Cairo celebrates the opening of the 23rd ITKF Global World Championship with renewal, tradition and a message of inclusion

With representatives from 46 countries, according to the Egyptian press, the ceremony at Cairo International Stadium brings together sporting leaders, honours key figures and celebrates the values of traditional karate in a landmark edition for Egypt and ITKF Global.

By Paulo Pinto / Global Sports
Curitiba / Brazil, 30 October 2026

Cairo, the capital of Egypt and one of the great historic centres of world civilisation, hosted the official opening ceremony of the 23rd Traditional Karate World Championship of the International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF Global) on Wednesday evening, 28 October. Held in the indoor arena at Cairo International Stadium, the ceremony brought together government officials, sports leaders and international delegations, marking the first time the federation’s World Championship has been held in Egypt.

Ramy El-Mekawy honours Dr Mohamed El-Kordi, representing Minister of Youth and Sports Gohar Nabil, and Yasser Idris, President of the Egyptian Olympic Committee, at the opening of the ITKF Global World Championship © Ahmed Mazen

According to local press reports, the international gathering involves representatives from 46 countries and approximately 2,000 participants across the full range of sporting activities and events associated with the competition. The published figures do not provide a separate total for athletes entered exclusively in the ITKF World Championship.

The Egyptian team stands for the national anthem during the opening ceremony © Ahmed Mazen

The opening featured a parade of national delegations, artistic and cultural performances, and recognition of the work carried out by the organisations responsible for staging the event. The ceremony also highlighted the support of the Egyptian authorities for ITKF Global’s leading international event.

Gilberto Gaertner receives an award from the Egyptian Olympic Committee, presented by Yasser Idris © Ahmed Mazen

Officials attend the opening ceremony

Among those present were Yasser Idris, President of the Egyptian Olympic Committee, and Dr Mohamed El-Kordi, a senior official in the sports sector of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, who officially represented Minister Gohar Nabil.

The Polish and Brazilian national teams during the opening ceremony © Ahmed Mazen

The international leadership was represented by Gilberto Gaertner, Chairman of ITKF Global; Ramy El-Mekawy, President of the Egyptian and African traditional karate federations and a member of the ITKF Board of Directors; and Portugal’s Fernando Manuel Alves Maia da Silva, who was elected to lead the federation for a term beginning on 1 January 2027.

A photomontage captures moments from the Egyptian ballet performance at the opening ceremony © Ahmed Mazen

The joint presence of Gaertner and Fernando da Silva also symbolised the ITKF’s institutional transition as it concludes a period of administrative reorganisation and prepares to begin a new phase of international development based in Europe.

ITKF Global Chairman-elect Fernando da Silva addresses the opening of the Cairo World Championship ahead of taking office on 1 January 2027 © Ahmed Mazen

One of the ceremony’s highlights came when Yasser Idris presented Gilberto Gaertner with an official award from the Egyptian Olympic Committee in recognition of ITKF Global’s institutional work. On the same occasion, Ramy El-Mekawy honoured the Olympic Committee President for his support for sports federations.

A photomontage captures moments from the Egyptian ballet performance at the opening ceremony © Ahmed Mazen

In remarks reported by Egyptian media, Yasser Idris expressed his country’s pleasure at hosting the World Championship and emphasised Egypt’s ability to stage major international competitions. He also reaffirmed the Egyptian Olympic Committee’s commitment to strengthening the various sports.

Gilberto Gaertner receives an award from the Egyptian Olympic Committee, alongside Fernando da Silva, Ramy El-Mekawy, Mohamed El-Kordi and Yasser Idris © Ahmed Mazen

Ramy El-Mekawy, in turn, described the World Championship as an opportunity to demonstrate Egypt’s organisational capabilities and raise its international profile in traditional karate. The President of the host federation offered particular thanks for the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Egyptian Olympic Committee, whose contributions helped make the competition possible.

Delegations line up during the ITKF Global World Championship opening ceremony © Ahmed Mazen

From the banks of the Nile, a message to the world

Beyond the sporting celebration, the ceremony was designed to convey to visitors a message of hospitality, friendship and respect across cultures.

In the official welcome message prepared for the opening, the organisers stressed that Egypt was welcoming not only athletes and delegations, but people of different nationalities brought together by shared principles.

“We Egyptians have a very special way of welcoming our guests: we open the doors of our homes and, above all, the doors of our hearts.”

The message evoked Egypt’s ancient history, the civilisation of the pharaohs, the pyramids and the River Nile, drawing a connection between the host country’s cultural wealth and the philosophical tradition of the martial art developed and spread internationally by Hidetaka Nishiyama.

