1. A Rocky Start for the World Karate Federation
The formation of the World Karate Federation was a hallmark in the history of karate and no easy task. Japanese masters introduced karate to many countries around 1950. Most of the masters belonged to the Japanese Karate Association (JKA). Their interests were in teaching, not in organization. However, a student of M. Henry Plee, who taught hundreds of black belts, had different ideas about organizing national and international karate associations. Jacques Delcourt became president of French Karate in 1961.
2. The European Connection
Delcourt invited 7 federations from Europe to the first International Karate Event. In 1963 the first European Karate Congress (EKC) met to discuss unification. However, bringing two different styles of martial arts together seemed impossible. Judo federations headed up many of the karate associations at this time, and the question of how to mesh and referee matches was daunting. Determined, Delcourt assembled the second EKC in 1964. Representatives from Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Italy and Spain attended and decided it was time to elect a directing board.
3. Getting Down to Organizing
When the congress met in 1964, they began truly organizing. They started a newsletter, an international referee course and international matches. Japanese experts also began teaching courses. Three new countries joined the organization in 1965: Austria, Yugoslavia and Portugal. The priority on the agenda was statutes, and M. Henry Plee was present as technical adviser, along with four other Japanese experts. This is when Delcourt declared the creation of the European Karate Union (EKU). The first European Championships occurred in 1966 in Paris with 300 spectators and live television.
4. Differences in Philosophy Continue
Following the first European Championships, the directors met. They disagreed about the toughness of the matches, facial injuries and refereeing. This disharmony, especially with regard to refereeing would continue for a few years. The first referee course took place in 1967, the same year the directors decided it was time to appoint a treasurer and controllers. The rules, which are still in place today with the World Karate Federation (WKF), were born this year. Each team is comprised of 5 competitors and 2 reserves. Eventually, the directors appointed a technical committee which determined the rules and courses for referees. In addition, the committee decided to use that 4 corner judges and 1 referee, which the WKF still uses today.
5. World Karate Federation Formed
In 1970 directors drafted the statutes for The World Karate Federation. The WKF is the only karate organization recognized by The International Olympic Committee.
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