WORLD KARATE COUNCIL
WKC
CONSTITUTION AND STATUTES
International Governing, Technical and Regulatory Council for Karate-Do
Draft Edition 1.0
PREAMBLE
Recognizing Karate-Do as a martial art, combat discipline, educational system, cultural heritage, and international sport;
Recognizing the diversity of Karate schools, styles, traditions, organizations, and technical systems throughout the world;
Recognizing the need for cooperation, integrity, technical excellence, athlete safety, fair competition, and mutual respect among Karate organizations;
The WORLD KARATE COUNCIL (WKC) is hereby established as an international council dedicated to the development, regulation, recognition, preservation, and promotion of Karate-Do throughout the world.
The WKC shall respect the individual identity and traditions of recognized Karate styles while establishing common international standards where appropriate.
ARTICLE 1
NAME
Section 1. Official Name
The official name of the organization shall be:
WORLD KARATE COUNCIL
Abbreviation:
WKC
Section 2. Official Description
The WKC is an international council serving as a technical, regulatory, educational, recognition, and coordination body for Karate-Do.
ARTICLE 2
NATURE AND STATUS
Section 1
The WKC shall operate as a non-profit international organization to the extent permitted by the laws of its jurisdiction of registration.
Section 2
The WKC may establish:
- National Councils;
- Continental Councils;
- Technical Commissions;
- Style Councils;
- Arbitration and Disciplinary Panels;
- Referee and Judge Commissions;
- Coaching Commissions;
- Medical and Safety Commissions;
- Athlete Commissions;
- Education and Research Committees.
Section 3
The WKC shall maintain independence from individual commercial interests, political organizations, and personal affiliations.
ARTICLE 3
PURPOSE
The principal purposes of the WKC shall be:
- To promote Karate-Do internationally;
- To preserve authentic Karate traditions;
- To support cooperation among different Karate styles;
- To establish international technical standards;
- To develop international competition regulations;
- To recognize qualified Karate organizations;
- To establish standards for instructors, coaches, referees, and judges;
- To promote athlete safety;
- To encourage ethical conduct;
- To promote education and research;
- To support youth development;
- To support women’s participation in Karate;
- To develop Para-Karate;
- To combat discrimination;
- To promote clean sport;
- To encourage international exchange between Karate organizations.
ARTICLE 4
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
The WKC shall be governed by the following principles:
1. Respect
Respect for instructors, athletes, officials, opponents, organizations, traditions, and cultures.
2. Integrity
Honesty, transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct.
3. Unity
Cooperation among different Karate styles without eliminating their individual identities.
4. Excellence
Continuous improvement in technical, educational, competitive, and organizational standards.
5. Safety
Protection of athletes shall be a fundamental responsibility of every WKC event.
6. Fairness
All qualified participants shall receive fair and impartial treatment.
7. Non-Discrimination
No person shall be discriminated against on the basis of nationality, gender, age, disability, or other protected status, subject to legitimate sporting classifications.
ARTICLE 5
KARATE STYLES
The WKC recognizes the historical and technical diversity of Karate-Do.
Recognized styles may include, but are not limited to:
- Shotokan;
- Goju-Ryu;
- Shito-Ryu;
- Wado-Ryu;
- Shorin-Ryu;
- Uechi-Ryu;
- Kyokushin;
- Shinkyokushin;
- Ashihara;
- Enshin;
- Isshin-Ryu;
- Shotokai;
- and other recognized Karate schools and branches.
Recognition of a style shall not constitute ownership of that style.
The WKC shall respect the technical and historical identity of each recognized school.
ARTICLE 6
STYLE COUNCIL
The WKC shall establish a:
WORLD KARATE STYLE COUNCIL
The Style Council shall:
- Preserve Karate traditions;
- Facilitate communication between styles;
- Review applications for style recognition;
- Maintain a register of recognized styles;
- Protect historical and technical authenticity;
- Advise the Executive Council on technical matters;
- Promote international seminars and exchanges.
No recognized style shall be required to abandon its traditional curriculum as a condition of recognition.
