The Asian Games in Hangzhou mark a significant milestone for the future of karate. As one of the most popular martial arts globally, karate's presence at this event underscores its growing influence and development.
With all 45 members of the Olympic Council of Asia sending over 12,000 athletes, the Hangzhou Asian Games boast the highest number of participants and sports in the history of the event. This unprecedented scale provides a robust platform for karate to showcase its universal appeal and competitive spirit.
Antonio Espinós Ortueta, President of the World Karate Federation (WKF), emphasizes the sport's global reach, highlighting that karate is practiced by approximately 200 national federations across five continents. In Asia alone, there are 45 national federation members, reflecting the sport's deep roots and widespread popularity.
The journey of karate on the Olympic stage began with its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which acted as a catalyst for the sport's development. Although karate will not be featured in the Paris 2024 Games, the WKF remains committed to enhancing karate's global attractiveness. The federation is optimistic about securing a spot for karate in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, continuing its efforts to elevate the sport's prominence worldwide.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
