The World Karate Federation has moved its headquarters to a new address in Madrid ©WKF

The World Karate Federation (WKF) has moved its headquarters to a new address in Madrid.

The world governing body remains based in Spain’s capital, but has relocated from C/Boix y Morer, 15, BºB to Avda. de Filipinas 50, Esc. 2, 1ºA.

It comes as the 2016 World Championships get underway with the first day of action here in Austrian city Linz today. 

The name of the first international organisation representing the sport of karate was changed to the World Karate Federation on December 20, 1992.

It followed the integration of several new organisations during the 1990s, which saw the World Union of Karate Do Organizations' (WUKO) membership increase to 150 National Federations.

The World Karate Federation has relocated to Avda. de Filipinas 50, Esc. 2, 1ºA ©WKF/Facebook
The World Karate Federation has relocated to Avda. de Filipinas 50, Esc. 2, 1ºA ©WKF/Facebook

It was considered a new name was needed that would more accurately reflect the size and scope of the organisation.

The International Olympic Committee officially recognised the WKF as the sole governing body for the sport of karate in 1999.

Karate was one of five additional sports added to the Olympic programme for the Tokyo 2020 Games, along with baseball/softball, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing. 

It was included predominantly due to its popularity in Japan.