The bright future of Karate in the Americas was reviewed at the XXXIV PKF Karate Championships 2021.

The bright future of Karate in the Americas was reviewed last week in Uruguay when the South American country hosted the XXXIV PKF Karate Championships 2021. WKF President Antonio Espinós travelled to Punta del Este (Uruguay) to attend the continental event and participate in meetings of the Pan American Karate Federation. 

On the eve of the PKF Championships, the meetings of the Executive Committee and the Congress of the Panamerican Karate Federation were held in Punta del Este, led by the President of PKF, Dr. José García Maañón, with the special participation of the President of the WKF, Antonio Espinós.

 At these meetings new proposals for the development and progress of Karate in the Americas were analysed. Potential opportunities to further grow the sport in the region were discussed as the goals and vision for the future of the discipline in the continent were evaluated. 

 President Garcia Maañon highlighted the importance for the development of our young athletes, the inclusion of Karate in the First Pan American Youth Games in Cali 2021 as well as the continued participation in the Pan American Games since Mar del Plata 1995, Winnipeg 1999, Dominican Republic 2003, Rio 2007, Guadalajara 2011, Toronto 2015, Lima 2019 and already on the road to Santiago 2023. All Pan Am Sports Games of the Pan American Olympic Circuit which, added to the Central American and Caribbean Regionals and the South American Games, are decisive for the best development of all the countries that make up the PKF.

 The venues for the PKF events for 2022 were also decided and Curacao was chosen to host the XXXV Pan American Senior Karate Championships during the last week of May 2022, as well as Mexico was chosen to host the Pan American U21, Youth and Cadet Championships 2022 during the last week of August. With the Pan American Karate Federation entering a new era, the new PKF Executive Committee was elected for the period 2021-2025.

The newly appointed decision making body of the organisation continues to be headed by President José García Maañón and MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: 1st Vice President (North America): John Di Pasquale (USA): John Di Pasquale (USA): John Di Pasquale (USA): John Di Pasquale (USA): John Di Pasquale (USA): John Di Pasquale (USA) ) 2nd Vice President (Caribbean): José Luis Ramírez (DOM) 3rd Vice President (South America): Luiz Cardozo (BRA) 4th Vice President (Central America): Marlon Leyton (NIC) Secretary General: Juan Manuel Fernández (PAR) Treasurer: José Antonio Méndez (PUR) Assistant Secretary: Ivonne Leiton (CUR) Assistant Treasurer: Stuart Craig Volkey (CAN) 

 WKF President Antonio Espinós said: "The development of our Continental Federations is essential to spread the progress of our sport around the world. It is satisfying to see that the Continental Championships are being held again despite the current difficult circumstances. The PKF Championships here in Punta del Este are the perfect example of major Karate events being successfully organised again and I would like to thank PKF President José García Maañón and his team for their efforts to make this happen.