ARTICLE 7
GOVERNING ORGANS
The principal organs of the WKC shall be:
- World Congress;
- Executive Council;
- President;
- Vice Presidents;
- Secretary General;
- Treasurer;
- Technical Commission;
- Style Council;
- Referee and Judge Commission;
- Coaching and Education Commission;
- Medical and Safety Commission;
- Athletes’ Commission;
- Youth Commission;
- Women’s Commission;
- Para-Karate Commission;
- Disciplinary Commission;
- Ethics Commission;
- Arbitration Panel;
- Anti-Doping and Clean Sport Commission;
- Continental Councils;
- National Councils.
ARTICLE 8
WORLD CONGRESS
The World Congress shall be the supreme legislative authority of the WKC.
Powers of the World Congress
The Congress shall:
- Approve and amend the Statutes;
- Elect the President;
- Elect members of the Executive Council;
- Approve strategic policies;
- Approve annual reports;
- Approve financial reports;
- Establish major commissions;
- Determine membership policy;
- Approve major regulatory changes;
- Decide on dissolution of the organization where legally applicable.
ARTICLE 9
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
The Executive Council shall administer the affairs of the WKC between Congress sessions.
It shall:
- Implement Congress decisions;
- Supervise international programs;
- Approve commissions;
- Manage international relations;
- Supervise financial administration;
- Protect the integrity of WKC activities;
- Approve international events;
- Establish working groups when necessary.
ARTICLE 10
PRESIDENT
The President shall be the principal representative of the WKC.
The President shall:
- Preside over Congress;
- Preside over the Executive Council;
- Represent the WKC internationally;
- Ensure implementation of the Statutes;
- Coordinate major international activities;
- Protect the independence and integrity of the Council.
The President shall not exercise authority contrary to the Statutes or decisions of the World Congress.
ARTICLE 11
SECRETARY GENERAL
The Secretary General shall be responsible for the administration of the WKC.
Responsibilities include:
- Official correspondence;
- Records;
- Membership administration;
- Congress documentation;
- Meeting minutes;
- International communications;
- Administrative coordination.
ARTICLE 12
TREASURER
The Treasurer shall oversee financial administration.
Responsibilities include:
- Financial records;
- Annual budgets;
- Financial reports;
- Authorized payments;
- Internal financial controls;
- Preparation of accounts for independent review or audit where required.
ARTICLE 13
MEMBERSHIP
Membership categories may include:
A. National Member
A recognized national Karate organization.
B. Continental Member
A recognized continental Karate organization.
C. Style Member
A recognized Karate style organization.
D. Club Member
An approved Karate club or academy.
E. Individual Member
A qualified instructor, referee, coach, athlete, technical expert, or other individual.
F. Honorary Member
An individual recognized for exceptional contribution to Karate.
ARTICLE 14
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Applicants shall:
- Respect the WKC Statutes;
- Respect applicable laws;
- Provide accurate organizational information;
- Maintain ethical standards;
- Respect athlete safety;
- Avoid discrimination;
- Respect official WKC regulations.
Membership may be suspended or terminated for serious violations of WKC regulations.
ARTICLE 15
NATIONAL COUNCILS
The WKC may recognize National Karate Councils.
A National Council may coordinate:
- National championships;
- Referee education;
- Instructor education;
- Style development;
- Athlete registration;
- International representation;
- WKC programs within its territory.
National Councils shall operate in accordance with the laws of their country and WKC regulations.
ARTICLE 16
CONTINENTAL COUNCILS
The WKC may establish Continental Councils for:
- Asia;
- Europe;
- Africa;
- North America;
- South America;
- Oceania;
- and other regions as approved.
Continental Councils shall coordinate WKC activities within their respective regions.
ARTICLE 17
TECHNICAL COMMISSION
The Technical Commission shall be responsible for:
- Technical standards;
- Karate curriculum development;
- Competition rules;
- Technical research;
- Seminar standards;
- Technical certification;
- Evaluation of new technical systems.
ARTICLE 18
COMPETITION DISCIPLINES
The WKC may recognize and regulate multiple competition disciplines, including:
Traditional Karate
Kata
Kumite
Full Contact Karate
Karate Combat
Self-Defense
Bunkai
Team Competition
Para-Karate
Youth Karate
Veterans Karate
Additional disciplines may be recognized by the Technical Commission and approved by the Executive Council.
ARTICLE 19
COMPETITION RULES
The WKC shall maintain separate technical regulations for each competition discipline.
