Hello, my name is Stefanny Hornschuch, I am Brazilian, autistic level 1 with ADHD, I have grade 3 planism in both feet. I am currently the 2025 São Paulo and Brazilian karate champion, competing in the Para-Karate category since 2025. My country does not allow me to compete in the South American, Pan-American, and World championships, claiming that I do not have an intellectual disability and that my diagnosis was made as an adult, which is not accepted by the WKF. I want this right to inclusion guaranteed by the WKF. I am 33 years old and was diagnosed at age 31. 

"I’ve been training since I was eight years old, but for a long time, the results never matched the work."

For years, I pushed myself in mainstream categories, often training twice as hard as those around me without ever really understanding why I couldn't bridge the gap. Having been diagnosed with autism as a child, I was used to facing barriers, but the dojo was supposed to be the one place where hard work was the only currency. Instead, I found myself challenged, doubted, and denied opportunities—simply because I didn’t "look" like I had a disability.

Finding my place in Para-Karate changed everything. It was the moment I finally blossomed. The work I had been doing for two decades finally became visible, and I saw that I didn’t need to change—the category did.

I started K23 Global because I don’t want the next generation of athletes to spend years wondering why they aren't enough. I want us to stop fighting for a seat at the table and start building our own. This project is about determination, spirit, and passion. It’s time for athletes like me to stop being invisible and start shining on the world stage. Our time is now.

"We need to be back in the WKF. Let’s do it together!"

At 20 years old, Isaac Alisson—known to the community as Zakk—is a rising force in Brazilian Para-Karate. Training out of the A.K.I. Academy in Itapipoca, Ceará, under the leadership of Sensei Claudiene Teixeira, Zakk is a dedicated competitor in the intellectual disability category.

Zakk joins the K23 Global Project with a clear mission: to unite athletes across borders and reclaim their place on the world stage. His passion for the sport and his drive for inclusivity make him a vital pillar of our Brazilian alliance. For Zakk, Para-Karate isn't just a category; it's a movement for fairness and global recognition. Here we go!

"We did it Sensei"

My journey began in February 2018 after watching the legendary ‘Karate Kid’ film.

Shortly after watching this film, I joined Hajime Hiro Llandudno Karate. When I first started, I was quiet and struggled with focus, never having played a team sport before. But Karate changed me.

Karate has not only taught me discipline and self-confidence, but it has also introduced me to amazing friends and their families and an incredible Sensei who has supported me every step of the way. In January 2020, I competed for the first time, and I now hold multiple national and international medal.