Ippon

一本

Highest score achievable in Judo and Karate resulting in an immediate match victory.

Quick Facts

CategoryConcept / Principle

Pronunciation/[eep-pohn]/

Alternative NamesFull point, Instant win score

Definition

Ippon ('one full point') is martial arts' equivalent of a knockout. In Judo, referees award Ippon for throws executed with speed, power, and landing the opponent flat on their back, or via choke/armlock submission.

Related Terms

Shiai試合

Official competitive match governed by formal rules and referee scoring.

Submission / TapoutSubmission

Match-ending choke or joint lock forcing the opponent to signal defeat by tapping.

Waza-ari技あり

Second highest score in Judo and Karate (two Waza-ari combine to equal an Ippon victory).

Associated Martial Arts

Shotokan Kosen Judo Uechi-ryu Shorin-ryu Kito-ryu Meibukan Goju-ryu Shito-ryu Kawaishi Judo Shorinji-ryu Kenkokan Gensei-ryu Shorei-ryu Shorin-ryu Shidokan Shuri-te Naha-te Tomari-te Seiwakai Goju-ryu Jundokan Goju-ryu Matsubayashi-ryu Chito-ryu Karate Isshin-ryu Karate Satojuku Karate Byakuren Kaikan Motobu-ryu Karate Shorin-ryu Kyudokan Seidokaikan Karate Kyokushin Budokai Shorin-ryu Shorinkan Shorinji Ryu Renshinkan Takamura Shindo Yoshin-ryu Kyushin-ryu Jujutsu Asayama Ichiden-ryu Shinno Shinto-ryu Jujutsu Shindo Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu Sekiguchi-ryu Jujutsu Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu Jujutsu Shorin-ryu Seibukan Ashihara Karate Hontai Yoshin-ryu Jujutsu Enshin Karate Takagi-ryu Jujutsu Jikishin-ryu Jujutsu Shibukawa-ryu Jujutsu Tenjin Shin-ryu Jujutsu Chokushin-ryu Jujutsu Unkei-ryu Jujutsu