Competition rules shall define:
- Competition area;
- Equipment;
- Weight categories;
- Age categories;
- Match duration;
- Scoring;
- Legal techniques;
- Prohibited techniques;
- Referee procedures;
- Medical procedures;
- Appeals;
- Disciplinary procedures.
ARTICLE 20
REFEREE AND JUDGE COMMISSION
The Referee and Judge Commission shall:
- Establish international judging standards;
- Conduct referee examinations;
- Certify international officials;
- Maintain referee rankings;
- Organize seminars;
- Monitor judging quality;
- Investigate technical complaints;
- Recommend disciplinary action when appropriate.
Suggested certification levels may include:
- National Judge;
- Continental Judge;
- International Judge;
- International Referee;
- World Referee.
ARTICLE 21
COACHING AND EDUCATION COMMISSION
The WKC shall establish international educational standards for:
- Instructors;
- Coaches;
- Examiners;
- Seminar leaders;
- Technical directors.
Certification shall be based on objective criteria, documented experience, technical competence, ethical standards, and appropriate examinations.
ARTICLE 22
DAN AND GRADING RECOGNITION
The WKC may establish an international recognition system for Karate grades.
Possible grades include:
- Kyu;
- 1st Dan;
- 2nd Dan;
- 3rd Dan;
- 4th Dan;
- 5th Dan;
- 6th Dan;
- 7th Dan;
- 8th Dan;
- 9th Dan;
- 10th Dan.
The WKC shall respect legitimate grading systems established by recognized Karate styles.
Recognition shall not automatically invalidate or replace the grading authority of the athlete’s original style.
ARTICLE 23
ATHLETES’ COMMISSION
The Athletes’ Commission shall represent athlete interests.
Its responsibilities include:
- Athlete welfare;
- Competition conditions;
- Safety;
- Fair treatment;
- Anti-discrimination;
- Athlete feedback;
- Participation in policy development.
Athletes shall have appropriate representation within WKC governance.
ARTICLE 24
MEDICAL AND SAFETY COMMISSION
The Medical and Safety Commission shall establish:
- Competition medical standards;
- Athlete examination requirements;
- Injury protocols;
- Return-to-competition procedures;
- Emergency procedures;
- Safety standards;
- Medical personnel requirements.
The medical authority shall have independent power to stop competition when necessary to protect an athlete.
ARTICLE 25
YOUTH AND WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT
The WKC shall actively promote:
- Children’s Karate;
- Youth development;
- Women’s Karate;
- Women’s leadership;
- Safe training environments;
- Educational programs.
Special rules shall be established for minors to provide appropriate protection.
ARTICLE 26
PARA-KARATE
The WKC shall support the development of Para-Karate.
Competition classifications shall be established according to functional sporting criteria and applicable international standards.
The WKC shall seek to provide fair opportunities for athletes with disabilities.
ARTICLE 27
ETHICS
All WKC members shall uphold:
- Honesty;
- Respect;
- Integrity;
- Fair play;
- Accountability;
- Professional conduct.
The following may constitute ethical violations:
- Corruption;
- Bribery;
- Match manipulation;
- Discrimination;
- Harassment;
- Abuse;
- Fraud;
- Falsification of credentials;
- Misuse of WKC authority.
ARTICLE 28
ATHLETE PROTECTION
The WKC shall maintain policies addressing:
- Abuse;
- Harassment;
- Bullying;
- Exploitation;
- Sexual misconduct;
- Violence outside legitimate competition;
- Retaliation against individuals who report misconduct.
All members have a responsibility to protect vulnerable athletes.
ARTICLE 29
CLEAN SPORT
The WKC shall support clean sport and may adopt recognized international anti-doping standards.
Athletes, coaches, officials and organizations shall comply with applicable anti-doping rules.
ARTICLE 30
DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION
The Disciplinary Commission shall investigate alleged violations of WKC regulations.
Possible sanctions include:
- Warning;
- Reprimand;
- Fine where legally permitted;
- Suspension;
- Removal from office;
- Competition suspension;
- Membership suspension;
- Expulsion.
All disciplinary proceedings shall respect procedural fairness.
ARTICLE 31
APPEALS AND ARBITRATION
Members subject to disciplinary decisions shall have the right to appeal according to WKC procedures.
