History of the European Karate Federation (EKF)

The European Karate Federation (EKF) is the continental governing body for the sport of karate in Europe, operating under the authority of the World Karate Federation (WKF). Its roots date back to the early 1960s, when karate was rapidly expanding throughout Europe, primarily through the efforts of Japanese instructors and pioneering European practitioners.

Formation and Early Years

The EKF was originally founded in 1965 as the European Karate Union (EKU), in response to the growing popularity of karate and the need for standardized rules and competition formats across different European countries. Founding members included key nations such as France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and Germany. The first official European Karate Championships took place that same year in Paris, laying the foundation for continental competition.

During these early years, the EKU played a vital role in harmonizing karate styles and rules, which had previously varied significantly between countries and organizations. This standardisation helped make the sport more structured, paving the way for international recognition.

Transition to EKF

In 1993, the European Karate Union was officially renamed the European Karate Federation (EKF) to align its name with the World Karate Federation, following the global unification of karate under the WKF banner. This change reflected a shift toward more professional governance and closer collaboration with international sporting bodies.

The EKF became fully integrated into the WKF structure and adopted the WKF competition rules and policies. This allowed European athletes to seamlessly transition between continental and world-level competitions, strengthening the region’s position on the global stage.

Modern Era and Achievements

Today, the EKF governs over 50 national karate federations across Europe and organizes annual championships for Senior, Junior, Cadet, and Under-21 categories. It also coordinates Para-Karate events, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity.

European athletes are consistently among the top performers in WKF World Championships and the Olympic Games, with countries like France, Turkey, Spain, Italy, and Azerbaijan dominating many weight categories and kata events.

The EKF also plays a major role in coach and referee education, anti-doping efforts, and the development of karate as a recognized Olympic and professional sport.

Key Milestones

  • 1965 – EKU founded and 1st European Karate Championships held.

  • 1993 – EKU renamed to European Karate Federation (EKF).

  • 2000s – Full alignment with WKF governance and competition rules.

  • 2021 – European karatekas shine in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the first Olympic Games to include karate.