Girls around the world need to stop changing their bodies to fit the manipulated weight categories of WKF karate. With fewer weight classes than males of the same age, girls struggle to find a weight that is healthy and maintainable for them. My argument is simple, change the weight classes not our bodies.

   Weight manipulation is a huge problem in karate today. Gaining or losing weight rapidly will prohibit athletic performance and can lead to a lifetime of unhealthy eating habits. The weight classes in the girls ages 14-15 category are as follows, -47kg, -54kg, and +54kg. This means that any athlete over 119 pounds is forced to fight as a "heavyweight" regardless of height or build. The weight categories for boys ages 14-15 are as follows, -52kg, -57kg, -63kg, -70kg, +70kg. Not only are there two extra male divisions, but the weight categories are closer together allowing the male athletes to have more healthy options as far as choosing a class to fight. 

   As a female athlete myself, I have experiences severe body dysmorphia and two types of eating disorders to try and stay in a specific weight class. WKF karate has made female weight categories for a specific body type that is unrealistic and impossible to achieve for some. Here is what needs to change: female and male classes need to have the same number of weight categories, female weight classes need to be more evenly spread out, weight classes should be realistically achievable for every body type, and support should be readily available for athletes to learn the healthiest ways to achieve weight for both male and females. 

  Please sign this petition so athletes around the world can finally be heard.