World Karate Federation Events Unite 4,000 Young Karatekas in Poreč

The city of Poreč has long been a traditional hub for the sport of karate. From June 24 to June 30 this year, Poreč hosts three significant youth karate events organized by the Croatian Karate Federation under the auspices of the World Karate Federation (WKF). This week-long celebration of martial arts kicks off with the WKF Youth Training Camp, continues with the WKF Youth and Para-Karate Cup, and culminates in the largest youth karate event globally, the WKF Karate 1 – Youth League.

WKF Youth Training Camp

Returning for its sixteenth edition, the WKF Youth Training Camp in Poreč features top-tier karate instructors. Young karatekas aged 10 to 20 hone their skills under the guidance of renowned experts, including the current European champion in the +84 kg category, Anđelo Kvesić, who boasts three European golds and two world bronzes, and his brother Ivan Kvesić, the world champion in the -84 kg category. The camp also features Olympic silver medalist and world kata runner-up Damian Quintero, world kata champion Ali Sofuoglu from Turkey, who also holds an Olympic bronze, and Ukrainian star Anzhelika Terliuga, the Tokyo silver medalist in the -55 kg category. Joining them is Italian Olympic champion and three-time world champion Luigi Busà. The camp concludes with speeches from WKF President Antonio Espinós and Croatian Karate Federation President Davor Cipek.

Inclusive Training Opportunities

The training camp welcomes participants from various categories: U12, U14, cadets, juniors, and U21, including karatekas with intellectual disabilities, visual impairments, and wheelchair users. The WKF Youth and Para-Karate Cup will feature a tournament for karatekas under 12 and para-karate athletes, providing a platform for inclusive competition.

WKF Karate 1 – Youth League

This year, the WKF Karate 1 – Youth League in Poreč has set a record with 4,000 competitors from 85 countries, reaffirming Istria’s status as a premier karate destination. The Youth League, an extension of the Karate 1 – Premier League, is a vital platform for the development and progression of young athletes in the sport. The Poreč event is the third of its kind in 2024, following tournaments in Fujairah (UAE) and A Coruña (Spain). Subsequent events will be held in Merida (Mexico) and Venice (Italy).

Promoting Health and Sportsmanship

These significant projects play a crucial role in promoting sports among children and young people, emphasizing the importance of physical activity during developmental years. They contribute to the health and quality of life of young athletes, instilling a lifelong habit of sportsmanship.

Join the Celebration

We invite all enthusiasts to join and support the young athletes, enjoying an unforgettable atmosphere. Entry to the WKF Karate 1 – Youth League is free for all visitors throughout the four-day event. Karate fans can find more information about WKF activities in Poreč on the Croatian Karate Federation’s website at karate.hr, as well as through their official Facebook page and Instagram profile.