Karate 1-Premier League In Madrid Cancelled

Another major step towards the Olympics has been compromised, thanks in large part to the coronavirus. The Karate 1-Premier League, set to take place from April 17-19 in Madrid, has been cancelled.

“This decision is taken upon the resolution of the government of Spain to implement strict measures to contain the pandemic in the country including the current state of alarm in all the national territory,” the World Karate Federation released in a statement.

“The health and safety of the athletes and all other participants are the top priorities of the WKF. Karate’s international governing body will continue monitoring the situation to guarantee the best conditions to athletes, staff members and fans.

This is not the first karate event to feel the wrath of the virus. The Karate 1-Premier League series in Rabat, Morocco around March 15 was also cancelled.

A meeting was set up between the World Karate Federation President, the organizer of the Karate 1-Premier League and others with World Karate Federation Medical Commission chairperson Rafael Arriaza. Topics from the meeting included the health and safety of the athletes. The last Karate 1-Premier League took place in Salzburg.

It is unknown the status of the tournament set to take place in Cyprus. That is during the weekend of May 1-3.