The WKC may establish an independent Arbitration Panel to hear appeals and disputes.
Where legally appropriate, disputes may be referred to an agreed external arbitration mechanism.
ARTICLE 32
FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES
The WKC shall maintain:
- Transparent accounting;
- Annual financial reporting;
- Appropriate internal controls;
- Separation of financial authority;
- Conflict-of-interest procedures.
WKC funds shall be used solely for legitimate organizational purposes.
ARTICLE 33
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Any WKC official with a personal, financial, professional, or organizational conflict of interest shall disclose that conflict.
The official may be required to abstain from discussion or voting on the relevant matter.
ARTICLE 34
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
The WKC may organize or sanction:
- World Championships;
- Continental Championships;
- World Cups;
- International Opens;
- Technical Championships;
- Kata Championships;
- Kumite Championships;
- Karate Combat events;
- International seminars;
- Instructor conferences;
- Referee conferences.
ARTICLE 35
WORLD KARATE CHAMPIONSHIP
The official world championship may be known as:
WKC WORLD KARATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Separate championships may be organized for:
- Kata;
- Kumite;
- Full Contact;
- Karate Combat;
- Para-Karate;
- Youth;
- Veterans;
- Team competition.
ARTICLE 36
OFFICIAL RECOGNITION
The WKC may issue official recognition for:
- Karate organizations;
- Styles;
- Dojos;
- Instructors;
- Coaches;
- Referees;
- Judges;
- Examiners;
- Technical experts;
- Athletes.
Recognition shall be based on documented qualifications and objective criteria.
ARTICLE 37
HONORARY TITLES
The WKC may confer honorary titles for exceptional contribution to Karate-Do.
Such titles may include:
- Honorary Master;
- International Karate Ambassador;
- Distinguished Technical Expert;
- Lifetime Achievement Award;
- Honorary Council Member.
Honorary titles shall not automatically constitute technical rank unless separately recognized through the WKC grading system.
ARTICLE 38
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
The name, logo, emblem, marks, publications, certificates, championship titles, and official symbols of the WKC shall be protected in accordance with applicable law.
No member may commercially exploit WKC intellectual property without authorization.
ARTICLE 39
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES
The official working language of the WKC shall be English.
The Council may publish official documents in additional languages.
Where translations conflict, the legally designated controlling version shall prevail.
ARTICLE 40
AMENDMENTS
These Statutes may be amended by the World Congress.
Proposed amendments shall be submitted within the period established by the Congress procedures.
An amendment shall become effective upon approval by the required voting majority, unless another effective date is specified.
ARTICLE 41
DISSOLUTION
The WKC may be dissolved only by a decision of the World Congress in accordance with applicable law.
Upon dissolution, remaining assets shall be transferred or distributed according to:
- Applicable law;
- The organization’s registered legal documents;
- The decision of the World Congress.
No member shall personally receive organizational assets except where legally required.
ARTICLE 42
INTERPRETATION
In cases of uncertainty concerning the interpretation of these Statutes, the Executive Council may issue an interim interpretation.
Such interpretation shall remain subject to review and confirmation by the World Congress.
ARTICLE 43
SUPREMACY OF THE STATUTES
These Statutes constitute the fundamental governing document of the WKC.
All regulations, policies, commissions, committees, and decisions of the WKC shall comply with these Statutes.
Where a conflict exists, these Statutes shall prevail unless applicable law requires otherwise.
ARTICLE 44
OFFICIAL MOTTO
The official WKC motto shall be:
ONE KARATE — MANY STYLES — ONE COUNCIL
Alternative:
UNITY • RESPECT • EXCELLENCE
ARTICLE 45
FINAL DECLARATION
The World Karate Council is founded upon the principle that Karate-Do can remain diverse in style while united in spirit.
The WKC shall seek to bring together traditional Karate, modern sport Karate, full-contact Karate, Karate Combat, instructors, athletes, referees, organizations, and schools under a framework of mutual respect, technical excellence, safety, fairness, and international cooperation.
The WKC recognizes that the strength of Karate lies not in eliminating its differences, but in preserving its heritage while creating opportunities for cooperation and responsible development.
ONE KARATE
MANY STYLES
ONE COUNCIL
WORLD KARATE COUNCIL — WKC
