The victims of the earthquakes in Turkiye were honoured this past weekend in Konya as the Turkish city hosted the second Karate 1-Series A event of the season. The resilience and efforts of the Turkish Karate Federation to host a major international event in the country after such a horrendous tragedy were also recognised.

Barely a month after the devastating earthquakes that hit southern and central Turkiye causing tens of thousands of casualties, a major Karate event was held in the country as the 2023 Karate 1-Series A took place in Konya.

The World Karate Federation took the opportunity of the event being held in Konya to honour the victims, some of which were members and family of the Turkish Karate Federation. WKF Assistant General Secretary Davor Cipek was appointed by WKF President Antonio Espinós to represent the organisation in the tribute.

WKF Assistant General Secretary Davor Cipek said:

“In this terrible and very chaotic situation, and at the same time very sad for all of those who lost family members, the Turkish Karate Federation found the strength and sacrifice to hold one of the most important events on the WKF’s international calendar, the Karate 1-Series A in the city of Konya.

“On behalf of the WKF President and the whole Karate community, I would like to recognise the TKF’s efforts and express our most sincere congratulations and gratitude to the Turkish Karate Federation and its President Aslan Abid Uguz, as well as to the local organising committee, for the excellent organization and hospitality shown to all participants and guests.”

Around 1000 athletes from 60 countries participated in the event, thus showing Karate’s support to the family of Turkish Karate in these difficult times.

WKF President Antonio Espinós added:

“The Turkish Karate Federation has demonstrated tremendous tenacity and resilience in hosting, quite successfully, the Karate 1-Series A event in Konya this past weekend. Their efforts to provide the best conditions to all the athletes travelling to Konya should be recognised and praised.

“Karate has shown that sports may bring light even in the darkest times. We are dismayed by the loss of so many lives and we want to send our deepest condolences to all those who were affected by this tragedy.”

(Top picture: From left to right: WKF Referee Commission Assistant Secretary Natalija Dajcman, TKF Executive Committee member Yaser Sahintekin, WKF Karate 1-Series A Supervisor and WKF Technical Commission member Dominique Sigillo, WKF Assistant General Secretary Davor Cipek, TKF President Aslan Abid Uguz, TKF Executive Committee member and Head of the Organising Committee of the WKF Karate 1-Series A Konya Serpil Baris, TKF Vice President Timur Ozdemir)