MATSUBAYASHI RYU- KUMITE Kumite means sparring, and is one of the three main sections of karate training, along with kata and kihon or basic skills. Kumite is the part of karate in which you train against an adversary, using the techniques learnt from the kihon and kata. Kumite can be used to develop a particular technique or a skill (e.g. effectively judging and adjusting your distance from your opponent).