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International Federation · Karate

WKF — World Karate Federation

The IOC-recognized world governing body of karate — nearly 200 member countries, the World Championships, and a continuing Olympic campaign.
✓ Last reviewed: August 2026
RoleIOC-recognized world governing body of karate
Members~200 national federations — one of the largest memberships in sport
FlagshipsWorld Championships (biennial) · Karate 1-Premier League · world rankings
Olympic statusCampaigning for reinstatement after LA28 exclusion

What is the WKF?

The World Karate Federation is the IOC-recognized world governing body of karate — nearly 200 member national federations, running the World Championships, the Karate 1-Premier League and the sport's world rankings.[1] [2]

What is it working on?

Beyond governing competition, the WKF's central project is Olympic reinstatement: after Tokyo 2020's debut and the LA28 exclusion, the federation has organized its national members and an LA28 commission to keep campaigning — a live case study in how sports fight for the Olympic program.[3] [4]

Why does it matter?

For a martial art with many competing traditional bodies, the WKF is the sport's international competitive authority — its world titles and rankings the recognized objective record.[2] [5]

References

  1. WKF — official site. Accessed August 2026.
  2. WKF — news centre. Accessed August 2026.
  3. USA Karate — update on 2028. Accessed August 2026.
  4. Inside the Games — WKF pushes for LA28 inclusion. Accessed August 2026.
  5. Encyclopaedia Britannica — Karate. Accessed August 2026.