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!
What is I-Karate
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
Team
These people are the unsung heroes who keep the federation going
Koen Spitaels
Boardmember
Koen Spitaels, 6th dan Kyokushinkai, Boardmember IKF, Chief referee IKF, Founder & Sihan Niji Yama Dojo.
Adrian Magyar
General Secretary
General secretary IKF, President I-karate Global Hungary, Responsible para-karate, Hungarian Karate Federation, Hungarian Paralympic Committee, IKF managment team, IKF Global referee commission.
Caroline Ameloot
Boardmember
Public relations & funding IKF managment team
Doctor Dennis Jaeken
Head medical commision
Member EPC Official classifier para-taekwondo and wheelchair dance
Doctor Carlo Oud
Medical Commision
Head of Medical Commission & TUE Panel
Pascal Faes
Chief comfortreferee IKF
Sensei Goju Ryu karate, Founder & sensei G-Karate Leopoldsburg, Chief comfortreferee IKF
Myriam Wischlen
IKF Global referee commission
Attila Halász
IKF Global comfort referee commission
Jo Pollaris
IKF Global comfort referee commission
Laura Kazilione
Managment countries
Diana Borger
Membership IKF
Jenny Bams
Classification IKF
Peter Quanten
Website & Social Media
Co-founder & treasurer G-karate vzw, Co-fouder & secretary JKS Benelux, Chairman Gonosen Karate Academy.
Sarah Schepers
Website & Social Media
Administrative manager Gonosen Administrative manager G-Karate vzw
Official judges
The international official IKF judges
Koen Spitaels
IKF Global head referee (Belgium)
Pascal Faes
IKF Global head comfort referee (Belgium)
Eric Bortels
Comfort referee (Belgium)
Myriam Wischlen
Comfort referee (France)
Jo Pollaris
Comfort referee (Belgium)
Marijke Geukens
Comfort referee (Belgium)
Peter Quanten
Official judge (Belgium)
Adrian Magyar
Official judge (Hungary)
Alicia Stalmans
Official judge (Belgium)
Anders Trapp
Official judge (Sweden)
Attila Guzoran
Official judge (Sweden)
Attila Halasz
Official judge (Hungary)
Dave Kengen
Official judge (Netherlands)
Eef Loth
Official judge (Belgium)
Fabio Verdone
Official judge (Italy)
Frank van Geyt
Official judge (Belgium)
Laurent Fereire
Official judge (France)
ludo l'ecluse
Official judge (Belgium)
Manu Ville
Official judge (Belgium)
Pontus Johansson
Official judge (Sweden)
Rien Nieuwesteeg
Official judge (Netherlands)
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)
IKF Worldwide
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
Learn MoreThe Netherlands
Learn MoreFrance
Learn MoreItaly
Learn MoreHungary
Learn MoreSweden
Learn MoreUnited Kingdom
Learn MoreIreland
Learn MoreRomania
Learn MoreSouth Africa
Learn MoreSaoudi Arabia
Learn MoreCanada
Learn MoreSlovenia
Learn MoreUkraine
Learn MoreIndia
Learn MoreSlovakia
Learn MoreMorocco
Learn MoreLatvia
Learn MoreKazakhstan
Learn MoreRussia
Learn MoreLithuania
Learn MoreGermany
Learn MoreSri Lanka
Learn MorePakistan
Learn MoreIKF timeline
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.
01/01/20072009
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).
01/01/20092012
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.
03/01/20122012
Thanks to JKS Belgium, G-Karate Limburg has transformed into G-Karate Vlaanderen, becoming the primary organization for I-Karate in the Flanders region.
14/03/20122013
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.
21/12/20132018
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.
01/12/2018Events
Further information will follow soon
Also in preparation for the upcomming IKF competition in Lund
Sponsors
We are proud to have the support of a number of talented and dedicated companies and organizations. These sponsors help us to make our events possible and to provide our athletes with the best possible experience. We are grateful for the support of all of our sponsors. We encourage you to visit their websites to learn more about their products and services.
DOWNLOADS
To learn more about our federation, simply click here to view the necessary documents.
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/
Contact
- Slangbeekstraat 21, 3511 Kuringen, België
BTW BE 0598.911.157 IBAN BE78 0689 0208 6586