The hundred-man kumite might well be seen as the ultimate test of physical and mental perseverance in Martial Arts, or for that matter, many other sports today.
In essence, the exercise consists of 2-minute rounds of kumite with 100 opponents, preferably a different one for each round. Mas Oyama having set the foundation by doing 300 man Kumite that took 3 days.Mas Oyama found however, that not everyone had the spirit to do it, though the physical skill could “easily” be taught. The indomitable will, courage, and determination — the ” Spirit of Osu” in it’s extreme —just wasn’t to be found in everyone. Thus it became a voluntary exercise for those few who had the right stuff.
At first, the fights could be completed over two days if so desired by the person doing it, but after 1967Mas Oyama decided that they should all be fought on the same day. 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.
- To ensure that all fighters were conducted under Kyokushin rules
- That the rounds were 2 minutes each
- That the fighting was spirited
- That there were no undue or excessive breaks from fighting
- That the next fighter was ready and waiting and
- Have adequate opportunity for hydration.
The 100-man kumite was designed as a special test for advanced practitioners of the art.
In these extreme examples of multi-man kumite, the subject of the test fights 50 to 100 opponents (depending on the test) in rapid succession.
Reportedly, only 16 people have successfully completed the 100-man kumite and 20 the 50-man kumite.
