WAKO WORLDWIDE ISSUE 02 IS OUT NOW! The next generation. One global community. The stories shaping the future of kickboxing. WAKO is proud to announce the release of Issue 02 of WAKO Worldwide, the official monthly magazine bringing together the people, events, achievements and developments driving kickboxing forward across the globe. The September 2026 edition puts the spotlight on the next generation of athletes, following the WAKO World Youth Kickboxing Championships in Jesolo, Italy, where 3,700 athletes from 79 nations, representing 4,874 entries, came together on one global stage. But WAKO Worldwide goes far beyond competition results. This latest 24-page edition explores the people behind the sport, the values that unite our international community and the opportunities shaping kickboxing's future. Inside Issue 02: 🥊 The Next Generation – Celebrating young athletes, their achievements and the friendships that extend beyond the medals. 🌍 Around the World – News and developments from Asia, Europe and the Americas. 🏅 The Road Ahead – Kickboxing's place at the World Games 2029 and the journey towards the European Games 2027. 👩 Women in Sport – Recognising initiatives creating more opportunities for women across kickboxing. 🤝 Beyond the Fight – Para and Inclusive Kickboxing, safeguarding, education and athlete development. 📢 Leadership & Community – Updates from the WAKO General Assembly, coaches, officials and the people helping our sport grow. Featuring a message from WAKO President Roy Baker, this edition reflects the progress, ambition and shared values of an international sporting community that continues to grow stronger. One WAKO. One Champion. One Brand Globally. 📖 WAKO Worldwide – Issue 02 | September 2026 OUT NOW – Discover the stories behind the sport. #WAKO #WAKOWorldwide #Kickboxing #OneWAKO #WorldKickboxing #YouthKickboxing

WAKO has defined the qualification criteria for the European Games 2027, which will take place in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 16–27 June 2027. As in 2023, three kickboxing disciplines have been confirmed for the Games. The official qualifying event will be the WAKO European Kickboxing Championships, taking place in Skopje, North Macedonia, from 6–15 November 2026. The road to Istanbul starts in Skopje!

TO ALL WAKO MEMBERS Dear Presidents and General Secretaries, Please be informed that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published the 2027 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List), which was approved by WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) during its meeting on 10 September 2026 and enters into force on 1 January 2027. You can find the major modifications for the 2027 Prohibited List in the 2027 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes. The Therapeutic Use Exemption Program We would like to remind that Athletes who have a legitimate medical reason for using a prohibited substance or method that is on the List can apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to determine whether they meet the criteria outlined in the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE). Educational resources  WADA has also provided educational resources which can be accessed on the Agency’s Anti-Doping Education and Learning Platform (ADEL), while an Athlete and ASP Guide to the 2027 List is expected in December. We kindly ask all WAKO National Federations to forward this e-mail and information to all of your affiliated clubs and members (athletes, coaches, medical personnel, team officials and other Athlete Support Personnel). Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring that all kickboxing athletes and their support personnel are properly informed about and prepared for the changes to the 2027 Prohibited List. Best regards, Barbara Falsoni WAKO Administration www.wako.sport

Stay updated with the latest news, events, and stories from WAKO and the global kickboxing community. News List WAKO TEST 1 WAKO TEST 1 WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1WAKO TEST 1 Start Now New Study Reveals Benefits of Exercise A recent study published in a scientific journal shows the numerous health benefits of regular exercise. Start Now Political Scandal Unfolds in Capital City Allegations of corruption and misconduct have surfaced against high-ranking officials in the capital city. Start Now Tech Giant Unveils Latest Innovation A leading technology company has introduced a groundbreaking new product that is set to revolutionize the industry. Start Now Celebrity Couple Announces Engagement A well-known celebrity couple has officially announced their engagement through social media posts. Start Now

