For nearly three decades, the World Karate Federation (WKF) has been under the firm grip of one individual, leaving younger leadership cadres on the sidelines. Since 1998, Antonio Espinós has ruled the organization with an iron fist, shaping key decisions and the election of executive boards and commission heads—including the all-important refereeing commission. Now in his late seventies, Espinós has faced increasing criticism for his autocratic style, as well as for his role in karate’s exclusion from the Olympics, a blow that has shaken the sport’s global community.
In the wake of karate’s Olympic snub, the organizers of the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Games sent a clear message: the WKF’s governance lacks the transparency and democratic mechanisms required for inclusion in the Olympic family. Despite the sport’s debut at Tokyo 2020, it was promptly left out of Paris 2024—a significant move considering karate’s historical roots in France. The sidelining of the sport from two consecutive Olympics points directly to the opaque management style under Espinós.
WKF HAS NO ONE WITHOUT OLYMPIC GAMES
Rather than taking this Olympic rejection as an opportunity for introspection and reform, Espinós has lashed out at the International Olympic Committee, accusing it of a lack of transparency. However, the real issue lies with the WKF’s failure to align itself with the values enshrined in the Olympic Charter: avoidance of discrimination, unity, fairness, and democracy. Without a clear plan for governance reform, the WKF has no one but itself to blame for its exclusion from the world’s most prestigious sporting event.
Meanwhile, the fall of karate from the Olympic program has dragged Francis Didier, another prominent figure in the sport, into the spotlight. Didier, president of the French Karate Federation (FFK), has also come under fire, accused of negligence in promoting karate’s Olympic ambitions. However, Didier has been dealing with his own scandals, facing multiple investigations by French police and tax authorities. Once a close ally of Espinós, Didier has found himself out of favor and removed from key roles within the WKF.
Didier’s woes don’t end there. A new directive from the French government mandates a change in the leadership of national sports federations, forcing Didier to step down from his role at the FFK. However, he has declared his intention to remain as an advisor to his successor—a move that has sparked controversy. Some critics argue that Didier’s continued influence will prevent much-needed financial and administrative transparency at the FFK, while others fear his hand-picked successor will merely serve as a puppet, prolonging the old guard’s control.
HAS EXTENDED ITS TERM OF OFFICE FROM FOUR TO SIX YEARS
Espinós, too, has shown little willingness to step aside. Instead of acknowledging his strategic failures—most notably karate’s failure to secure a long-term Olympic spot—he has extended the WKF presidency term from four to six years. Moreover, as president of both the WKF and the European Karate Federation (EKF), Espinós has made questionable decisions, such as blocking the relocation of the EKF’s headquarters from Madrid. These moves raise concerns about his intent to maintain control, even after his eventual departure.
At the heart of these power struggles lies a critical issue: the lack of clear, democratic processes within the WKF and national federations. The trend of installing compliant leaders who won’t challenge the status quo threatens the future of karate as a sport with Olympic aspirations. Without meaningful reforms, including greater transparency and open elections for leadership roles, the WKF risks remaining stuck in a cycle of unaccountable leadership, unable to secure a place on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
WKF MUST EMBRACE DEMOCRATIC VALUES
As karate looks to the future, the sport faces an uncertain path. Its exclusion from the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, alongside the internal turmoil plaguing its leadership, signals a need for significant change. The WKF must embrace the democratic values it claims to uphold, ensuring that its leadership is accountable and that its operations are transparent. Only then can karate hope to return to the Olympics and secure its place among the world’s elite sports.
Until then, the reign of Antonio Espinós and Francis Didier may continue to cast a shadow over the sport’s ambitions, leaving karate enthusiasts worldwide wondering if their beloved sport will ever break free from the grip of its “twin dinos.”
