One of the biggest forces of the sport in Asia and a Karate personality in Kazakhstan, Zhastalap Sanauov passed away.
He was a member of the WKF Executive Committee member since 2018, and for the last seven years, he acted as a member of the Sports Committee of the Asian Karate Federation.
A true enthusiast of the sport, he was a 7th-Dan Black Belt; he represented Kazakhstan in international competitions from 1992 to 1994 and previously, he competed in international tournaments as a member of the Soviet Union national team from 1989 to 1992.
Sanauov was a Karate teacher and also acted as President of the Kazakhstan national federation from 1994 to 2005. Since that year, he was the Vice-President of the national federation of his country.
The thoughts and sympathies of the Boec.com, WKF and the whole Karate world are with Mr Sanauov’s family and friends as well as the entire Kazakhstan Karate community at this difficult time.
“Zhastalap will be truly, truly missed. His devotion to Karate, his efforts to turn Kazakhstan into a powerhouse of the sport in Asia, and especially his kindness make his passing an irreparable loss for the Karate family. We will always remember his optimism and generosity. He was a true friend for all of us,” said WKF President Antonio Espinós.