Learn how to join WAKO and represent your country. Step-by-step process to become a recognized kickboxing federation. Join WAKO Under this section it is possible to find a summary of all the required documents and information to submit a membership application as it is indicated in the WAKO Statutes. Please go through the WAKO Statutes and read especially CHAPTER II, Articles 8 and 9. Here below you can find an extract of the article 9, according to which it is necessary to submit all the information and documentation as listed below (a, b, c, d, e f, g, h) that shall be sent to: WAKO Administrative Office – administration@wako.sport Article 9. Application Procedures 1. National Federations wishing to be admitted as Provisional Members or Full Members by WAKO must pay the relevant application fee payment, which in the event of acceptance of the application will be applied as the first year’s membership fee. 2. The application shall include the following mandatory information/documentation of the applicant (if not in English, to be provided with an English certified translation) to be provided to the Administrative Office: a. a copy of the statutes, regulations and directives of the applicant; b. a chart of the applicant’s organizational structure (including staff), with detailed explanations regarding the composition of its governing bodies, and a list of all its members; c. information as to the recognition of the relevant applicant by the National Olympic Committee of the relevant country; d. information regarding the Sport of Kickboxing activities and relevant events organized by the applicant in the last two years; e. a copy of the audited financial statements of the last two years; f. declaration to accept, recognize and always comply with WAKO Statutes and WAKO regulations, as well as all directives and decisions, as adopted or resolved by the Board of directors; g. declaration to accept that any disputes have to be exclusively solved in accordance with Article 56 of these Statutes; h. any other document relevant in connection with the application and required by the Board of Directors. For information about the application fee as Full Member (in case the association/federation of the applicant has already been officially recognized by its National Olympic Committee or any other national sport authority) or as Provisional member (if not recognized yet by NOC or any other national sport authority) please contact: administration@wako.sport According to the recognition status it is necessary to provide with the payment of the membership application fee, that will be valid as first year membership, to the following bank details: Beneficiary: WAKO IF Bank: Allied Irish Bank Bank Address: Main Street, Leixlip Co Kildare, Ireland IBAN: IE14 AIBK 9336 3531 6570 54 Swift Code: AIBKIE2D WAKO’s legal address: Bahnhofstrasse 23, 6300 Zug CH, Switzerland ATTENTION Please note that the amount received must be in Euro and fully paid, any bank charges or eventual provision due to the currency exchange is on the applicant’s expenses. The annual payment of the membership fee is mandatory for participation to any WAKO IF and WAKO Continental event.

Discover WAKO’s rich history, from the first kickboxing fight in 1970 to becoming the global governing body for the sport. Learn how legends shaped the journey. The Story of WAKO WAKO's history is deeply intertwined with the evolution of kickboxing in the Western world. It all began in 1970 when the legendary Joe Lewis had what is now recognized as the first "kickboxing fight" against Greg Baines in the USA. This was a groundbreaking event—the first time boxing gloves were used, and the term "kickboxing" was mentioned. The sport gained further momentum in 1974 with the inaugural "World Championship in Full Contact" held in Los Angeles. Organized by pioneers Joe Lewis and Mike Anderson, it was a landmark moment for the sport. Kickboxing legends Bill Wallace, Jeff Smith, and Joe Lewis emerged as the first Full Contact World Champions. Building a strong and lasting world organization for kickboxing was a challenging task amidst the dynamic martial arts scene of the time. George Brueckner and Mike Anderson had the vision to create a global platform for the sport, leading to the formation of the "World All-Style Karate Organization," soon to be known as WAKO. WAKO's journey in Europe began in 1976, and the organization was officially founded in Berlin, Germany, on February 26th, 1977, by Mr. Georg Brueckner. The first-ever World Championships in semi and full-contact karate, as it was then called, took place in 1978, featuring 110 competitors from 18 countries. WAKO quickly established official rules and regulations, incorporating hand and leg techniques for amateur fights with a focus on safety. This marked the official adoption of the term "kickboxing," with WAKO positioning itself as the world’s authentic Kickboxing Federation. From 1984 to 2013, WAKO was led by Mr. Ennio Falsoni of Italy. Under his leadership, WAKO solidified its reputation as a respected international sports organization, hosting World Championships every two years across different continents. After decades of dedication, Mr. Falsoni now serves as WAKO’s Honorary President. For those interested in a deeper dive into WAKO's history, his book, "KICKBOXING: The Phenomenology of a SPORT," provides a comprehensive account. (To obtain a copy, contact WAKO HQ at administration@wako.sport or call +39 345 0135521.) Following an acting presidency from 2013 to 2015, Prof. Borislav Pelević of Serbia was elected WAKO President in November 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. Sadly, Prof. Pelević passed away in October 2018. The WAKO Board of Directors then appointed Mrs. Francesca Falsoni, Chairwoman of the WAKO Legal Committee, as Interim President in November 2018. Her leadership guided WAKO through an Extraordinary General Assembly, culminating in the election of Mr. Roy Baker of Ireland as WAKO President on February 2nd, 2019, in Milan, Italy. WAKO Kickboxing Today Kickboxing is a modern combat sport rooted in various traditional martial arts. As a distinct Western response to Eastern martial arts, kickboxing can be practiced both competitively and recreationally, promoting health, strength, and endurance. Today, WAKO proudly represents 130 affiliated nations across five continents, with 105 of these nations officially recognized by their National Olympic Committees or relevant government sports authorities.