As the Karate world continues taking steps to resume its activities under the new normal, a training camp was held in Bosön, Stockholm (Sweden) to give national team athletes in the country the chance to practise the sport - including Kumite - amid the effects of the current coronavirus pandemic. 

As the Karate world continues taking steps to resume its activities under the new normal, a training camp was held in Bosön, Stockholm (Sweden) to give national team athletes in the country the chance to practise the sport - including Kumite - amid the effects of the current coronavirus pandemic.

“There is a common view in Sweden that maintaining sports activities in as a great extent as possible carries more benefits then if we cancelled everything. As of now, we can gather up to 50 persons at a time, as long as we set regulations to prevent spreading the Covid-19 virus”, said Swedish National Federation President Urban Andersson.

Following the recommendations of the authorities, the Swedish Karate Federation hosted the training camp, with all athletes, officials and referees successfully complying with the rules.

Different activities were held at the three-day event including tests of physical abilities, a meeting of the National Federation board and the national team coaches, lectures with the Swedish Armed Forces, anti-doping outreach, and sessions with a sports psychologist.

”Our main goal is to keep the athletes’ spirits up, inspire them and help them maintain the best possible training, awaiting WKF competitions to start again. Our camps play a vital part in doing that. Of course, this also includes our coaches and referees,” added Mr Andersson.

Kumite bouts were held during the sessions thus giving athletes the opportunity to prepare for the competitions under the new normal.

“We are going through very difficult times, and the absence of competitions is making the situation even harder for our athletes. It is very encouraging to see that national federations like our friends in Sweden are working hard to organise activities in order to try to go back to normal as soon as possible. The efforts of the Swedish National Federation are even more remarkable as they include Kumite. I sincerely thank them for the initiative, and I hope other national federations follow the example,” said WKF President Antonio Espinós.