Like many other sports, karate has been boosted by the plans, which saw the 28-sport cap on the programme lifted, although the practical repercussions with regard to Tokyo 2020 are not yet clear. 

But the World Karate Federation (WKF), in coordination with the Japan Karate Federation (JKF), has already stepped up its campaign, gaining support from various local groups, including the Nippon Budo-kan and Japan Budo Association.

They are now working hard to lobby the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Promotion of the Tokyo Olympics 2020, which has been set up with more than 110 members from both Houses of Parliament.

The success of events this year, such as the World Championships in Bremen, and the WKF Premier League meeting in Istanbul, will have boosted karate's Olympic claim ©WKF



The petition, submitted via the website change.org and signed by WKF President Antonio Espinós and JKF counterpart Takashi Sasagawa, has at time of writing gained more than 13,000 signatures.

"In order to publicise the overwhelming wave of passionate vocal support for karate to the Olympics to the world, as well as in Japan", it urges, "we would like to ask your full support for and cooperation with this online signature-collecting campaign".

The sports seen as most likely to be added to the programme in Tokyo is baseball and softball, due to their huge popularity in Japan, although karate, along with the likes of squash and skateboarding, are others with serious aspirations.

No timeline has yet been set as to when new sports will be added and confirmed, although it is though possible a decision could be announced during the next IOC Session, in Kuala Lumpur next July.

Details on how to sign karate's petition are available here.

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