Karate bids for inclusion in 2020 Olympics

I have just found out that the World Karate Federation (WKF) are making a bid to get Karate into the 2020 Olympics.

This is fantastic news!

Having trained in Karate (Shotokan and Goju-Ryu) since I was 6 and regularly competed on the National and International competition circuit, I am over the moon that the WKF are finally pulling their finger out and campaigning to get Karate as a recognised Olympic sport. As a youngster, I competed for my country and won several medals: I would have been considered as an Olympic hopeful. I think you can imagine the feeling I had when I found out that Karate wasn’t part of the greatest sporting competition on Earth.

Karate is a fantastic martial art to practice, as well as to spectate and I see no reason why it should be refused. Here are some facts taken from The K is on the Way website:

• KARATE IS A POPULAR COMBAT SPORT – Leader among sports federations and practitioners. Leader in broadcasting and media communication. When combat sport is mentioned, KARATE immediately jumps to mind.
• KARATE BUILDS SOCIAL INTEGRATION – Lifelong practice of humility, mutual respect, rejection of violence, physical health and emotional control ensures that KARATE practitioners become good role models and ethical citizens.
• KARATE IS FOR ALL – Karate is integrative, practiced worldwide in all cultures and nations. Disability is not an obstacle and a specific body type is not required.
• Social Integration – One of the key elements that defines Karate is respect for others. Practitioners consider themselves equal whatever their social or economisc background, culture, language or gender may be.
• Fairness and Humility – Karate practitioners are noble; not only do they learn to see the sport as a competition, they also consider it a lifelong practice in wich all are equal and help each other attain their goals.
• Physical and Mental Balance – Karate practice teaches control of agressiveness and violence, overcoming shyness and improving confidence. Psychomotor capacity is improved through coordination of movement, synchronisation and reflexes.
• Rejection of violence – Practising Karate implies learning to control one’s strength. This sport penalises contact. Violence is not part of Karate.
• Overcoming Difficulties – Karate provides the will to overcome and to respect others. Practising Karate strengthens the spirit wich prepares people to deal with obstacles and difficulties in everyday life.

I can most certainly relate to these benefits, having trained in it for almost 17 years.

My time has passed to be considered as an Olympic hopeful now, but it really means a lot to me that the millions of youngsters all around the world won’t have their Olympic dreams quashed as mine were. The best bit is, you don’t have to be a practitioner to support it.

I’ve backed the bid for Karate to be an Olympic sport in 2020, will you?