WKF Structure
WKF President Highlights Support of French Federation at Referee Briefing Ahead of 2025 Karate 1-Premier League Paris
2025-01-24

The Referee Briefing for the 2025 Karate 1-Premier League in Paris, France, stated the anticipation ahead of the start of the season opener and marked the excellent cooperation of the WKF and the French Karate Federation.
The meeting, headed by WKF President Antonio Espinós and newly elected French Karate Federation (FFK) President Bruno Verfaillie, reviewed key judging elements and sought to align criteria as part of the sport's ongoing modernization.
Managed by WKF Referee Commission Chairman Javier Escalante, the gathering of all the referees ahead of the tournament also had WKF General Secretary Toshihisa Nagura, WKF Assistant General Secretary Davor Cipek, WKF Executive Committee Member Davide Benetello, and WKF Vice President Gunnar Nordahl in attendance, among other top WKF officials.
New FFK President Bruno Verfaillie, making his first international appearance as the new leader of the French Federation, expressed his gratitude to all representatives for their support. “The French Karate Federation is committed to making this event a success,” Verfaillie said, pledging his full dedication to the growth of the sport in the country.
WKF President Antonio Espinós took the opportunity to thank former FFK President Francis Didier for his contributions to the sport. “We are grateful for the work of Mr. Didier in advancing karate in France and beyond. I extend my best wishes to Mr. Verfaillie as he takes on this important role, convinced that he will make an outstanding impact in Karate’s progress as the head of a leading National Federation as the French Karate Federation,” Espinós stated.
Mr Espinós also shared his optimism for the upcoming event, praising the strong support of the French Karate Federation. “The Karate 1-Premier League marks the start of the 2025 Karate 1-Premier League season and is always one of the highlight events of the WKF international calendar. I am sure that this time around, the event will be a huge success thanks to the fantastic cooperation of the great French Federation,” Mr Espinós added.
With the groundwork laid during the Referee Briefing, the event aims to deliver excellence in both competition and officiating.
(Top picture: WKF President Antonio Espinós praised newly elected president of the French Karate Federation Bruno Verfaillie with WKF General Secretary Toshihisa Nagura in attendance)
2025 KARATE 1-PREMIER LEAGUE PARIS
The Referee Briefing was the occasion to streamline criteria ahead of the event.
WKF President Antonio Espinós addresses the referees to officiate at #Karate1Paris.
Newly elected president of the French Karate Federation Bruno Verfaillie thanked the officials for their support.
WKF Referee Commission chairman Javier Escalante headed the meeting.