ANTI-DOPING

The International Kempo Federation (IKF) is committed to the principles of the World Anti-Doping Code and to the protection of clean sport. The IKF is currently developing and implementing its anti-doping programme in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the applicable International Standards.

IKF Anti-Doping Rules

The IKF Anti-Doping Rules are based on the World Anti-Doping Code and the applicable International Standards. The current version of the IKF Anti-Doping Rules is available below.
IKF Anti-Doping Rules 2021 Download

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ABOUT ANTI-DOPING – CLEAN SPORT

The International Kempo Federation (IKF) is committed to protecting clean sport and promoting the values of fairness, integrity, respect, health and ethical conduct in Kempo.

Doping can be harmful to an athlete’s health, damages the integrity and image of sport, and is contrary to the values of fair play and clean competition.

What is doping?

Doping is not limited to a positive test. Under the World Anti-Doping Code, doping is defined as the occurrence of one or more Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs).

These include:

  1. Presence of a Prohibited Substance, its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample;
  2. Use or Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method;
  3. Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit to Sample Collection;
  4. Whereabouts Failures;
  5. Tampering or Attempted Tampering with any part of Doping Control;
  6. Possession of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method;
  7. Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking;
  8. Administration or Attempted Administration of a Prohibited Substance or Method to an Athlete;
  9. Complicity or Attempted Complicity in an ADRV;
  10. Prohibited Association; and
  11. Acts to discourage or retaliate against reporting doping-related information.

Why is doping prohibited?

The use of Prohibited Substances or Prohibited Methods to enhance performance is contrary to the spirit of sport. Doping can harm an athlete’s health and undermines fairness, integrity and trust in Kempo and in sport generally.

Strict Liability

Under the principle of Strict Liability, Athletes are responsible for any Prohibited Substance, or its Metabolites or Markers, found in their Sample, regardless of whether its use was intentional or unintentional.

It is therefore each Athlete’s responsibility to know what enters their body and to ensure that any medication, supplement or treatment they use complies with the applicable anti-doping rules.

CONSEQUENCES OF DOPING

Doping can have serious consequences for an Athlete’s health, sporting career, personal life, reputation and financial situation.

Sport Consequences

Sanctions for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) may include:

  • Provisional Suspension – temporary prohibition from participating in competitions or other sporting activities while the results management process is ongoing;
  • Ineligibility – prohibition from competing or participating in sport-related activities for a specified period, which may extend up to four years or even lifetime depending on the circumstances;
  • Disqualification of Results – invalidation of results, including the loss of medals, points and prizes;
  • Public Disclosure of the Anti-Doping Rule Violation;
  • Fines, where applicable.

Health Consequences

Doping can have serious effects on both physical and mental health.

The use or misuse of substances or medical interventions may cause harmful side effects, depending on the substance, dosage and frequency of use.

Certain doping substances may also affect mental health and may contribute to conditions such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders or psychosis.

Social Consequences

Doping may lead to:

  • Damage to reputation and public image;
  • Loss of credibility and respect;
  • Damage to future career prospects;
  • Isolation from teammates, peers and the sporting community;
  • Damage to relationships with family and friends;
  • Negative effects on emotional and psychological well-being.

Financial Consequences

Doping may also result in:

  • Fines and costs related to an Anti-Doping Rule Violation;
  • Loss of income or financial support;
  • Loss of sponsorship;
  • Reimbursement of sponsorship funds or prize money, where applicable;
  • Negative effects on future professional and sporting opportunities.

Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)

IKF TUE APPLICATION FORM

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IKF TUE ATHLETES PROCESS

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WHAT IS A TUE?

As an Athlete, you may have an illness or condition that requires a particular medication. If this medication contains a substance on the WADA Prohibited List, you may be granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) giving you permission to take it.

WHY WOULD YOU NEED A TUE?

TUEs ensure that you are able to obtain treatment for a legitimate medical condition, even if that treatment requires a prohibited substance or method. The TUE process avoids the risk of sanctions due to a positive test.

WHO NEEDS A TUE?

For IKF anti-doping purposes, an International-Level Athlete is a senior athlete who competes in Full Kempo 1 and represents their country in at least one official IKF international competition. International-Level Athletes who require a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) must apply to the IKF in accordance with the applicable IKF Anti-Doping Rules and the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE), unless they already hold a valid TUE granted by their National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) that is automatically recognized by the IKF.

