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Munich (AP) - World and European champion Jonathan Horne has heavily criticized the World Karate Association WKF for the decision that athletes have to qualify again for the Olympic Games postponed to 2021.
"It was a bitter slap in the face," said Horne to the "Münchner Merkur / TZ" (Thursday).
«I took part in 19 qualifying tournaments and traveled around the world.
It was two years full of hardships, "said the 31-year-old from the Palatinate, who won World Cup gold in the class up to 84 kilograms in 2018.
The European karate championship should be rescheduled for next May in Croatia, in April there will be an additional competition in Morocco.
The qualifying tournament is not due to take place until June.
“It's all very questionable.
That's just not how you deal with athletes, ”complained Horne.
“The world federation cannot first tell us that we are qualified and two months later it says: No, not.
That is not a respectful approach. "
Horne is considered the best karateka in the world.
In 2002 he was accepted into the Rhineland-Palatinate state squad, and since 2004 the Palatinate has been sponsored by the German Karate Association (DKV).
In 2005 he was youth world champion.
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