WSKF Background
“We, karate exponents, training in the art of World Shotokan, firmly reject all forms of prejudice and discrimination. We hold no position on religion or politics and recognize each individual and each separate organization as self determining entities. We seek growth and development of World Shotokan and through that the development of world peace. It is our firm decision to found our art as a modern and permanent one, firmly rooted in friendship and understanding between all human beings on the planet. We seek the development and growth of world youth and health movement based on mutual understanding between all federated member organizations. Under these guiding principles we hereby organize and found The World Shotokan-Do Federation” JUNE 1990
This was the declaration put down when the World Shotokan Karate-Do Federation was established in 1990. WSKF was formed by Sensei Hitoshi Kasuya 8th Dan. Sensei Kasuya was, prior to this, head of the international division of the Shotokan Karate International and had a history of being both a highly skilled and successful competition fighter as well as an innovative instructor.
Sensei Kasuya graduated from the rigorous Instructors Special Training Course of the Japan Karate Association in 1973 and competed in the first World Championships held in the USA in 1975 where he placed first in both team kata and team kumite. Over the ensuing years Sensei Kasuya competed at a number of tournaments until his retirement in 1985 at the age of 37.
Initially the WSKF had a handful of countries as part of the organisation however in only a few short years this number has now grown to over 84 member countries and continues to grow.
Sensei Kasuya spends a good deal of time each year travelling around teaching in these countries in order to maintain a consistent and high technical standard throughout the organisation. Each year Australia is a recipient of one of his visits where he conducts training seminars for all members in many locations.