Ramy El-Mekawy, President of the Egyptian and African traditional karate federations, addresses the opening ceremony © Ahmed Mazen

It paid particular attention to karate’s role in personal development, recalling that a practitioner’s true worth extends beyond competitive results.

“Traditional karate teaches us that an athlete’s true greatness is not measured solely by the medals they win. It is measured by the character they build, the respect they show and their ability to surpass themselves.”

The Brazilian national team takes its place during the opening ceremony © Ahmed Mazen

The text also highlighted the meaning of victory and defeat in the learning process, stressing the importance of humility, composure and the ability to turn sporting experiences into lessons for life.

This outlook, encapsulated in the phrase “Budo for Life”, was one of the central principles of the message prepared for the international gathering.

Teams lined up © Ahmed Mazen

Inclusion broadens the World Championship’s reach

Another significant feature of the 2026 edition is the expansion of initiatives aimed at enabling a wider range of people to practise traditional karate.

Alongside the World Championship, the programme features four complementary initiatives: the inaugural ITKF Global Karate for All, supported by TAFISA (The Association For International Sport for All); the inaugural ITKF Global Inclusive Karate, supported by the Inclusive Karate Federation (IKF); the ITKF World Club Championship; and the Children’s World Cup.

“What unites us is not equality of ability, but equality of dignity.”

Together, these activities broaden the scope of the gathering, incorporating educational initiatives, community participation and the inclusion of people with disabilities.

The welcome message expressed this approach in a statement that sums up the organisers’ social commitment: “Karate must create opportunities, not barriers.”

Luiz Alberto Kuster, Secretary-General of ITKF Global, and Mohamed Fawzy, Technical Director of the Egyptian traditional karate team © Ahmed Mazen

The message recognises that practitioners with different physical conditions, abilities and support needs should find dojos to be welcoming, respectful environments where they can develop their potential.

“What unites us is not equality of ability, but equality of dignity.”

The Portuguese national team takes its place for the opening ceremony © Ahmed Mazen

By incorporating these initiatives into its international programme, the ITKF seeks to extend the reach of Nishiyama’s technical and philosophical legacy, bringing traditional karate to new audiences and reinforcing its contribution to education, health and human development.

Egyptian organisers receive recognition

The World Championship also represents a milestone for the Egyptian Traditional Karate Federation, which is responsible for local organisation under the leadership of Ramy El-Mekawy.

The work carried out over the months of preparation received institutional support from the Egyptian government, particularly the Ministry of Youth and Sports, alongside the involvement of officials, technical teams and volunteers led by a highly capable local organising committee.

Officials attend the ITKF Global World Championship opening ceremony © Ahmed Mazen

The ceremony’s official message made a point of recognising these professionals, many of whom work behind the scenes without the visibility afforded to athletes and senior officials.

That recognition extended to the families, instructors, referees and support personnel who help develop practitioners and ensure the continuity of sporting activities.

Egyptian karate practitioners stand for the national anthem © Ahmed Mazen

For the organisers, the event’s legacy should be measured not solely by the delegations’ performances, but also by the cultural experiences, the friendships formed and the opportunities for Egyptian children and young people to engage with representatives from other countries.

Cairo opens a new chapter in ITKF history

Staging the World Championship in Egypt expands the ITKF’s international presence and represents an important step in its growth beyond the traditional centres of the sport’s development.

Fernando da Silva receives an award from Essam Shreif, WUKF Ambassador for Afro-Asia © Ahmed Mazen

Following editions in Curitiba, Brazil, in 2019; Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, in 2022; and Vila do Conde, Portugal, in 2024, the World Championship arrives on the African continent, bringing the ITKF’s leading competition to a new sporting and cultural setting.

The Cairo edition also coincides with changes in the global leadership and continental representation, following elections held during the institutional programme preceding the opening of the competition.

The Polish national team takes its place for the opening ceremony © Ahmed Mazen

Through international competition, inclusion initiatives and activities for younger generations, the gathering seeks to reaffirm traditional karate’s identity as a discipline that combines technical development, character building and social responsibility.

At the end of the welcome message, the organisers summed up the spirit intended for this edition.

“From the banks of the Nile to every continent, Egypt offers you its friendship, its hospitality and its best wishes.”

The Egyptian inclusive karate team © Ahmed Mazen

Beyond hosting a competition, Cairo offers traditional karate an opportunity to strengthen international ties and demonstrate that Hidetaka Nishiyama’s legacy remains alive in the development of new generations.

“May respect, friendship and peace prevail.”