WKF Vice President and Australian Karate Federation President Michael Kassis met with IOC Vice President and AOC President John Coates to discuss issues of common interest as well as to analyse the growing impact of Karate in the region and around the world.  

WKF Vice President and Australian Karate Federation President Michael Kassis met with IOC Vice President and AOC President John Coates to discuss issues of common interest as well as to analyse the growing impact of Karate in the region and around the world.  

The meeting was also attended by AKF General Secretary, Hani Zahra and featured initial discussions regarding the role of the World Karate Federation in the Olympic movement. 

During the encouraging encounter, Mr. Kassis and Mr. Coates debated the new prospects for Karate following the inclusion of the sport in the programme of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. In this sense, WKF Vice President informed Mr. Coates of the determination of Karate’s international governing body to continue in the Olympic programme.  

New initiatives such as the International World Karate Day to be held on June, 17th 2017 in Munich and upcoming top events were also reviewed. Mr. Kassis took the opportunity to express gratitude to Mr. Coates for his assistance and support for Karate and the WKF.