📢 Official Invitation: WAKO Development Seminar – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! Dear WAKO Members, We are pleased to invite you to the WAKO Development Seminar , taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from April 23rd to 27th, 2025 . This exclusive seminar is designed to enhance the skills, knowledge, and expertise of coaches, referees, and athletes  from across the Pan-American region and beyond. Hosted in one of the world’s most vibrant and iconic cities, this event offers a unique opportunity to learn from top-tier WAKO instructors , engage in high-level training, and network with fellow kickboxing professionals. 🔹 Date:  April 23-27, 2025🔹 Location:  Rio de Janeiro, Brazil🔹 Focus Areas:  Advanced coaching techniques, refereeing accreditation, and athlete development🔹 Who Should Attend?  Coaches, referees, and athletes looking to elevate their skills and knowledge 📩 More Information & Registration: 📌 Official Registration Required  – Open to all WAKO-affiliated members📌 Limited Spots Available  – Secure your place early! This is an unmissable opportunity to develop and refine your expertise while experiencing the energy and culture of Rio de Janeiro . We look forward to welcoming you to Brazil for an incredible week of learning, training, and professional growth! WAKO

WAKO congratulates the newly elected IOC President, Mrs. Kirsty Coventry.She won knockout in the first election round.She is many firsts. The first female IOC President,the first from Africa,the youngest IOC President in History, at 41 years.Her career in the IOC is exceptional, she is a former Chairwoman of the IOC Athlete Committee and a multiple Olympic Champion in Swimming.Mrs. Coventry is currently serving as the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in the Cabinet of Zimbabwe, since September 2018.She will enter the IOC office on 23 June 2025. WAKO President Roy Baker said:“This election is strong signal of development, diversity and inclusion, which will deliver additional possibilities within the Olympic movement. WAKO look forward to a continued constructive collaboration.Good luck, Kirsty Coventry.”

Dear WAKO members,   By the present we are very pleased of informing you of the 2nd WAKO Online Development Seminar that will be focused on:   TRAIN SMART – ENERGY SYSTEMS OF KICKBOXING   When : on Tuesday 25th March 2025 Time : at 2-3 PM CET Topic : This seminar provides an in-depth analysis of the energy system demands in kickboxing and their implications for training. It highlights sport-specific conditioning strategies, physiological adaptations, and optimal programming to enhance endurance, power, and recovery in kickboxing athletes.   Lecturer : Mr. Cebrail GENÇOĞLU, Member of the WAKO Education and Athletes’ Committee Language : English Duration : 1 hour How to register : online via Sportdata, only with WAKO Sports ID Deadline for registrations : on Sunday 23rd March 2025 Who can join : Everyone interested: kickboxers, coaches, referees, parents, club's medical staff. Instructions on how to register and pay : - Payment of 2,00 € entry fee can be made via PayPal or by Stripe during the registration process.If the payment isn't executed properly, you will stay on the waiting list, without getting link to the webinar. After you register you will see a first popup: "After registration". You need to click on that button. On the second popup: "Paypal Payment” or "by Stripe" you need to click on the preferable option. After that click, you will be forwarded for the payment.   - After successful registration, you will get the link to join the webinar. - All proceeds goes to WAKO Athletes development program. Go to your club/national administrator and ask for registration!   All National Federations/WAKO members are kindly requested to inform all of their affiliated clubs and members of this 2nd WAKO Online Development Seminar.Please share the news on your website and social media platforms!

📢 Official Invitation: 1st Thailand Kickboxing World Cup 2025 Dear WAKO Members, We are excited to invite you to the 1st Thailand Kickboxing World Cup , taking place in Bangkok, Thailand, from April 7th to 12th, 2025 . This landmark event marks the expansion of WAKO World Cups into Thailand, offering athletes, coaches, and teams a world-class competition experience in one of the most dynamic cities in the world. Don’t miss the opportunity to compete at the highest level while enjoying the rich culture and hospitality of Thailand. 🔹 Date:  April 7-12, 2025🔹 Location:  Bangkok, Thailand🔹 Hosted by:  Kickboxing Association of Thailand🔹 Competition Level:  Open to all WAKO-affiliated members and clubs For further details, including registration, accommodation, and event logistics, please refer to the official invitation letter. We encourage all national federations, clubs, and athletes to take part in this historic event. 📩 Contact Information: 📌 Contact Person:  Ms. Tira Buyani Kittikorn📌 Email:  secretaryoffice.kba@gmail.com📌 Phone:  +66 96-262-9222 We look forward to welcoming you to Bangkok for an unforgettable kickboxing experience! WAKO

📢 Official Invitation: Turkish Open WAKO World Cup 2025 Dear WAKO Members, We are pleased to invite you to the Turkish Open WAKO World Cup 2025 , set to take place in Antalya, Turkiye, from May 14th to 18th, 2025 . This prestigious event promises to bring together the best kickboxing athletes from around the world for an unforgettable competition. With Antalya’s world-class venues and stunning surroundings, the tournament will not only be a test of skill and determination but also a fantastic experience for all participants. 🔹 Date:  May 14-18, 2025🔹 Location:  Antalya, Turkiye🔹 Competition Level:  Open to all WAKO-affiliated members and clubs We have attached the official invitation letter , which contains all the essential details regarding registration, accommodation, and event logistics. We kindly ask you to share this information with your affiliated members and clubs to ensure everyone has the opportunity to take part. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the event! We look forward to welcoming you to Antalya for an incredible week of kickboxing action! WAKO

