ITKF Asia–Oceania Tour 2025 establishes a new strategic axis for Traditional Karate worldwide

Unprecedented initiative by ITKF Global and ITKF Asia–Oceania connects countries, leaders, and practitioners in an international journey of technical excellence, institutional strengthening, and preservation of the essential values of Traditional Karate.

By Paulo Pinto / Global Sports
Curitiba, December 25, 2025

The International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF Global), in partnership with ITKF Asia–Oceania, is leading in 2025 a historically significant initiative that is already resonating across the global Traditional Karate community: the ITKF Asia–Oceania Tour. More than a sequence of technical seminars, the initiative has established itself as a journey of discipline, education, institutional unity, and preservation of the essential values of Traditional Karate.

The ITKF Asia–Oceania Tour also benefits from the active support and direct participation of national federations across the region, notably ITKF Uzbekistan, ITKF India, NFK–India, and ITKF Indonesia, which have played a decisive role in organization, regional mobilization, and institutional strengthening of the initiative.

Officials from Russia, India, Armenia and Uzbekistan take part in the ITKF Technical Course in Tashkent © ITKF Global

Launched on November 20, 2025, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the tour continues its course across the Asian continent, with its conclusion scheduled to take place in India between December 29 and 30. The event originally planned for Bali, Indonesia, from December 18 to 21, had to be postponed to February 2026 due to extreme weather conditions. Tropical Cyclone Seed 93S caused heavy rainfall, strong winds, and severe flooding in areas such as Kuta, Seminyak, and Denpasar, making the safe execution of activities impossible at that time.

Despite these adverse circumstances, the tour has remained faithful to its original purpose: bringing together practitioners from across the Asia–Oceania region to train, learn, and evolve under the guidance of ITKF’s senior leadership, strengthening institutional ties and promoting technical excellence.

Gilberto Gaertner and Ibrahim Al-Bakr at the official opening of the tournament in Tashkent, marking the beginning of the ITKF Asia–Oceania Tour © ITKF Global

The Indonesia seminar, previously postponed due to extreme weather conditions, now has a confirmed new date and will take place in Bali from February 14 to 17, 2026. The event will maintain its planned format, including a technical seminar and competition, reaffirming the strategic importance of the Indonesian stage within the ITKF Asia–Oceania Tour.

Gilberto Gaertner alongside Mr. Sukhrat during activities of the technical seminar in Tashkent © ITKF Global

According to Sensei Ibrahim Al-Bakr, President of ITKF Asia–Oceania and member of the ITKF Council, the initiative represents an unprecedented movement of regional integration.

“This tour is bringing together karate practitioners from different countries to share knowledge, deepen technical training, and strengthen unity in Traditional Karate under the direct guidance of ITKF Global’s international leadership.”

The ITKF Asia–Oceania Tour 2025 was officially approved by the ITKF Council and opened to participation from all countries in the region, inviting practitioners committed to Traditional Karate to join a shared path of mutual respect, technical development, and preservation of martial principles.

Officials from Uzbekistan, ITKF Asia, India and Armenia during activities of the ITKF Asia–Oceania Tour © ITKF Global

International Leadership and High-Level Technical Content

Leading this journey are three central figures within the global ITKF structure: Professor Dr. Gilberto Gaertner, President of the ITKF Council and leader of ITKF Global; Sensei Ibrahim Al-Bakr, President of ITKF Asia–Oceania, responsible for the expansion and institutional consolidation of the federation in the region; and Sensei Suren Matevosian, Technical Director of ITKF Asia–Oceania, internationally recognized for a lifetime of contribution to technical excellence in martial arts.

Tashkent hosts the Asian Tournament © ITKF Global

Together, they conduct advanced technical seminars, high-level training sessions, and development programs designed to elevate the physical, technical, mental, and spiritual dimensions of Traditional Karate simultaneously. Each stage of the tour reinforces fundamental principles of the discipline, such as discipline, respect, perseverance, self-control, harmony between mind and body, and the continuous pursuit of personal mastery.

Strategic Expansion of ITKF in Asia

In the assessment of Professor Dr. Gilberto Gaertner, Chairman of ITKF Global, the tour represents a strategic milestone that will reshape the institutional presence of Traditional Karate across Asia and Oceania.

“The most relevant aspect of this initiative is the consistent expansion of ITKF throughout the Asian continent. In Uzbekistan, in Tashkent, we conducted a two-day technical course and a competition of equal duration. Now, in India, we are advancing to an event of even greater scale,” he explained.

Fellowship dinner brings together officials from Palestine, Russia, India, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, strengthening institutional dialogue © ITKF Global

According to Gaertner, the Indian stage includes the 3rd National Karate Championship of India, held at the Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi, as well as a two-day technical course scheduled for December 27 and 28. The event is expected to gather more than 3,000 participants, in addition to numerous sports and political authorities from across the country.

“It will be a comprehensive course covering examinations from first to fourth degree, in accordance with the new ITKF examination program. In addition to kihon, we will work on the new waza series, including self-defense, and advance into kumite and other technical applications. On December 29 and 30, the program concludes with the National Championship,” he detailed.

Referees and officials at the opening of the Asian Tournament © ITKF Global

The chairman also highlighted the institutional impact of ITKF’s presence within India’s highly plural sports environment.

“India has a unified platform that brings together different karate schools and styles. Our participation in this national event represents a strategic occupation of this space, introducing Traditional Karate with strength, technical quality, and institutional legitimacy, within an environment that includes athletes, physical education institutions, and the Ministry of Sport itself,” he stated.

Meeting with officials strengthens the institutional alignment of the ITKF Asia–Oceania Tour © ITKF Global

Continuity and Consolidation

Gaertner emphasized that the tour does not conclude in India. The Indonesia event, rescheduled for February 14 to 17, 2026, will maintain the same format—technical course, examinations, and competition—completing a cycle of three major educational and competitive initiatives across the Asia–Oceania region.

“The overarching goal is clear: to expand and strengthen ITKF throughout the Asian continent, creating solid foundations for the growth of Traditional Karate with identity, technical rigor, and fidelity to its essential values,” concluded the President of ITKF Global.