Note:The IKF automatically recognizes valid TUEs granted by a National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO), in accordance with the applicable International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE) and the IKF Anti-Doping Rules. Therefore, an Athlete who already holds a valid NADO-granted TUE does not need to submit a new TUE application to the IKF. If the IKF tests an Athlete who is neither an International-Level Athlete nor a National-Level Athlete, the Athlete may be permitted to apply for a retroactive TUE in accordance with the applicable rules.

HOW TO GET A TUE?

If an International-Level Athlete, as defined by the IKF, requires the use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method for therapeutic reasons and does not already hold a valid TUE that is recognized by the IKF, the Athlete must apply to the IKF for a TUE in accordance with the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE).

TUE PROCESS

  1. Download the IKF TUE Application Form.
  2. Ask your physician to complete the relevant sections of the TUE Application Form and provide the required supporting medical documentation.
  3. Submit the completed TUE Application Form and supporting medical documentation through the secure submission method designated by the IKF. Sensitive medical information should not be sent through unsecured email. Athletes should contact the IKF for secure submission instructions.
  4. Once the application has been received, the IKF Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee (TUEC) will review the request and determine whether the applicable requirements for granting a TUE are met, including whether:
    • the Athlete’s health would be significantly impaired without the prohibited substance or method;
    • the treatment would not produce additional performance enhancement beyond returning the Athlete to normal health; and
    • there is no reasonable permitted therapeutic alternative.
  5. The IKF will notify the Athlete of the TUEC’s decision. If the application is denied, the Athlete will be informed of the reasons for the decision and of any applicable right of review or appeal.

TUE applications submitted to the IKF are free of charge.

TIME FRAME

International-Level Athletes should apply for a TUE as soon as the need for a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method arises and, where applicable, at least 30 days before participating in an official IKF international competition. In exceptional circumstances, a retroactive TUE may be granted in accordance with the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE).

IKF THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION COMMITTEE (TUEC)

The IKF shall appoint a Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee (TUEC) to assess applications for the granting or recognition of TUEs. The TUEC shall evaluate each application independently and in accordance with the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE) and the applicable IKF Anti-Doping Rules. All medical and personal information reviewed by the TUEC shall be treated as strictly confidential.

WADA Resources

The IKF encourages all athletes, coaches, medical personnel and Athlete Support Personnel to consult the official World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) resources and remain informed about the applicable anti-doping rules and International Standards.

World Anti-Doping Code
International Standards

WADA Prohibited List

The WADA Prohibited List identifies the substances and methods prohibited in sport. The 2026 Prohibited List came into effect on 1 January 2026. Athletes and Athlete Support Personnel are responsible for ensuring that they consult the current version of the Prohibited List.

WADA Prohibited List 2026

Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes

Further Resources

Education

Anti-doping education is an essential part of the IKF’s commitment to clean sport. Athletes, coaches, medical personnel and other Athlete Support Personnel are encouraged to use WADA’s educational resources to improve their knowledge of anti-doping rules, rights and responsibilities.
The IKF particularly encourages athletes competing at international level in Kempo to complete anti-doping education before participating in major IKF international competitions.
WADA Education & Prevention

ADEL

WADA’s Anti-Doping Education and Learning (ADEL) platform provides free education on clean sport and anti-doping for athletes, coaches, medical personnel, administrators and other stakeholders. The IKF strongly encourages its international-level athletes and Athlete Support Personnel to complete the relevant ADEL education programmes.
https://adel.wada-ama.org/

Further Information

Definition of supplements

Supplements include protein powders, vitamins, herbal remedies and products which claim, among other things, to assist weight loss, develop muscular strength, increase exercise-induced gains in muscle size, reduce skeletal muscle damage from exercise, improve aerobic exercise performance, and expedite recovery from exercise.  Among the most widely used are high protein drinks, branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), glutamine, arginine, essential fatty acids (EFAs), creatine, HMB, whey protein and ZMA.

Supplements come in a variety of forms, including tablets, capsules, gummies, and powders, as well as drinks and energy bars.

