IOC Honorary Member Yu Zaiqing Visits Karate One Premier League in Leshan

International Olympic Committee (IOC) Honorary Member and Vice President of the Chinese Olympic Committee Yu Zaiqing attended the 2026 Karate One Premier League event in Leshan this weekend, underlining the growing importance of karate in the country.

Mr. Yu holds several top roles in global sport. He is an International Olympic Committee (IOC) Honorary Member, Vice President of the Chinese Olympic Committee, Vice-President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), and Vice President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), among many other high-ranked positions. He has been an IOC member since 2000 and previously served as IOC Vice President from 2008 to 2012 and again from 2014 to 2022.

He was welcomed at the venue by officials from the World Karate Federation (WKF) on site and by the President of the Chinese Karate Association, Zhang Zhi. During his visit, discussions focused on the rapid progress of karate in China. Officials also exchanged views on the sport’s future and its Olympic prospects. China is seen as one of the fastest-growing countries for karate, both in participation and performance.

In a statement, the WKF President expressed appreciation for the visit:“While unfortunately I was unable to be present in Leshan due to family issues, the WKF really appreciates Mr Yu’s visit. I hope he enjoyed the excellence of our sport, the values of karate and the legacy that events such as the Karate One in Leshan are leaving in the country. China is one of the fastest-developing nations in the sport, and the Karate One in Leshan is an example of the tremendous progress of Karate, not only in terms of sporting spirit and participation but also in values and brilliance. I am pleased that Mr Yu had the chance to witness this, and continues being a strong WKF supporter.  His visit highlights the continued cooperation between international and Chinese sports leaders as karate continues to work to strengthen its global position.”

(Top picture: From left to right: Vice President of Chinese Karate Association Li Xiangdong, WKF Events and Marketing manager Ivan Delfino, President of Chinese Karate Association Zhang Zhi, IOC Honorary Member  and Vice President of the Chinese Olympic Committee Yu Zaiqing, Karate One Premier League Leshan Event Supervisor and WKF Technical Commission member Dominique Sigilo, WKF Communication manager Sergio Aguilera, and WKF Technical Commission chair Mohamed Elhoseiny)