I-KARATE GLOBAL

Welcome to I-Karate-Global, the global platform for disabled sport enthusiasts in the world of Karate. At I-Karate, we aim to promote inclusivity and empower individuals with disabilities to participate in the art of Karate. With our adaptive training programs and accessible resources, we strive to break down barriers and provide equal opportunities for all. Join us on our journey to redefine the boundaries of disability sports and inspire a new generation of athletes. Discover the power within you and unleash your potential through I-Karate. Together, let's make Karate a truly global and inclusive sport. Get ready to train, compete, and conquer!

About I-Karate Global
I-Karate is a unique martial art that is open to anyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. It is based on the principles of commitment, perseverance, trust, and respect. The strength of I-Karate lies in the partnership between karatekas in wheelchairs and their buddies. This creates a bond of support and encouragement that helps everyone involved to reach their full potential. I-Karate is not just about physical strength, but also about mental and emotional resilience. It is a way of life that can help people of all ages and abilities to become better versions of themselves.The Inclusive Karate Federation is a global organization that is dedicated to promoting I-Karate around the world. Anyone who is interested in learning more about I-Karate or joining the IKF is welcome to contact the federation. Together, we can create a truly inclusive karate spirit for everyone.
1

Who are we?

The Inclusive Karate Federation provides a comprehensive training program that enhances physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Through karate techniques, participants gain coordination, agility, endurance, strength, and speed, fostering overall health and confidence. The inclusive environment promotes social interaction and encourages the development of a harmonious balance in all aspects of life.

2

What is I-Karate?

Inclusive Karate (I-Karate) aims to integrate individuals with special needs into regular karate training and activities at local karate clubs. Karate, meaning "empty hand," is a self-defense method without weapons. Karatekas utilize their limbs as natural defense and attack tools, requiring speed, concentration, strength, agility, and coordination. The ultimate goal of karate is not victory or defeat but the development of characte

3

Our goal

In addition to the general public, we focus more specifically on persons with a mental or physical disorder.Our mission is to teach a martial art such as I-Karate with the ultimate goal to change thinking patterns of children and adults with disabilities. We achieve this through personal guidance and continuous assessment. Parents and family members are closely involved in the integration process.

4

Teaching

Karate combines physical culture, self-defense, and sports, making it accessible to individuals of all ages and abilities. Emphasis is placed on precise technique and control, minimizing the risk of injury. Frequent and focused training cultivates strength, flexibility, speed, coordination, self-confidence, and self-discipline, positively impacting daily life. Karate's comprehensive training regimen engages the entire body, promoting balance and symmetry. Experts commend karate as an excellent foundation for other sports. Our association advocates for "lifelong karate," encouraging individuals to embark on this journey at any stage of life.

5

Educational value

Karate offers a valuable psycho-educational balance between energy and thinking, addressing a gap in traditional Western education that prioritizes passive learning over active engagement. This synergy fosters heightened sensitivity, enhanced reflexes, and a harmonious integration of thought and action, aligning with the ethical principles of human existence.

6

Does martial art also reduce aggression?

The text highlights that contrary to common belief associating martial arts with aggression, numerous studies indicate the opposite. Martial arts have been shown to reduce aggression and instill positive values such as honesty, courtesy, courage, respect, and self-control. These practices help individuals manage emotions, enhance self-esteem, and foster self-discipline, positively influencing behavior and overall well-being. Beyond physical benefits, martial arts provide a sense of community, belonging, and structure, particularly beneficial for young people. The holistic approach to development, covering mental, emotional, and social skills, underscores martial arts as a valuable tool for personal growth and well-being. While findings are mainly self-reported, consistent results across diverse groups and qualitative data support a strong positive link between martial arts, aggression regulation, and education

