International Wado Federation

The International Wado Federation (IWF) was initially established in 1982 as the Alliance of International Wado-ryu (AIWa) to facilitate ‘ex-pat’ British Wadokai Clubs overseas (namely Canada, France and Italy).

For many autonomous Wado organisations, however, demand for a ‘Wado-only’ world governing body became more important than the ‘All-styles Sport-karate Governing Bodies’, and AIWa found itself approached by many other national and international Wado groups seeking Wado unity.

In 2010 Gary E Swift Hanshi decided to restructure AIWa and to re-establish it. The International Wado Federation was created to act as an Alliance for some and a Governing Body for others, allowing unbound flexibility for support and cooperation for the interests of all Wado organisations within its membership; and those wishing to join.

Over the years the IWF has accumulated many organisations from all three of the ‘mainstream’ Wado organisations to become one of the world-leaders in peaceful world Wado unity. Wado does not do MMA or ‘all-styles sport-karate’, so therefore these ‘mainstream’ governing bodies have no place within our Wado. We practise Wado and are very proud of our Wado history. We do not want it watered down.

The IWF allows more than one national organisation to join. So whether an organisation follows the syllabus designated as that of Wadokai, Wadoryu, Wado, or even Sport-Wado, they are all welcome within our Wado family.

The IWF is a non-profit Governing Body for ‘professionally run’ (amateur and/or professional) karate schools and organisations, and not a commercially motivated or profit-based karate business.

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Mission Statement

To preserve both the traditional development and the evolution of Wado Karate. We strive to accomplish this in an environment free of intimidation, politics, and other negative distractions. We further seek to foster a spirit of fellowship and understanding by welcoming all like-minded individuals, regardless of race, gender, ethnic background, national origin, or physical handicap. All accepted member-groups will be granted ‘self-governance & development’ to encourage positive growth within their own autonomous infrastructure, without interference from the International Wado Federation.

IWF Associate Members are self-governing ‘autonomous’ members and will be considered ‘Allied Members’ to the IWF. The IWF will have no control over Associate Members as they will have their own Constitution/Rules & Regulations, Insurance Procedures and Member Protection Policies, etc., (including Child & Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy) for self-governance within their own Group or Association.

For those who seek a more closer affiliation (Direct/Full Membership, etc.), please consider membership with our National or Continental Representatives.

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Original President’s Message

In the UK alone we have been waiting over 50 years for an all-styles national governing body that could cater successfully for the needs of all karate-ka in England… This has still not happened. And personally I feel that, due to the diverse nature of all the individual styles of karate, it will never happen.

You cannot successfully unify tradition with sport, someone always loses out down the line, somewhere; it can only survive separately.

As a traditionalist, what benefits have we seen by being consistently part of (and paying huge amounts of money for) any of the All-Styles Sport Karate Governing Bodies; which have very little in their constitutions and agendas for the traditionalists who want to progress in their own style?

Let us be proud of our heritage and the karate we practise – Follow your style!

Gary E Swift Hanshi

“There is nothing right or wrong, there is only ‘thinking’ that makes it so.”

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