The Caribbean Karate Federation (CKF), or Federación Caribeña de Karate, is the regional governing body for karate in the Caribbean. The Federation brings together its member National Karate Federations to promote the development of Karate-Do, strengthen regional cooperation, organize Caribbean competition and development activities, and represent the interests of Caribbean karate within the continental and international karate structures.
Our History
The Caribbean Karate Federation was founded in Cuba in 2006, during the Congress of member countries of the Confederación Centroamericana y del Caribe de Karate (CCCK) held in conjunction with that year’s CCCK Championships.
Ramiro Chirino of Cuba served as the Federation’s first President, with Selwyn Tom Pack of Trinidad and Tobago serving as First Vice-President.
The inaugural CKF Caribbean Karate Championships were originally scheduled to take place in Trinidad and Tobago the following year. Due to circumstances of force majeure, however, the first edition was ultimately held in Suriname in 2015.
Since its establishment, the Federation has continued to bring Caribbean karate nations together through competition, technical development, institutional cooperation and representation within the wider Pan American and international karate community.
CKF Leadership, 2018
Pictured above are members of the Caribbean Karate Federation leadership in 2018: José Luis Ramírez, President (Dominican Republic); William Millerson, Vice-President (Curaçao); Phillip Kalloo, General Secretary (Trinidad and Tobago); and Kenneth Sijp, Treasurer (Suriname).
Pictured below is President José Luis Ramirez Feliz (right) and Mr. Tony Menez, PKF Treasurer and WKF Executive Committee Member in 2023 in Santo Domingo
Picured below is Mr. Phillip Kalloo (Trinidad) in 2018 at Carribean Karte Championships
OUR OBJECTIVES
From its foundation, the CKF has worked to strengthen, coordinate and represent Karate-Do throughout the Caribbean. Among its principal objectives are to:
Promote cordial and constructive relationships among its members and support the coordination of Karate-Do activities throughout the Caribbean.Protect and advance the interests of Caribbean Karate-Do at the regional, continental and international levels.Organize, in collaboration with affiliated National Federations, the CKF Caribbean Karate Championships at regular intervals whenever possible.Support the coordination and development of Karate-Do within the Caribbean Games and the wider CANOC region.Promote the development and dissemination of Karate-Do techniques, knowledge, values and spirit.Apply and promote technical standards consistent with the rules and regulations of the Pan American Karate Federation (PKF) and World Karate Federation (WKF).Collaborate with regional and international Olympic organizations.Support the work and development of the PKF within the Caribbean region.Collaborate with the WKF, PKF, CCCK, CANOC, National Olympic Committees, National Karate Federations and other relevant sport organizations on matters affecting the interests and development of Karate-Do within the Caribbean.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2023–2027
The Executive Committee of the Caribbean Karate Federation for the 2023–2027 term was officially sworn in in Santo Domingo. The ceremony was conducted by Tony Mendez, Treasurer of the Pan American Karate Federation (PKF) and a member of the World Karate Federation (WKF) Executive Committee.
Caribbean Karate Championships
The CKF Caribbean Karate Championships provide a central meeting point for the region’s athletes, coaches, referees and National Federations. Beyond competition, the Championships strengthen regional relationships and contribute to the technical development and visibility of Caribbean karate.
2023 Caribbean Karate Championships — Dominican Republic
2023 Caribbean Karate Championships — Curaçao
Strengthening Caribbean Karate Through Development
From October 29 to November 2, 2025, athletes and representatives from eight Caribbean nations — the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Curaçao, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and Suriname — gathered at the Dominican Olympic Training Center (Albergue Olímpico Dominicano) for a regional development camp focused on strengthening athletes’ technical and tactical performance.
The initiative reflected more than technical preparation. It demonstrated the value of Caribbean cooperation, shared knowledge and collective development.
The CKF expresses its appreciation to Douglas Brose of Brazil, three-time World Champion and WKF Commission Member, for sharing his knowledge and experience with Caribbean athletes.
Economic, geographic and structural challenges may differ throughout our region, but cooperation allows Caribbean karate to continue progressing together. The strength of the Caribbean lies in the commitment, resilience and collective work of its National Federations.
Pictured above WKF Commission Member and World Champion Douglas Brose from Brazil leading a develoment camp for Caribbean Athletes in Santo Domingo 2025.
Caribbean Leadership and Legacy
The development of Caribbean karate has been shaped by generations of leaders who strengthened both the regional movement and the Caribbean’s presence within continental and international karate.
William Millerson – Curaçao
William “Junior” Millerson of Curaçao was one of the Caribbean’s most influential figures in the international development of karate. An accomplished athlete, coach and sport administrator, he was a World Championships bronze medallist, a two-time European Championships medallist and winner of the first Pan American Karate Championships. His leadership extended far beyond competition: he became Secretary General of the Pan American Karate Federation (PKF) in 1986, served as PKF President from 1993 to 2013 and subsequently became its Honorary President. He was elected to the World Karate Federation (WKF) Executive Committee in 1994 and served as WKF First Vice-President from 1998 to 2014, contributing to international karate governance for more than three decades.
Millerson also remained deeply connected to Caribbean karate, including serving as Vice-President of the Caribbean Karate Federation. His wider contribution to sport included leadership of the Netherlands Antilles Olympic Committee and the Curaçao Federation of Sports. In recognition of his achievements, he was appointed a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 2011. Following his passing in Curaçao in June 2020, the WKF described him as one of the most significant personalities in the recent history of the sport. Curaçao Chronicle
His legacy continued to be honoured after his passing. In 2022, on the eve of the PKF Senior Championships in Curaçao, family members, friends and international sport leaders gathered to commemorate his contribution to karate, with WKF President Antonio Espinós and senior PKF and WKF officials participating in the tribute. FedO Karate
Further reading from the World Karate Federation:
WKF: “WKF mourns passing of WKF Executive Committee member William Millerson”
WKF: “Late Karate icon William Millerson honoured in Curaçao”
Tony Mendez – Puerto Rico
Mr. Tony Mendez of Puerto Rico has played an important role in the development of karate in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and the wider Pan American region for several decades. His contribution has been particularly significant in strengthening Puerto Rico’s position as a meeting point for regional and continental karate and in creating greater opportunities for Caribbean athletes to participate in major international competition.
Mendez was closely involved in the development of the Pan American karate structure during its formative years. After competing internationally himself, he moved into administration and became part of the Pan American Karate Federation and the World Karate Federation leadership.
Puerto Rico became an important host for Pan American Karate during this period. Mendez contributed to the organization and development of major regional and continental events in Puerto Rico held there in the early 1990s. His contribution was also important within the Central American and Caribbean sporting movement. Mendez worked to advance karate’s recognition and inclusion within the Central American and Caribbean Games structure, helping create a pathway for karate athletes from the region to compete within one of the Caribbean and Central American sport system’s oldest regional events within teh Olympic movement.
Through his work in Puerto Rico, the Central American and Caribbean region,the Pan American Karate Federation, the World Karate Federation Mr. Mendez helped create opportunities and institutional connections that continue to benefit Caribbean karate today.
Pictured below are Tony Mendez (Puerto Rico), William Millerson (Curaçao), Dr. José García Maañón, President of the Pan American Karate Federation, and James Johnson (Canada). The photograph reflects the longstanding presence and contribution of Caribbean leaders within the continental karate structure.
Pictured below is the President of the Carribean Karate Federation José Luis Ramírez and Mr. Keith Joseph, President of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) at a recent meeting in 2025.
