Jack Wilson, a 21-year-old British kata athlete once ranked fifth in the world, claims he was unfairly excluded from last week’s European Karate Championships in Frankfurt. He also told Sportsin that the World Karate Federation Athletes’ Commission failed to respond to his email regarding the matter.
Wilson has been a member of England’s national kata team since the age of 14 and has represented the country in numerous official WKF competitions. He has also competed at senior level and notably secured a bronze medal at the prestigious 2022 Paris Open, widely regarded by followers of the sport as one of the most competitive karate events globally.
Karate governance in the United Kingdom is structured around four “home nations,” each of which pays membership fees to the WKF. However, the WKF formally recognises only the British Karate Federation. The BKF president, Roger Williams, received a vote of no confidence from three of the home nations last year, which further deepened divisions within the sport.
Amid this turmoil, the English Karate Federation was abruptly removed from BKF membership and replaced by a newly established body, the English Karate National Governing Body. Despite reportedly having no registered members at the time of its creation, the EKNGB was quickly recognised by the BKF and subsequently by the WKF. Formed just three months earlier, the organisation lists Mike Dinsdale, who also serves as treasurer of the WKF, among its directors.
Wilson described to Sportsin how these internal political dynamics affected his career. When asked why he did not join the EKNGB, despite many clubs feeling compelled to do so in order to access WKF competitions, he explained:
“At first, I did attempt to follow the same path but I was rejected by another club due to the ‘political backlash’ it may have caused them. In reality, this was due to major disagreements between my coaches and the new EKNGB board, both privately and publicly.
This left me with a choice. Even if I had been accepted, I felt strongly that I would not have had a fair shot at selection and would have had to deal with politics I have zero interest in. That led me to Northern Ireland, who offered me a place on their squad and allowed me back onto the pathway. I just want to compete. I have no issues with anyone, but I am being used as a pawn to target my coaches.”
In an effort to bypass what he describes as political obstruction within the EKNGB, Wilson switched allegiance to Northern Ireland. As a British passport holder, he is eligible to register with any of the UK’s home nations and compete internationally upon selection.
However, Wilson alleges that his participation pathway was subsequently affected by decisions taken within the sport’s governing structures. He claims that actions by senior figures within the BKF and EKNGB resulted in him being unable to compete at the European Championships in Frankfurt.
WKF Athletes’ Commission silence amid exclusion claims
Jack Wilson says the World Karate Federation Athletes’ Commission has not responded to his email regarding his case. When asked whether he had received any reply, Wilson told Sportsin: “To date, I have not received any response from them.”
The European Karate Championships were held in Frankfurt from 20 to 24 May.Wilson contacted the commission a week before the event while attempting to travel to Frankfurt with the Northern Ireland national team. He claims that Roger Williams and Dale Gamble intervened in a way that prevented his participation.
In his correspondence, Wilson also referenced David Benetello, president of the WKF Athletes’ Commission, saying the email was addressed to him as part of his request for intervention.
Wilson said the email outlined his desire to continue his competitive karate career. He added that although he had been accepted into the Northern Ireland national setup, he was ultimately unable to travel to Frankfurt and compete.
The championships ended on 24 May in Frankfurt. The EKNGB team returned without a medal, marking one of England’s weakest performances in recent continental competition.
Update: Sportsin has contacted the BKF and EKNGB for comment. Any response received may be included in a future update.
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