Use
Before using any supplement, it is important that athletes, their coaches and support personnel consider if they are necessary or not.

Risk
There is no guarantee that a supplement is free from Prohibited Substances. Athletes and Athlete Support Personnel must therefore be aware of the risks associated with supplement use, including:

  • Supplements can contain Prohibited substances
  • Supplements may contain ingredients listed differently to how they appear on the Prohibited List
  • In many countries the manufacturing and labelling of supplements may not follow strict rules.  Supplements might not be made with adequate quality control and their labels may not accurately list all of their ingredients which increases the risk of a supplement containing an undeclared substance that is prohibited
  • Caution should be used when purchasing supplements, especially via the internet, since there’s an increased risk of fake supplement products
  • Athletes competing in Kempo weight categories should exercise particular caution with supplements marketed for weight loss, fat burning, energy or performance enhancement, as these products may present an increased anti-doping risk.

A positive test can have a significant negative effect on an athlete, such as:

  • Athlete and/or teammates may be stripped of previous achievements
  • Isolation from peers and sport
  • Damaged relationships with friends and family
  • Effects on emotional and psychological well-being
  • Permanent damage to reputation as a consequence of media publicity
  • Loss of standing, respect and credibility among peers and the wider community

As an athlete, you have certain roles and responsibilities. These include:

  • You must know and comply with all “applicable anti-doping policies and rules.”
  • You must take responsibility for what you “ingest,” meaning what you eat and drink and anything that may enter your body. The essential rule is this: if it is in your body, you are responsible for it. In legal terms, this is called “strict liability.”
  • You must be available for sample collection.
  • You must inform medical personnel that they are obligated not to give you prohibited substances or methods. You must also take responsibility to make sure that any medical treatment you receive does not violate the Code.
  • You must cooperate with anti-doping organizations investigating anti-doping rule violations.
  • For more details, see Article 21.1.

Athletes’ rights include (but are not limited to):

  1. During the doping control
    • Bring a representative and where required (and available), an interpreter
    • Ask for additional information about the sample collection process
    • Request a delay in reporting to the doping control station for valid reasons (International Standard for Testing and Investigations Art. 5.4.4) and
    • Request modifications as an athlete with an impairment (if applicable)
  2. Requesting and attending the B sample analysis (in the case of an Adverse Analytical Finding) and;
  3. In the case of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) being asserted, the athlete has the right to a fair hearing and the right to appeal the hearing decision

Athlete Support Personnel and other persons subject to anti-doping rules also have rights and responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Code.

Rights

Athlete Support Personnel have the right to:

  • A fair hearing before an independent hearing panel;
  • Appeal a hearing decision;
  • Have their personal information protected in accordance with the applicable data protection rules.

Responsibilities

Athlete Support Personnel have an important role in protecting clean sport and supporting Athletes in complying with anti-doping rules. Their responsibilities include:

  • Using their influence on Athletes’ values and behaviours to promote clean sport;
  • Knowing and complying with all applicable anti-doping rules and policies;
  • Cooperating with the doping control process;
  • Cooperating with Anti-Doping Organizations investigating possible Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs);
  • Informing the relevant International Federation and/or National Anti-Doping Organization if they have committed an ADRV within the applicable period;
  • Not possessing, administering, trafficking or assisting in the use of Prohibited Substances or Prohibited Methods without an acceptable justification;
  • Not assisting, encouraging, covering up or participating in any form of Anti-Doping Rule Violation;
  • Avoiding prohibited association with persons who are ineligible due to an anti-doping sanction.

Supporting Clean Sport

The IKF encourages all coaches, medical personnel, officials, parents and other Athlete Support Personnel to:

  • Complete relevant education courses available on WADA’s ADEL platform.
  • Educate themselves on anti-doping rules;
  • Help Athletes check medications and supplements;
  • Encourage clean sport values;

The ‘spirit of sport’ based on the values of ethics, health and fair-play is undermined by doping and jeopardises the public perception of our sport and the future of our sport.

The principle of strict liability is applied in situations where urine/blood samples collected from an athlete have produced adverse analytical results.

It means that each athlete is strictly liable for the substances found in his or her bodily specimen, and that an anti-doping rule violation occurs whenever a prohibited substance (or its metabolites or markers) is found in bodily specimen, whether or not the athlete intentionally or unintentionally used a prohibited substance or was negligent or otherwise at fault.

