Moscow hosts decisive meeting for the future of Traditional Karate in Russia

Under the leadership of Gilberto Gaertner, the meeting advances the institutional organization of the discipline and is accompanied by a technical seminar gathering around 100 black belts.

By Paulo Pinto / Budo Magazine
Curitiba / Brazil, April 12, 2026

Moscow hosted an official meeting considered decisive for the organization of Traditional Karate in the country, bringing together key leaders under the coordination of shihan hachi-dan (8th dan) Gilberto Gaertner, Chairman of ITKF Global.

The meeting, held at the Yudino Park Hotel, focused on the structuring and formalization of Traditional Karate in Russia, aiming at the establishment of a national entity aligned with the technical, ethical, and institutional principles of ITKF Global.

The meeting was attended by sensei Antón Chernousov, Gevorg Sargsyan, and Roman Generalov, who was accompanied by his son. The presence of these Russian leaders marked an important step forward in the dialogue between different groups within the discipline in the country.

During the meeting, discussions focused on the pathways to consolidating a unified and recognized structure capable of representing Russian Traditional Karate within the international ITKF Global system.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Gaertner set a six-month deadline for the formal establishment of the Russian Confederation of Traditional Karate, during which the parties are expected to advance in institutional organization, governance definition, and technical alignment.

A new phase for Traditional Karate in Russia

The convergence of political articulation and technical development positions Russia as one of the main growth hubs for Traditional Karate on the international stage.

For Professor Gilberto Gaertner, the moment is strategic: “We are facing a concrete opportunity to structure Traditional Karate in Russia on a solid foundation, aligned with ITKF principles. This is a country with a strong tradition in martial arts practice and great development potential. Our commitment is to ensure that this growth takes place with unity, organization, and fidelity to the essence of the discipline.”

Gevorg Sargsyan, Gilberto Gaertner, Roman Generalov, Generalov Junior e Antón Chernousov celebrate a new moment for ITKF Global in Russia © Archive

The initiative is seen as a decisive movement to integrate Russian Traditional Karate in a structured manner into the international context, strengthening not only the discipline within the country but also the global ITKF system.

Technical development and strengthening

In parallel with the institutional agenda, shihan Gilberto Gaertner is conducting an international ITKF Global technical seminar in Moscow, bringing together approximately 100 Russian black belts in activities focused on technical improvement and the standardization of Traditional Karate fundamentals.

The initiative, organized by the Russian Karate Federation, reinforces the entity’s commitment not only to institutional organization but also to the continuous education and technical qualification of practitioners — key elements for the sustainable development of the discipline.