The World Traditional Karate-do Federation (former International Traditional Karate Federation ITKF) is an international governing body of traditional karate which sets up technical standards for that martial art.
The organization came into being in 1972. The ITKF was responsible for the technical supervision over the ITKF World Championships hosted since 1975 (Los Angeles), the ITKF World Cup and the Regional (Continental) Championships. The ITKF has been also continually developing technical aspects through e.g creating new categories such as en-bu, fuku-go or kogo-kumite.
On August 17th, 2013 the ITKF Extraordinary General Meeting took place at the Japanese Martial Arts and Sports Centre “Dojo-Stara Wies” in Stara Wies (Poland). By the decision of the General Meeting the ITKF headquarters has been moved from Los Angeles (USA) to Geneva (Switzerland). The decision was approved by the representatives of 23 following countries: Armenia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, France, Israel, Japan, Lithuania, Moldova, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA and Venezuela.
The reorganized ITKF was a non-governmental international organization (NGO) whose aim was to promote the Traditional Karate following the decision of the 101st Session of the International Olympic Committee and in accordance with the “ITKF Competition Rules”. The ITKF was a common platform organization for many schools and styles of traditional karate which are practiced worldwide.
On October 24th, 2014 by the decision of the General Assembly, International Traditional Karate Federation (ITKF) seated in Geneva (Switzerland) changed its name to World Traditional Karate-Do Federation (WTKF). The main aim of the organization remains unchanged. WTKF is going to promote the Traditional Karate following the decision of the 101st Session of the International Olympic Committee.