THE ORGANIZATION
World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO)
The World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) is an international organization of kickboxing.
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The governing body of amateur kickboxing certified by WAKO is made up of two organizations:
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WAKO; for kickboxers competing at an amateur level
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WAKO PRO; for those competing at a professional level
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In addition to holding world championship events, WAKO sanctions the champions of kickboxing.
WAKO
History - Humble Beginnings
Georg Bruckner (right)
The founder was Mr. Georg Bruckner from Berlin, who promoted the first ever World Championships in semi and full contact karate (as it was called in those days) back in 1978 with 110 competitors representing 18 countries.
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WAKO immediately created the rules and regulations for the new fighting sports and acted, since the very beginning, as the authentic Kickboxing Federation in the world. In our Championships, only national teams are accepted. Each member country can present only 1 competitor in each weight class, the best, "la creme de la creme".
Numbers Count
Therefore WAKO guarantees the best possible kickboxing fights and its gold medallists are true champions. Today WAKO can count on 132 affiliated nations in the 5 continents, and in the greatest majority of cases, WAKO unites the strongest and best national kickboxing organisations.WAKO has today 85 affiliated national federations which are officially recognized by either their National Olympic Committees or by their Highest Government Sport Authorities.
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Today WAKO counts on a market of kickboxers estimated to be around 3,000,000 participants and no less than 25,000 clubs around the globe. We promote nationally and internationally, more than 1,000 amateur events a year . These figures speak for themselves.
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Now officially recognised by IOC (under the auspices of AIMS), GAISF and OCA, WAKO is growing steadily all over the world promoting regularly continental and world championships and organises “open” events that spread the word about our movement, attracting thousands of spectators to sports-arenas.
IOC RECOGNITION
Recognition by IOC
(International Olympic Committee)
​WAKO is now recognised by IOC - as of 30 Nov 2018
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Organisations recognised by IOC:
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Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF)
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Association of the International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF)
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Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federation(ARISF)
MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATION
WAKO Membership & Affiliation
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WAKO is the sole Kickboxing member of various highly recognised international organizations such as:
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Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF)
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International World Games Association (IWGA)
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Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF)
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Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport (AIMS)
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International University Sports Federation (FISU)
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World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
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International Fair Play Committee
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Peace and Sport
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International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG)
QUOTE
" Our strength lies precisely both in our numbers and quality. "
– Ennio Falsoni, Honourary and Founding President, WAKO Kickboxing International