Polish Karate Federation
In 2016, the International Olympic Committee adopted a resolution on karate as the thirtieth Olympic discipline to perform at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The Polish Olympic Committee granted legal membership for the Polish Karate Association. According to the decision of the Ministry of Sport and Tourism in Poland, PZK is the only organization that can represent and use Polish national symbols when participating in foreign competitions.
Thomas Carroll (martial artist)
Carrol was a former jiujitsu practitioner before learning Karate under George Cofield. Carroll was a member of the USA Karate Hall of Fame, chairman of USA Karate New York as Treasurer, and holding positions as head coach. He was key in getting karate recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Considered by some to be an American martial arts pioneer he defeated many famous martial artists including Bill "Superfoot" Wallace in tournaments. He also trained actors Gregory Hines and Ralph Macchio of Karate Kid. He is considered to be a contemporary of the Chuck Norris and Joe Lewis An 8th degree blackbelt he was inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame in 1969. Thomas was also featured in various magazines including Black Belt Magazine and Official Karate Magazine.