WADA’s Speak Up Platform allows athletes, their support personnel and all others who may have information to share regarding a possible Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) to provide the information to WADA in a confidential manner if they choose.

Speak Up can also be used to report possible non-compliance by an Anti-Doping Organization (ADO) under the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) or any act or deed that could undermine global efforts for sport.

SPEAK UP PLATFORM:
https://speakup.wada-ama.org/frontpage

  • Notification
    • The athlete is notified by a doping control officer (DCO) or chaperone that they have been selected for doping control (testing) and they are informed under which Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) authority they are being tested.
  • Reporting to the Doping Control Station
    • The athlete must report to the doping control station immediately (although they may be excused for medal ceremonies etc. once they’ve checked in).
  • Choosing sample collection vessel (urine sample) and/or blood collection kit (blood sample)
    • The athlete will choose a urine sample collection vessel from a selection made available by the doping control personnel.
    • If a blood sample is collected, the athlete will choose a blood collection kit from a selection made available by the doping control personnel.
  • Providing a sample
    • The DCO or chaperone will witness the passing of the urine sample when the athlete is ready to provide it.
    • If a blood sample is required, a qualified Blood Collection Officer (BCO) will collect the blood using the appropriate blood collection equipment and in accordance with the applicable sample collection procedures.
  • Splitting of the sample
    • The athlete will divide the urine sample into the A and B bottles, while retaining a residual amount of urine in the sample collection vessel. The B sample provides the athlete with the opportunity to request a second analysis in the event that the A sample returns an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF).
    • For blood samples, the collection, division and sealing procedure will depend on the type of analysis required. Where applicable, blood samples may be collected and sealed as A and B samples. For samples collected as part of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) programme, the applicable ABP sample collection procedures will be followed.
  • Sealing of the sample
    • The athlete will seal the sample collection equipment as instructed by the DCO or BCO, in accordance with the applicable sample collection procedures.
  • Measuring specific gravity (urine)
    • The DCO will measure the specific gravity of the athlete’s urine to determine whether the sample meets the applicable laboratory requirements. If the sample is too dilute, the athlete may be required to provide one or more additional samples.
  • Completing the Doping Control Form (DCF)
    • The athlete will complete the Doping Control Form (DCF), either in paper or digital format, with the DCO. The athlete will be asked to provide the required information, including any substances or methods used, and may record any comments related to the doping control process. The athlete will receive a paper or digital copy of the completed DCF.
  • The sample is sent to the laboratory
    • The sealed sample will be securely transported to a WADA-accredited laboratory for analysis. Samples collected as part of an Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) programme will be handled and analysed in accordance with the applicable WADA requirements.
    • The information provided to the laboratory will not identify the athlete by name. The sample will be identified using the relevant sample code and other information required for analysis.

ATHLETE BIOLOGICAL PASSPORT (ABP)
The fundamental principle of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) is to monitor selected biological variables over time in order to identify the effects of doping, rather than relying solely on the direct detection of a specific Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method.

The IKF is developing and implementing its Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) programme in accordance with the applicable WADA requirements.

The ABP may be used by the IKF to:

  • identify Athletes who may require further attention or Target Testing;
  • support decisions regarding the timing, frequency and type of additional testing;
  • support investigations into possible Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs); and
  • strengthen the IKF’s overall risk-based anti-doping programme.

REGISTERED TESTING POOL (RTP), WHEREABOUTS AND ADAMS

The International Kempo Federation (IKF) does not currently maintain a Registered Testing Pool (RTP). Therefore, no athletes are currently required by the IKF to submit whereabouts information in ADAMS.

As the IKF anti-doping programme develops, the IKF may establish a Registered Testing Pool in the future. If this occurs, all affected athletes will be formally informed of their inclusion in the RTP, their whereabouts responsibilities, the applicable deadlines and requirements, and how to use ADAMS.

ADAMS (Anti-Doping Administration and Management System) is WADA’s secure online platform used for the management of anti-doping information, including whereabouts information where applicable.

ANTI-DOPING SANCTIONS IN FORCE

There are no anti-doping sanctions in force at this time.