Karate has been included on the sport programme of the 2019 European Games.  The discipline will be one of the modalities featured at the second edition of the European Games to be held in Minsk (Belarus) in 2019, following the agreement between the European Karate Federation and the European Olympic Committees. 

Karate has been included on the sports programme of the 2019 European Games.  The discipline will be one of the modalities featured at the second edition of the European Games to be held in Minsk (Belarus) in 2019, following the agreement between the European Karate Federation and the European Olympic Committees. 

The EKF and the EOC reached an agreement whereby Karate is added to the list of the disciplines that will be presented at the continental multi-sport event in 2019. The addition of Karate to the programme of Minsk 2019 represents a milestone for the sport; it further increases the presence of the ancient modality in the most important events, and it extends the hopeful moment of the sport after its inclusion in the programmes of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018 and the Games of the Small States of Europe 2021, among others. 

The incorporation of Karate to the European Games 2019 also means that the event to take place in the Belarus capital will be one of the qualifying tournaments for Tokyo 2020. The 2019 European Games will be a qualification event for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.  

“We are very pleased to be able to keep bringing great news to the Karate family. The Karate competition at the 2015 European Games was a huge success as we could showcase the greatness of our sport and the many values of Karate. In our intention of further raising the profile of our discipline, the inclusion of Karate in the programme of the 2019 European Games is considered crucial, especially taking into account that it will give athletes more opportunities for the Olympic qualification,” declared WKF and EKF President Antonio Espinós.   

Karate played a key role in the first edition of the European Games which were held in Baku (Azerbaijan) in 2015. Nearly a hundred karatekas from 38 countries participated at the inaugural European Games in Baku, with hosts of Azerbaijan topping the final standings with six medals and four golds.