Croatia will host another stage of the Karate One Youth League from July 2nd to 5th, 2026. More than 2,700 young athletes from 69 countries are expected for the international competition dedicated to talented 12- to 17-year-olds.
The World Karate Federation (WKF) announced on its official website that the Croatian city of Poreč will host the fourth stage of the Karate One Youth League, an international circuit for young karatekas, from July 2nd to 5th, 2026.
According to the WKF, this edition brings together more than 2,700 athletes representing 69 countries, confirming the growing importance of this global event for the 12- to 17-year-old age group.
The competition will take place at the Zatika Sport Centre and includes 34 categories in kata and kumite. The finals are scheduled at the end of each day of competition.
The Italian delegation is the largest with 255 competitors, followed by Ukraine (251) and the host country, Croatia (170).
“Excellence, friendship, and sportsmanship,” as well as the values of “respect, discipline, perseverance, and mutual understanding,” will be at the heart of this edition, the World Karate Federation (WKF) stated on its official website.
The WKF also emphasizes that Poreč has established itself as one of the world’s leading centres for youth karate, hosting this competition continuously since 2019.
Previous editions have already seen strong participation, with 3,200 young athletes from 70 countries in 2024, and then 2,800 athletes representing 70 nations in 2025, illustrating the event’s growing appeal.
Following the Croatian leg, the Karate One Youth League will continue its 2026 schedule with competitions planned in Guadalajara, Mexico, and Venice, Italy, according to the WKF.
Poreč is the fourth of six stages on the 2026 Karate One Youth League calendar, after Fujairah (United Arab Emirates), Harare (Zimbabwe), and Manila (Philippines), before the events in Guadalajara (Mexico) and Venice (Italy).
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