Guardian Girls Karate Named Best Social Event of the Year 2025 at Latvian Combat Sports Awards

The Guardian Girls Karate initiative has been awarded Best Social Event of the Year 2025 during the Latvian Combat Sports Awards Ceremony. The event was organised by the Latvian Sports Federations Council, representing 94 Latvian federations, and took place in front of more than 300 athletes with a live national television broadcast.

The award recognises the GGK program’s strong contribution to gender equality and women’s empowerment through karate. The Guardian Girls Karate initiative was the only project distinguished in this category, highlighting its unique social impact.

The GGK program was held from 6 to 9 November 2025 in Riga. It brought together women from across Europe to obtain their Guardian Girls Karate distinctions and expand the programme in their countries.

This recognition reflects not only the sporting quality of the program but also its educational, social, and humanitarian value. It confirms the growing role of karate as a tool for positive change in communities worldwide.

WKF President Antonio Espinós said

“I would like to sincerely thank the Latvian Karate Federation and its President, Toufic Kawar, for their outstanding contribution to the development of the Guardian Girls Karate programme. Their work has had a strong impact not only in Latvia but also around the world, as showcased in the successful activity in Riga last year and their efforts to expand the programme in the country. This award recognises once again the important role of the programme in society and the lasting legacy of karate as a force for education, respect, and empowerment, as well as the commitment of the international karate community to continue expanding initiatives that promote equality, leadership, and opportunities for women through sport.”