The Olympic Agenda 2020 review process was high on the agenda as Takeda met with WKF President Antonio Espinós, Japan Karate Federation President Takashi Sasagawa and WKF Executive Committee member Toshihisa Nagura, following the Premier League event that took place in Okinawa recently.

During the meeting, Takeda was assured that karate is ready to make its Olympic Games debut and the sport can guarantee a high level of competition in 2020.

Espinós and Sasagawa stressed that with facilities already in place and the support for karate in the country of its origin, the possible inclusion of the sport for Tokyo 2020 would be a hugely symbolic moment.

Karate had launched a third successive Olympic bid - costing the sport €400,000 (£340,000/$553,000) - for Tokyo, but it failed to even make the shortlist for 2020 which eventually saw wrestling controversially retained ahead of baseball and softball, and squash at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Buenos Aires last year.

In 2005, after baseball and softball had been dropped, karate and squash both narrowly failed to secure the two-thirds majority necessary at the IOC Session in Singapore to be included on the programme for London 2012.

Then, at the 2009 IOC Session in Copenhagen, karate was beaten by golf and rugby sevens, which had been nominated for Rio 2016 by the Executive Board.

Tokyo 2020 vice-President Tsunekazu Takeda (left) has been assured by WKF President Antonio Espinós (centre) and JKF President Takashi Sasagawa that karate would be a success at the 2020 Olympic Games ©WKF



Thomas Bach was elected Jacque Rogge's replacement as IOC President in Buenos Aires and has launched an Agenda 2020 review process.

The German is open to the idea of expanding the number of sports able to join the Olympic programme, which has given fresh hopes to the likes of karate and baseball and softball of being included for Tokyo 2020.

Any potential additions to the programme will be decided at the IOC Extraordinary Session in Monte Carlo on December 6 and 7.

"The WKF is looking forward to the IOC session and the 2020 Olympic Agenda in Monaco in the month of December," said Espinós following the meeting.

"It is our belief that if more flexibility is provided concerning the Olympic programme, it will be a significant opportunity for the sport of karate to finally achieve its inclusion in the Olympic programme.

"It is in this sense also that the WKF further develops its already strong relationships with major leaders of the Olympic Movement."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
September 2014: Japan dominate in Okinawa with 10 gold medals at WKF Premier League event
August 2014: Karate returns to birthplace with Premier League event in Okinawa
July 2014: Big changes to Olympic sports programme on way after Agenda 2020 Summit
October 2013: Exclusive: Karate vows to keep trying to get in Olympics despite frustration with process
January 2013: Exclusive: There is room at Olympics for karate alongside other combat sports claims President