The chairpersons of the Medical Commissions of all five Continental Federations met in Salzburg (Austria) this past weekend together with the Chairman of the WKF Medical Commission Dr. Rafael Arriaza to discuss a number of relevant health and safety issues including athletes’ well-being at Karate events. 

The chairpersons of the Medical Commissions of all five Continental Federations met in Salzburg (Austria) this past weekend together with the Chairman of the WKF Medical Commission Dr. Rafael Arriaza to discuss a number of relevant health and safety issues including athletes’ well-being at Karate events.

The meeting of the representatives of the Medical Commissions of all five continental federations took place in Salzburg on the eve of the Karate 1-Premier League event. Headed by WKF Medical Commission Chairman Rafael Arriaza, the gathering had the participation of doctors Isabel Moreno (EKF), George Glausiuss (OKF), Mohame Zouhir Djoudi (UFAK), Juan Ramon Silva Moreno (PKF) and Yasser Saifallah Mohammed Sharif (AKF) together with local doctor Dietrich Lahoda.

Aiming at unifying procedures and streamlining good practises around the performance of medical teams in Karate events worldwide, the meeting put athletes’ safety at heart. Minimising the risks of athletes in competition and guaranteeing the best possible treatments for competitors in events were also on top of the agenda.

“The safety and well-being of our athletes is our number one priority. The Medical Commissions in our five continental federations play the most relevant role in ensuring that our stars can progress in the sport and that they can safely showcase their abilities without having their security compromised. I really appreciate the hard work and efforts of all the doctors here in Salzburg and I hope that with their help we can continue looking to the future of our sport,” said WKF President Antonio Espinós.

(Top picture: WKF President Antonio Espinós (centre) poses with Dr. Arriaza and the chairpersons of the Medical Commissions of all five continental federations) 

From left to right: President of Salzburg Karate Association and organiser of the Karate 1-Premier League Salzburg Georg Russbacher, EKF Medical Commission chairwoman Isabel Moreno, WKF Medical Commission chairman Rafael Arriaza, and WKF President Antonio Espinós.