the letter of the rules, it doesn't do you any favours when first impressions count. If you're stepping onto the mat at WPFG 2027 representing your country, your service, and years of training, you want to look every bit as sharp as you compete.

If your gi has seen better days, now's the time to sort out a fresh one — before Perth, not the week of.

Don't Guess on the Fine Print

We've pulled out the details that matter most to your gear bag, but there's plenty more in the official rulebooks — the full Kata list, scoring bands from 5.0 to 10.0, the criteria judges score against (stances, timing, focus, strength, speed and balance among them), and the complete list of fouls and disqualification grounds. Competitors should read the current World Karate Federation Kata Competition Rules and Kumite Competition Rules in full before Perth — international rules apply throughout WPFG unless the WPFG Karate Guidelines specify otherwise, so they're the definitive word on what will and won't fly on the mat.

Kitted Out and Ready

We've been helping karate competitors get ready for major events for years — Kata gis, Kumite protective sets, or a full head-to-toe kit, we've seen just about every last-minute gear panic there is, and we're always happy to help sort it out. Browse our full range of WKF-approved products, come in and see us, get fitted properly, and walk out ready for Perth 2027.

Got questions about what you need for your division? Drop into the shop or get in touch — we're always happy to talk gear.