| abstract | - The World Martial Arts Tournament known as Tenka'ichi Budōkai (天下一武道会, literally Strongest Under the Heavens; Martial Arts Tournament) refers to an event in the manga of Dragon Ball, and in the anime of Dragon Ball/Z/GT. In all the Dragon Ball series there is a Tenka'ichi Budōkai on Earth, occurring every 5 years (which later changes to every 3 years). The tournament features Earth's strongest fighters as well as the regular participation of the Z Fighters. In the tournament, anyone who comes into contact outside of the ring, is knocked out for more than ten seconds, or gives up automatically loses. The tournament forbids any use of weapons or protective body gear. Poking someone in the eyes or hitting them in their vital areas is also not allowed. The most important rule is that killing the opponent is not allowed. Anyone who disobeys any of these rules result in disqualification for participating in the tournament. However, more than one villain in the manga has entered the tournament with more interest in killing someone against whom they have a vendetta than in winning the prize. All Budokai's in the original Dragon Ball series follow a certain pattern:
* Yamcha always loses in the quarter-finals, often to the main opponent.
* Goku far outclasses his opponent in the semi-finals.
* One of the other Z Fighters makes it to the semifinals (usually Krillin, once Tien) but loses to a more powerful opponent (usually the one Yamcha fought).
* Goku makes it to the finals, and takes on the powerful oppononent who has defeated at least one of his friends. World Martial Arts Tournaments are hosted, run and announced by the same World Martial Arts Tournament announcer. At the end of Dragon Ball GT he is replaced by his descendant.
- thumb|ArenaHet World Martial Arts Tournament is een vechttoernooi.
|
