The 2025 EKF Senior Karate Championships officially kicked off with a press conference in Yerevan on Tuesday, marking the eve of one of Europe’s most important karate events of the year. The competition, which begins Wednesday, brings together 500 athletes from 50 countries and will crown the new kings and queens of European Karate.
The press conference was led by Antonio Espinós, President of the European Karate Federation (EKF) and the World Karate Federation (WKF), alongside Vazgen Harutyunyan, President of the Armenia Karate Federation. They were joined by Hasmik Avagyan, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia, and EKF General Secretary Davor Cipek.
Hasmik Avagyan welcomed the karate community to Armenia and expressed the country’s gratitude for hosting such a prestigious event. “We sincerely thank the EKF and WKF for bringing this championship to Yerevan,” Avagyan said. “An event of this scale is vital for the development of sports in Armenia. Hosting athletes from 50 countries this week gives Armenian Karate the possibility of continuing to progress.”
Vazgen Harutyunyan highlighted the significance of the championship for Armenian karate. “This is a historic moment for us,” Harutyunyan said. “We are proud to host Europe’s best athletes and grateful to President Espinós and the entire EKF family for trusting us with the responsibility of hosting this event. It shows confidence in our ability to organise high-level tournaments, and it is a source of pride for the Karate community in Armenia.”
Meanwhile, EKF General Secretary Davor Cipek emphasised the event’s sporting importance. “This championship is very important, and not only because it gathers the best Karate athletes in Europe. It also serves as a qualifying event for the upcoming World Individual Senior Championships to be held in Cairo in November, so it adds extra excitement for both athletes and fans.”
EKF and WKF President Antonio Espinós praised the efforts of the Armenian organisers and underlined the broader message behind the event. “Excellence in organising major events comes from energy, determination, and strong institutional support,” Espinós said. “The Armenian Karate Federation has shown all of this. Karate is a universal sport. By holding this championship in Yerevan, we show that karate thrives everywhere, no matter the size of the nation.”
The 2025 EKF Senior Championships officially begin Wednesday, with competitions running throughout the week at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex in Yerevan.
Top picture: The opening press conference of the 2025 EKF Senior Championships was headed by Antonio Espinós, President of the European Karate Federation (EKF) and the World Karate Federation (WKF), alongside Vazgen Harutyunyan, President of the Armenian Karate Federation. They were joined by Hasmik Avagyan, Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Armenia, and EKF General Secretary Davor Cipek.