Karatekas with refugee status will have the opportunity to participate in the 2016 Karate World Championships to be held in Linz (Austria).

Karatekas with refugee status will have the opportunity to participate in the 2016 Karate World Championships to be held in Linz (Austria). The WKF has decided to allow the inscription of refugees in the next edition of the flagship event of international Karate as a response to the current global humanitarian crisis, the institution claims.

“Karate is a sport of many values; the ethics and ideals that characterize Karate prevent us from looking away from the existing tragedy of refugees. Therefore, we want to do everything in our power to show our sympathy and support to those who are going through the ordeal of being exiled from their place of origin,” said WKF President Antonio Espinós.

Following this ruling, two athletes with official refugee status per national federation will be allowed to be registered in the 2016 Karate World Championships. These Karatekas will compete in Linz under the WKF flag and symbol.

The WKF will now ask national federations to identify refugees with potential to participate in the tournament, so to evaluate the number of Karatekas under this situation to be likely to fight for the medals in Linz.

The decision of opening the doors of the first-class event of international Karate to the victims of the humanitarian crisis of refugees was ratified by the WKF Executive Committee on Tuesday, and represents the WKF’s vow to continue extending the traditional code of principles such as responsibility and consciousness of this ancient discipline.

The 23rd edition of the Karate World Championships will capture the attention of Karate fans worldwide from October 25-30 and it will be celebrated in the TipSports Arena of Linz (Austria).