Despite prejudices and certain reserves regarding this action, this young people supported by their coaches and parents , were encouraged to participate and to be part of true competitive joy, happiness and friendship in this unique competition.
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I started karate in 1985 in Algeria, at the age of 8 years.
I participated in several competitions locally and nationally, in kata and kumite and I got my black belt in 1992. In 1997, after an accident I find myself in a wheelchair, paraplegic lower limbs touched the 11th and 12th vertebrae (D11-D12) and I stopped my practice of karate.
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The championship for handicapped people of the Barclays Championship Foundation took place in San Sebastian on the 12th December 2009. The championship was organised by club of Bera Bera San Sebastian Donostia in cooperation with the Federation of sport Guipuzcoana.
Rudolfo Suarez acted prudently together with Paulino Cabanas, Jose Luis Cuberias, Andoni Lopez, Carlos Rodriguez and Rafael Callego as chairman referees of the championships which were exclusively kata competitions. The participants came from Salamanca, Avila, Bordeauux, Leon, Majorca, Asturias, Bejar, Madrid, Alicante, Ortuella, Barakaldo, Aretxabaleta, Renteria and Donostia-San Sebastien.
Interview with WKF Präsident Antonio Espinos | 6/10/2009
Antonio Espinos: "The Olympics are very important for a sport like karate; it combines all the values we represent. One of the strong points of karate is its social value."
Seven sports are campaigning to join the Olympic program for the 2016 Games, each presenting their case next week to the IOC Executive Board in Lausanne. Baseball, golf, karate, roller sports, rugby, softball and squash are the candidates. In this installment of our series on each of the sports, World Karate Federation President Antonio Espinos talks about karate and the Olympics.
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Bonn - Ernes Erko Kalac, chief of WKF´s division „Karate for handicapped Persons" of the World Karate Federation (WKF) met sports executive Grevemberg of the International Paralympic Commitee for a first conversation(IPC). There they decided that from 2009 on, Karate would be accredited by IPC
Tokio was scene oft the 19th World Congress of WKF alongside the proceeding World Senior Championship. For Ernes Erko Kalac this congress became a great success. Designated delegate of the WKF for handicapped persons he presented his concept about admission of Karate into Paralympics 2012 to the presidents of all 102 participating countries.
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On Saturday the 20th September took place in the club "Lotus" of Eppertshausen (Germany) the Festival "Integration through Sport", organised by Erko Kakac, founder of the club "Lotus" as well as Integration Ambassador of the DOSB (Deutsche Olympische Sport Bund) and Chairman of the WKF Commission for Handiccapped. The event counted with the presence, between others, of the German Minister of Justice Mrs. Brigitte Zypries, the President of the DOSB and IOC Vice-president Mr. Thomas Bach. Also the WKF President Mr. Antonio Espinós attended the event, accompanied by the President of DKV Mr. Roland Hantsche and Vice-president Mr. Wolfgang Weigert.
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Erfurt - There were about 2,000 enthusiastic viewers who could gaze at these outstanding achievements in four different categories. Categories were divided into mental disability, Karate for wheelchair drivers, persons with visual impairment, and Karatekas who had been amputated their lower legs. Enthusiasm was great, not only on the referees´ but also on the DKV officials´ side.
Ernes Erko Kalac had been invited by the IPC (International Paralympic Commitee), representing the WKF and the DKV. There he met Sir Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Commitee (IPC) and introduced his concept „Karate for Handicapped Persons". In the course of the discussion Sir Philip Craven spread his arms and shouted out exaltedly: "Karate is sincerely welcome at the Paralympic Family. We´d love to give you space here."
