WKF President Antonio Espinós held a significant meeting with the President of the Philippine Olympic Committee Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino on the occasion of the 2024 AKF Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships in Manila. The meeting focused on the development of Karate in the Philippines and the Olympic prospects of the sport.

Joining the discussion were AKF Vice President Rashid Al Ali, AKF CEO Vincent Chen, and the President of the National Federation of the Philippines Richard Lim. During the meeting, the leaders highlighted the sport's rapid growth and the increasing number of young athletes taking up karate. Discussions also centred on karate's prospects for future Olympic participation, emphasising the importance of continued collaboration to achieve shared goals.

WKF President Antonio Espinós said after the meeting:

"I would like to thank President Tolentino for his unwavering support and for the warm hospitality extended to us during the AKF Cadet, Junior, & U21 Championships in Manila. The success of this event is a testament to the dedication of the Philippine karate community and the strong leadership of the Philippine Karate Federation and its president, Richard Lim, and for that, the support of the Philippine Olympic Committee is crucial.

“Our common goal is to continue seeing Karate thriving in the Philippines. I am convinced that the collaboration between the WKF, AKF, the Philippine Karate Federation, and the Philippine Olympic Committee will ensure that our sport maintains its status as one of the most popular disciplines in the region.

Top picture: From left to right: AKF Vice President Rashid Al Ali, WKF President Antonio Espinós, AKF CEO Vincent Chen, the President of the National Federation of the Philippines Richard Lim, and the president of the Philippine Olympic Committee Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

WKF President Antonio Espinós (right) receives a recognition from the president of the Philippine Olympic Committee Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.