The 2024 Small States of Europe Karate Championships (SSEKC) concluded this week with Luxembourg securing the top spot on the medal table. Held for the first time in Monaco, the event drew over 200 athletes from all nine participating countries of the Small States of Europe, marking a significant moment in the region’s karate history.
The 10th edition of this tournament highlighted the depth and skill of karate practitioners from the region, further underscoring the sport’s growth among Europe’s small states. The event was organised by the Monaco Karate Federation and the Small States of Europe Karate Federation (SSEKF), which gathered representatives from all member countries in the general assembly prior to the championship’s opening.
At the assembly, SSEKF President Andreas Vasileiou commended Claude Bollati, President of the Monaco Karate Federation, for orchestrating a successful and well-organised championship. Vasileiou also announced the progress of karate’s debut at the Games of the Small States of Europe, set to take place in Andorra in May 2025.
The tournament saw Luxembourg claiming the top spot with 25 medals, followed by Cyprus and Montenegro in second and third places.
WKF and EKF President Antonio Espinós, said after the event:
“The Small States of Europe Karate Championships are a key part of the international karate calendar. It’s essential to maintain the high level of organization and support for these events, especially as we look forward to karate’s first inclusion in the Games of the Small States of Europe next year. The dedication shown by the SSEKF countries and the SSEKF is inspiring, and it demonstrates karate’s role in promoting discipline, honour and values.”
From right to left: Executive Committee member of Malta Karate Federation Audrey Zammit; Maurizzio Mazza, president of San Marino Karate Federation and Vice President of SSEKF; Kenneth Abella, president of Malta Karate Federation; Frederic Debaets vice president of Monaco Karate federation, Sara Guerrieri representative of San Marino Karate Federation; Katherine Broder president of Liechtenstein Farate Federation and Secretary General of SSEKF; Andreas Vasileiou, president of Cyprus Karate Federation and president of SSEKF; Veljko Brnovic, Secretary General of Montenegro Karate Federation and Sports Director of SSEKF; Reinhard Reinhardsson, president of Iceland Karate Federation and member of the Executive Committee of SSEKF; Xavier Herver, president of Andorra Karate Federation and member of the Executive Committee of SSEKF; Jean Claude Henry, member of the Executive Committee of Luxembourg Karate Federation and member of the Technical Commission of SSEKF; Feidt Mich, vice president of Luxembourg Karate Federation, and Fred Charlé, president of the Luxembourg Karate Federation and member of the Executive Committee of SSEKF.
From right to left: Claude Bollati, president of the Monaco Karate Federation; Katherine Broder, president of Liechtenstein Karate Federation and Secretary General of SSEKF; Xavier Herver, president of Andorra Karate Federation and member of the Executive Committee of SSEKF; Kenneth Abella, president of Malta Karate Federation and Treasurer of the SSEKF; Maurizzio Mazza, president of San Marino Karate Federation and vice President of SSEKF; Andreas Vasileiou, president of Cyprus Karate Federation and president of SSEKF; Veljko Brnovic, Secretary General of Montenegro Karate Federation and Sport Director of SSEKF; Reinhard Reinhardsson, president of Iceland Karate Federation and member of the Executive Committee of SSEKF; Fred Charlé, president of the Luxembourg Karate Federation.
From right to left: Frederic Debaets, vice president of Monaco Karate Federation; Andreas Vasileiou, president of Cyprus Karate Federation and president of the SSEKF; Sean Philippe Vinci, Monaco’s Director of Education and Sports; Yvette Lambin Berti, State Secretary and Secretary General of the Monaco Olympic Committee; and Claude Bollati, president of Monaco Karate Federation.