These people are the unsung heroes who keep the federation going

President

Laura Kazilione

Secretary

Adrian Magyar

Treasurer

Caroline Ameloot

Boardmember

Doctor Dennis Jaeken

Head medical commision

Doctor Carlo Oud

Medical Commision

Jo Pollaris

Chief comfortreferee IKF

Myriam Wischlen

IKF Global referee commission

Attila Halász

IKF Global comfort referee commission

Diana Borger

Membership IKF

Jenny Bams

Classification IKF

Peter Quanten

Website & Social Media

The international official IKF judges

Jo Pollaris

IKF Global head referee (Belgium)

Eric Bortels

IKF Global head comfort referee (Belgium)

Myriam Wischlen

Comfort referee (France)

Peter Quanten

Official Chief Referee (Belgium)

Adrian Magyar

Official Chief Referee (Hungary)

Attila Halasz

Official Chief Referee (Hungary)

ludo l'ecluse

Official Chief Referee (Belgium)

Rien Nieuwesteeg

Official Chief Referee (Netherlands)

Alicia Stalmans

Official judge (Belgium)

Anders Trapp

Official judge (Sweden)

Attila Guzoran

Official judge (Sweden)

Dave Kengen

Official judge (Netherlands)

Fabio Verdone

Official judge (Italy)

Laurent Fereire

Official judge (France)

Manu Ville

Official judge (Belgium)

Pontus Johansson

Official judge (Sweden)

Sabrina Brenner

Official judge (Belgium)

Steve Cools

Official judge (Belgium)

Tatrai Katalin

Official judge (Hungary)

Irène Kaelbel

Official judge (France)

Ilies Bogdan

Official judge (Romania)

Ivan Claudian

Official judge (Romania)

Britt Quanten

Official judge (Belgium)

Dmitri Beloshitskiy

Official judge (Belgium)

Below you will find the karate clubs that offer lessons in I-Karate in the affiliated countries. To join I-Karate Global, please download the registration form from the downloads section.

Belgium

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Germany

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Hungary

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Ireland

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Kazakhstan

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Lithuania

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Morocco

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New Zealand

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Pakistan

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Romania

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Saoudi Arabia

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Scotland

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Slovakia

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Slovenia

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South Africa

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Sri Lanka

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The Netherlands

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Ukraine

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United Kingdom

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The origin of IKF Global

2007

Sensei Eric Bortels has provided karate training at BuSO KIDS in Hasselt, a special school catering to children with behavioral problems.

01/01/2007

2009

Sensei Eric Bortels has initiated a close collaboration with Bethanië Hasselt. Thanks to the support of the Province of Limburg (Belgium), Eric now oversees all I-sports days. At regular intervals, Sensei Eric Bortels is invited to conduct sessions in various institutions, day care centers, etc. This includes working with individuals with Down syndrome, mental retardation, wheelchair users, and those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

01/01/2009

2012

Eric initiated a collaboration with Peter Quanten, Jurgen Evens and Dr. Ilse Rayen, a developmental pediatrician and autism specialist, leading to the establishment of G-Karate Limburg (www.g-karate-vlaanderen.be). In March 2012, Eric commenced working with his own small group of children with ASD aged between 8 and 11 years.

03/01/2012

2012

Thanks to JKS Belgium, G-Karate Limburg has transformed into G-Karate Vlaanderen, becoming the primary organization for I-Karate in the Flanders region.

14/03/2012

2013

Sensei Eric Bortels received a call from Japan to establish a global organization to promote I-Karate. Alongside volunteers from the world of karate, the medical field, and the business sector, IKF (Inclusive Karate Federation) was founded.

21/12/2013

2018

An Erasmus+ Sport project, IKONS, was launched by the University of Rome and awarded to I-Karate Global. This project involves the application of Eric's methodology to individuals with Down Syndrome. Five enthusiastic pilot countries are participating: Belgium, Hungary, Italy, Romania, and Austria. Two coaches per country have commenced teaching two training sessions every week to 12-15 students. A strict schedule, personally devised, mandates 80 training sessions over a whole year. The project spans three years and conducts scientific research on the effects and applicability of karate for individuals with intellectual impairments.

