World Karate Federation

The World Karate Federation (WKF) is the umbrella organization of all national karate organizations worldwide. It is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, and administers all aspects of karate sport globally. 197 countries are affiliated with the WKF after seven national federations were added at the 2008 WKF Congress in Rome.

In light of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the WKF suspended athletes from Russia and Belarus from competing at any World Karate Federation events, and suspended all officials from these countries from officiating at any event sanctioned by the WKF, as well as from attending or participating in any WKF meetings, committees, and forums. In March 2023, the Russian Karate Federation sent a letter addressing the WKF and urging them to reverse the decision and allow Russian athletes to compete in WKF events. The RKF's statement included claims that the war was actually started by Ukraine and that 'Russia defends peace'. In May 2023, the World Karate Federation reinstated Russian and Belarusian athletes, shortly after a Russian missile attack forced the cancellation of a karate event in Ukraine.

Kata

• Kata, a detailed choreographed pattern of martial arts movements (World Championships since 1970)
• WKF Kata Junior World Championships from 1980 to 2011
• WKF Kata Junior & U23 World Championships from 2013
• WKF Masters Kata World Championships
• Kumite, a form of sparring (World Championships since 1970)
• WKF Masters Kumite World Championships
• WKF Kumite Masters World Cup
• Team Kata
• Karate at the Olympics (since 2020)
• Parakarate>
• Kobudo, traditional weapon training

Kumite

• Individual Kumite (World Championships since 1970)
• Team Kumite
• Para-kumite
• Shobu Ippon Kumite (since 1980)

Kumite / Kata

• Shito-ryu, a style of karate (World Championships since 1980)
• Shotokan, a style of karate (World Championships since 1980)
• Goju-ryu, a style of karate (World Championships since 1980)
• Wado-ryu, a style of karate (World Championships since 1980)

Other Disciplines

• Karate for all
• WKF Karate 1-Premier League
• WKF Karate 1-Youth League
• WKF Karate 1-Series A

There are five continental associations affiliated with the WKF. These associations are responsible for organizing continental championships, providing support for their member federations, and communicating their interests at the WKF Board meetings.

• Asian Karate Federation
• African Karate Federation
• European Karate Federation
• Oceania Karate Federation
• Pan American Karate Federation

World Karate Federation (WKF): Information about the World Karate Federation, its headquarters, administration, and global affiliations. $url1

WKF's reaction to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine: Details about the actions taken by the WKF in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and the subsequent developments. $url2