The 12th Youth World Championships (cadets, juniors, U21), which bring together 1,800 competitors from 105 countries, began today in Konya (Turkey) and continue until Sunday.
Yesterday, on the sidelines of the competition, the WKF congress was held during which the Spaniard Antonio Espinos was re-elected for the 4th time at the head of the international federation (WKF) for a new 6-year term.
By Ludovic Mauchien / Photo: WKF
94 of the 99 Congress members of the World Karate Federation (WKF) have renewed their confidence in Antonio Espinós for the next 6 years, until 2028.
At the head of the International Federation since 1998, the Spaniard, 6th Dan, was a member of the Iberian national team, president of the Spanish federation from 1984 to 1996 and president of the European federation since 1997.
His statements after the vote (source WKF) :
« Over the last years, we have taken Karate to unimaginable heights. Now it is time to continue working tirelessly to elevate Karate even more so to make our sport one of the most popular and beloved disciplines in the world ».
« It is an honor to have received such strong support from the WKF Congress to continue heading the organization for six more years. The past 24 years have been a privilege and it makes me extremely proud to see how far we have come. We have revolutionized our sport; we have accomplished tremendous achievements with unity, harmony, and respect for our traditions ».
« I am ready to continue devoting my commitment to the progress of Karate. As long as I have the support from the National Federations and the Executive Committee, I will have the energy and the strength to keep on working for Karate ».
« Karate is now a universal, modern, and exceptional sport. We have many successes to celebrate but we have many more milestones still to accomplish. By continuing to work together as one united family we can perpetuate Karate’s legacy and its status as the live-changing discipline that it is now. Karate is for life ».
