The World Karate Federation has announced today that the 2019 World Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships in Santiago (Chile) will be celebrated as scheduled despite the situation of social unrest in the ry. 

The World Karate Federation has announced today that the 2019 World Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships in Santiago (Chile) will be celebrated as scheduled despite the situation of social unrest in the ry. 

Karate’s international governing body will be hosting the most important underage competition of the sport as planned after receiving confirmation from the Chilean authorities that conditions for the normal progress of the tournament were assured.  

The 2019 World Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships are scheduled to take place in Santiago from Wednesday, October 23 to Sunday, October 27. The Chilean National Karate federation, in constant communication with top sports authorities in the ry, received official confirmation from their government that participants and staff members’ safety ahead of the event was guaranteed. 

“The wellbeing of all the members of the Karate family taking part at the World Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships in Santiago is our main concern. Since the Chilean government has made clear that the event could be held as expected, we will continue with the anticipated celebration of underage sport that is our World Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships,” said WKF President Antonio Espinós. 

The Chilean government declared a state of emergency in parts of Santiago early Saturday after riots broke around the capital. The protests began on Monday over an increase in metro fares but morphed into extended protests.