01/12/2018
  •  07/02/2025 10:00 - 10/02/2025 17:00
  •   Dublin, Ireland

Join our Education for Inclusive Karate trainer event, where you will gain valuable insights into the principles of inclusivity in karate training. This program is designed for karate trainers who aspire to provide an equitable training experience for all participants, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities. more info: info@i-k-f.net

  •  30/03/2025 09:00
  •   Pelt, België

More information about the event will follow later; keep an eye on our website!

  •  10/05/2025 09:00
  •   Lund, Zweden

More information about the event will follow later; keep an eye on our website!

  •  23/06/2024 09:00
  •   DCU Sports Hall, Collins Avenue, Dublin, Ireland
  •  28/04/2024 13:45
  •   Sporthal Den Aks, Bevrijdingslaan, 2450 Meerhout, België

Further information will follow soon

  •  13/04/2024 09:00
  •   EOS Hallen, Arkivgatan 32, Lund, Zweden
  •  16/03/2024 09:00
  •   BUSO KIDS, Nieuwe-Heidestraat, Hasselt, België
  •  17/02/2024 09:00
  •   Dániel Mezőgazdasági Technikum, Szekszárd, Palánk 19, 7100 Hongarije
  •  16/02/2024 09:00
  •   Dániel Mezőgazdasági Technikum, Szekszárd, Palánk 19, 7100 Hongarije
  •  11/02/2024 09:30 - 11/02/2024 14:30
  •   Balbriggan Community College Pine Ridge Chapel St Tankardstown Balbriggan, Co. Dublin, K32 HE19, Ireland
  •  10/02/2024 13:00 - 10/02/2024 18:00
  •   Balbriggan Community College Pine Ridge Chapel St Tankardstown Balbriggan, Co. Dublin, K32 HE19, Ireland
  •  20/01/2024 10:00
  •   Lunds Karateklubb, Skiffervägen 102, Älta, Zweden

Also in preparation for the upcomming IKF competition in Lund

  •  09/09/2023 09:00
  •   Budapest, Sportcsarnok utca 2, 1237 Hongarije
  •  18/06/2023 09:00
  •   Arenaplein, 2100 Antwerpen, België
  •  22/04/2023 09:00
  •   Kempische Steenweg 400, 3500 Hasselt, België
  •  19/06/2022 09:00
  •   Zoetermeer, Nederland
  •  02/04/2022 09:00
  •   Kempische Steenweg, Hasselt, België

To learn more about our federation, simply click here to view the necessary documents.

Call for boardmembers

Dear Country Representatives and other interested parties, download here or call for a new board within I-karate Global.

IKF Registration Document

Our federation appreciates your interest and eagerly anticipates collaborating with you. We've provided a concise overview of our proposal and how we envision our partnership. If you require further details or have any inquiries, please don't hesitate to reach out to us

Become a sponsor of I-Karate Global

Becoming a Partner of I-Karate Global. We invite you to become a partner and have a direct impact on the lives of people with disabilities. Your support enables us to offer accessible karate lessons and create positive change. Become a crucial part of our inclusive karate adventure! Together, we can break barriers and change lives. Contact us today to discover how you can support I-Karate Global.

Connection costs

Here you find the price of membership of our federation.

Examination

Our education to trainer or referee: all the information you need

Joining IKF I-karate Global

IKF I-karate Global: Everything you need to know to join.

Scientific proof of the IKF system

Inclusive Karate: a new perspective to decrease sedentary lifestyle and increase self-confidence in Down Syndrome

MANUAL FOR THE ADAPTIVE TRAINING

https://www.ikons-project.eu/

  • Slangbeekstraat 21, 3511 Kuringen, België

BTW BE 0598.911.157 IBAN BE78 0689 0208 6586