The World Championship of WKC (World Karate Confederation) took place between 14 - 17 May 2015 in Riga (the beautiful capital of Latvia, situated at the Baltic Sea coast), which city – due to its monuments and excellent infrastructure was deservedly the Capital of Culture of Europe in 2014.

It gives special importance to the large-scale sport event that after a long time the three founding members of IBSSA (International Bodyguard and Security Services Association) could meet here: HG Prof. George Popper – President of the IBSSA, Lieutenant General of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories (KMFAP), former Director-General, Sir Dr. Fritz Wendland (Germany) – Knight Commander of Cyprus, and Sir Dr. Marko Nicovic (Serbia) – Knight of Malta, who is the president of WKC and beside many other high functions he is the first vice president of the IBSSA as well.

The event provided an opportunity to the founders to meet numerous Latvian members of IBSSA, including the representatives of the Latvian Parliament and the representatives of the Riga City Council.

Sir Vladislav Kirilovskij, Knight of the Sovereign Order of Cyprus and Regional Representative of IBSSA for Baltic republics hosted the first Meeting of Knights and Bodyguards in Riga, in which representatives of several knightly orders and also some candidates to knighthood were present.

During the meeting of friendly atmosphere the new Latvian Prior of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories (KMFAP) was appointed, in the person of Sir Janis Martins Skuja – Knight of Malta.

All present guests welcomed with great delight the return of Sir Eriks Grinbergs – Knight of Malta and IBSSA representative, and his active involvement in the activities of our organizations. It should be noted that Sir Eriks initiated the IBSSA World Martial Arts Festival, which was organised 10 years ago in Riga.

Our congratulations to the leaders of the Latvian member organisation of WKC and its enthusiastic members for the very successful and high-quality World Karate Championship, in which 700 athletes of more than 30 countries from 4 continents participated.

2nd June 2015