EKF and WKF President Mr. Antonio Espinós encouraged representatives of the European Karate family to work hand in hand and with optimism in the wake of the historic moments to be lived by the sport in the upcoming months.

EKF and WKF President Mr. Antonio Espinós encouraged representatives of the European Karate family to work hand in hand and with optimism in the wake of the historic moments to be lived by the sport in the upcoming months.

Mr. Espinós made the statements during his welcoming words to the members of the EKF Congress held in Montpellier on Wednesday. The general gathering of the European Karate Federation met in the French city to evaluate the situation of the sport in the continent and to present the roadmap of the organisation ahead of the fascinating future of Karate in Europe and in the world.

“We are in the last steps in our long way to reach a milestone in Karate history. Our destiny is to be Olympic sport and we have been working very hard and for many years for this moment,” Mr. Espinós said. “We are hopeful and we can look our future with optimism about our inclusion in the Olympic programme for Tokyo 2020."

President Espinós reviewed the current situation and the latest developments in the process for Karate to be included for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad to be celebrated in Tokyo in 2020. 

“I hope that we will be able to make celebrations very soon in this historic moment for our sport, but up to the last minute we have to continue working and cannot look away from our true goal,” Mr. Espinós added.

During his presentation, EKF and WKF President thanked the French Karate Federation for their excellent work in the preparations of the EKF Congress and of the 51st edition of the European Karate Championships to be held in Montpellier Arena from May 5-8. Mr. Espinós also showed gratitude for the presence in the event of WKF General Secretary Mr. Toshihisa Nagura; WKF Vice-president Mr. Béchir Cherif; WKF Athletes Commission chairman Mr. Davide Benetello, and FIJLKAM President Mr. Domenico Falcone, among others.

The EKF Congress gave a standing ovation to EKF 1st Vice-president Mr. Gunnar Nordahl, who will be retiring from his position after more than 20 years in the EKF. His role in EKF Executive Committe will be taken by Swedish Karate Federation President Mr. Urban Andersson. President Espinós also acknowledged the inclusion of Liechtenstein as new member of the EKF, thus representing that 100% of European countries are enlisted in the European institution.

The update reports by organisers of the upcoming top events of the sport in Europe for the following years were also presented, including the 2016 WKF Youth Camp and Cup in Croatia, the 2016 European Karate Championships for Regions in Turkey, the 2016 World Championships in Linz, the 2017 Juniors, Cadets & U21 Championships in Bulgaria, the 2017 Seniors Championships in Turkey and the 2017 European Karate Championships for Regions in Kosovo. Regarding upcoming events, it was also decided that the 2021 Seniors European Championships will be held in Netherlands.

With that, and summoning attendees to the next edition of the assembly of European Karate to take place in Turkey in 2017, the EKF Congress closed its session.

Ahead of the EKF Congress, the EKF Executive Committee gathered Wednesday morning in a fruitful meeting chaired by EKF and WKF President Mr. Antonio Espinós. The agenda and the different proposals to be presented to the national federation representatives at the Congress were reviewed.