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐀𝐊𝐎 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 1st Seminar:           WEIGHT MANAGEMENT - maintaining peak performance of kickboxers 𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍: Tuesday, 25 February 2025, time: 2-3 PM CET 𝐓𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜: Weight management strategies for combat sports athletes 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐫: Mr Emerson Franchini, MSc and PhD in Sport Sciences 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞: English 𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 1 hour 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫: online via Sportdata,  only with WAKO Sports ID 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: 24th February 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧: Everyone interested: kickboxers, coaches, referees, parents, club's medical staff. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐚𝐲: - Payment of the 2€ entry fee is done via PayPal payment directly on Sportdata during the registration process. If the payment isn't executed properly, you will stay on the waiting list, without the access to the webinar. On the photos it is indicated where to click. After you register, you will see popup : "After registration". You need to click on that button. On the second popup : "Paypal Payment” you need to click on the PayPal icon. After that click, you will be forwarded to PayPal for the payment. - After successful registration, you will get the link to join the webinar. - All proceeds goes to WAKO Athletes development program. This seminar explores evidence-based weight management strategies for combat sports athletes. Topics include periodic nutrition, rapid weight loss methods, and their physiological and performance-related consequences, ensuring athletes achieve weight targets while maintaining peak performance. About the lecturer: Mr Emerson Franchini is MSc and PhD in Sport Sciences, one of the most well-known sport scientists in combat sports, former judo athlete with expertise in combat sports, sports nutrition, and exercise physiology ‼ Mark your Tuesday, 25 February 2025, time: 2-3 PM CET

Kickboxing Excellence on Display at the 4th WAKO India Open International Tournament! The 4th WAKO India Open International Kickboxing Tournament kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony at the K.D. Jadhav Indoor Stadium, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, Delhi. The event was graced by WAKO President Mr. Roy Baker (Ireland), Mr. Romeo Desa (Chairman, Technical Committee - WAKO, Croatia), Dr. Rajeev Tyagi (Pro Chancellor, Shri Venkateswara University, India), and dignitaries from around the globe, highlighting the event’s international prestige. Athletes from diverse nations gathered to showcase their skills, setting the stage for an electrifying competition that celebrates the true spirit of kickboxing. Stay tuned for exclusive highlights and powerful moments from the tournament—capturing the passion, precision, and power of kickboxing at its best! #WAKOIndiaOpen #KickboxingChampionship #WAKO2025 #OneWAKOOneChampion

Congratulations to Mr. Santosh Agrawal on His Election as President of WAKO India! WAKO proudly extends its heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Santosh Agrawal on his election as President of WAKO India. WAKO President Roy Baker shared his thoughts: "Mr. Agrawal is the right man at the right time to lead WAKO India. His leadership and vision will undoubtedly elevate the sport of kickboxing in India to new heights." We look forward to seeing the positive impact of his presidency on the growth and success of kickboxing in India. #OneWAKO #KickboxingLeadership #WAKOIndia

As decided during the last WAKO Board of directors meeting, it was two new members, countries coming from African continent, approved as members of WAKO:   * Federation Beninoise de Kick-Boxing et Disciplines Associees (FBKB-DA) (BENIN) approved as Full Member Chairman: Mr. Narcisse Justin Soglo
 * Bonaire Kickboxing Federation (BONAIRE) approved as Provisional Member Chairman: Mr. Peter Silberie WAKO President Roy Baker commented: “We are delighted to welcome two new national Federations as WAKO members. This shows continued growth of WAKO on a global scale. We now have 132 recognised members which is a clear indication of the strength of the Sport of Kickboxing in the world today. Welcome Benin and Bonaire to the WAKO family!”

The WAKO Gamechangers had their last module in Lausanne on 6 December. It was a successful event organized in the Olympic House (IOC Headquarter) and the day was packed with a designed module where contributors form WAKO was Zsolt Moradi, Daimi Akin and Espen Lund from WAKO and Maureen Ojong, Gaby Meyland and Jeremy Dodson from IOC. Topics was about inclusion of athletes and coaches, engagements through Olympism 365 and Athlete 365. IOC Executive Board Member, Ivo Ferriani dropped by to inspire the young leaders. Irina Gladkikh and Ella Bounous from the Sport Department welcomed the team in the morning. The Gamechanger team was engaged in breakout sessions and gave WAKO a lot of good advise to focus on. It is all about learn and share. WAKO future are bright.

PAN Hellenic Kickboxing Federation (WAKO Greece) has finished the elections and new President of Pan Hellenic Kickboxing Federation is Mr. Antonios Mavrommatis. WAKO President Roy Baker congratulated him for the new presidential mandate wishing him success not only in his organisation but in International relations committee of WAKO as well, where Mr Mavrommatis is a member.

Breaking news: Mr. Salim KAYICI, WAKO IF and WAKO Europe Vice President and the President of WAKO Mediterranean International Kickboxing Federation, was re-elected as the President of the Turkish Kickboxing Federation for the 4 year’s term by receiving the votes of the majority of the delegates at the General Assembly of the Turkish Kickboxing Federation, held in Ankara on 1st December, 2024. WAKO President Roy Baker commented on his re-election: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate WAKO vice president Salim Kayici a successful re-election as a President of the Turkish Federation. Salim has shown great leadership in developing sport of kickboxing in Turkiye making it one of the strongest nations globally for the sport of Kickboxing in a very short period of time. Congratulations to Turkiye Federation, to Salim and his family and the entire Kickboxing community of Turkiye. I really look forward to working alongside Salim in the future, to build and develop a sport of Kickboxing on the global stage.”