IOC President congratulates WKF for 50th Anniversary

The President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach sent a congratulatory message to the Karate family as the Karate community around the world is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the creation of the World Karate Federation. 

“I would like to add my heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the Olympic Movement for reaching this important milestone. You can look back with pride on a period of extraordinary growth and development of Karate in the world,” said Mr Bach.

The World Karate Federation is commemorating five decades of progress. Karate’s international governing body was founded in Tokyo (Japan) on October 10, 1970, ahead of the first edition of the Karate World Championships.

“The close partnership that the IOC enjoys with the World Karate Federation has continued to grow and strengthen. As we have seen during the unprecedented situation that the world is currently facing with the global coronavirus crisis, we are always stronger together. The IOC is privileged to have reliable partners like the World Karate Federation at our side as we promote the role of sport as an essential factor in fighting the pandemic and as an integral part of the solution for the crisis recovery,” said IOC President in the letter of congratulation. 

Karate is ready to make its Olympic debut at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The first Olympic appearance of the sport will take place in the same venue where the WKF was founded and where the inaugural Karate World Championships were held: Nippon Budokan arena of Tokyo. 

“The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 next year will be an even more significant occasion to highlight your 50th anniversary and to celebrate the power of sport at the home of Karate in the historic Nippon Budokan,” added Mr Bach. 

Source: WKF