WAKO is fostering participation of persons with disabilities in para-kickboxing and promoting their inclusion in sport activities as a very important segment of their life, ensuring their inclusion in all aspects of society. An estimated 1.3 billion people experience significant disability. This represents 16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 of us. WAKO launched the first para-kickboxing demonstration back in 2016, when  five para-kickboxers aged 15–18 young para-kickboxers from Maribor presented their skills during the European Kickboxing Championships.  That same year, Tomaž Barada, kickboxing champion and member of the WAKO Board of Directors, organized an auction of his most significant kickboxing trophies to raise funds for continuing work with inclusive groups in his sports center. In the years that followed, the development continued with the creation of rules and the formal definition of the para-kickboxing discipline, which required a multidisciplinary approach and strong involvement from WAKO’s expert committees. Soon, a dedicated Para and Inclusive Committee was established, with Jesús Equía (ESP) elected as its Chair. In 2024, demonstrations of para-kickboxing were held during the European Championships in Athens, and later during the European Junior Championships in Italy. In the Pan American region—especially in Argentina, Venezuela, and Brazil—para-kickboxing has also been actively developed, with athletes performing within continental championships since 2023. This year, at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi, para-kickboxing competition in technique performance was held for the first time, where athletes were evaluated according to the rules and medals were awarded.

"On this World Kickboxing Day, November 30th, 2025, let us celebrate the strength and unity we've forged together. Thank you to every athlete, coach, president, official and supporter for your dedication and spirit. Together, we have built a vibrant community that transcends borders and inspires greatness in each other. Here’s to where we are and the incredible journey ahead!" WAKO President - Mr. Roy Baker #onewako #onechampion

Women in Sport Committee Meeting Abu Dhabi, November 25, 2025 Athlete Corner • Updates from athletes on current projects and achievements • Discussion of challenges faced and support needed • Sharing best practices and inspirational stories Next Activities • Planning upcoming initiatives and events • Coordination with partners and stakeholders 8 March activities • Proposals: New ideas for celebrating the day • Awards: Recognition of outstanding contributions in women’s sport • Interviews: Media engagement with athletes and committee members • Celebration: Activities to highlight the day Regular Engagement • Two interviews scheduled every month with athletes, coaches, or leaders in sport • Aim: Increase visibility and promote women’s participation New technologiem Workshops • Upcoming workshop focused on AI applications in sport • Topics: Data analysis, performance tracking, and innovation in women’s sport • Opportunity for collaboration and knowledge.

Learn about Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE) and WAKO’s commitment to clean sport. Access guidelines and application details. Therapeutic Use Exemptions (Tue) What Is A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)? Athletes may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take medications or undergo procedures. If the medication or method an athlete is required to use to treat an illness or condition is prohibited as per the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List, a TUE may give that athlete the authorization to use that substance or method while competing without invoking an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) and applicable sanction. Applications for TUEs are evaluated by a panel of physicians, the TUE Committee (TUEC). What are the Criteria for Granting a TUE? All of the four following criteria must be met (for more details, please refer to the WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE) Article 4.2): The athlete has a clear diagnosed medical condition which requires treatment using a prohibited substance or method. The therapeutic use of the substance will not, on the balance of probabilities, produce significant enhancement of performance beyond the athlete’s normal state of health. The prohibited substance or method is an indicated treatment for the medical condition, and there is no reasonable permitted therapeutic alternative. The necessity to use that substance or method is not a consequence of the prior use (without a TUE), of a substance or method which was prohibited at the time of use. Who Should Apply for a TUE? Where and When to Apply? Athletes who are subject to anti-doping rules would need a TUE to take a prohibited substance or use a prohibited method. You should verify with WAKO to know to whom you need to apply and if you can apply retroactively. First, check if the required medication or method you intend to take or use is prohibited as per the WADA Prohibited List. You may also use a ‘check your medication’ online tool or ask your NADO if it has one. You have a responsibility to inform your physician(s) that you are an Athlete bound to anti-doping rules. You and your physician(s) should check the Prohibited List for the substance/method you are prescribed. If the substance/method is prohibited, discuss non-prohibited alternatives. If there are none, apply for a TUE. Remember, Athletes have the ultimate responsibility. Contact your NADO or WAKO if you are having difficulties. Then, contact WAKO Antidoping Officer at gianlorenzo.daniele@yahoo.it to determine your competition level and TUE application requirements. If It Is Determined That You Are an International-Level Athlete: WAKO Definition of International-Level Athlete is as follows: An Athlete who is National Champion in that given year and subsequent years where he/she is the official national Champion as recognized by the WAKO National Governing Body. An Athlete who has competed in a WAKO World Cup, or A/B class event in the last two years as defined in the WAKO Calendar. You must apply to WAKO in advance, as soon as the need arises, unless there are emergency or exceptional circumstances. For substances prohibited in-competition only, you should apply for a TUE at least 30 days before your next competition unless one of the exceptions on retroactive TUEs (see below) applies. If You Already Have a TUE Granted by Your National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO): National-level athletes must apply for a TUE to the NADO of their home country. WAKO will automatically recognize any TUE granted by any NADO declared compliant by WADA, in accordance with Article 7.1 (a) of the World Anti-Doping Code. Can I Get a Retroactive TUE? You may only apply retroactively for a TUE to WAKO if: You required emergency or urgent treatment of a medical condition. There was insufficient time, opportunity, or other exceptional circumstances that prevented you from submitting the TUE application, or having it evaluated, before getting tested. You are a lower-level athlete who is not under the jurisdiction of WAKO or NADO and were tested. You tested positive after using a substance Out-of-Competition that is only prohibited In-Competition (e.g., glucocorticoids). How to Apply to WAKO for a TUE? WAKO encourages submitting TUE applications via ADAMS, together with the required medical information. If you do not have an ADAMS account yet, please contact gianlorenzo.daniele@yahoo.it to have it set up. What Happens at Major Events? A Major Event Organization (MEO) requires athletes to apply for the recognition of their TUE if they wish to use a prohibited substance or method in connection with the Event. Will My Medical Information Be Treated in a Confidential Manner? All the information contained in a TUE application, including the supporting medical information and any other information related to the evaluation of your TUE request, is kept strictly confidential and treated in accordance with the Athlete’s Declaration contained in the ADAMS TUE process and the WAKO TUE Application Form. Contact Information For any further information and questions in relation to WAKO’s personal information practices, please contact WAKO’s Data Protection Officer at v.cocca@crclex.com . If you have doubts about which organization you should apply for a TUE or the recognition process, or any other questions about TUEs, please contact WAKO Antidoping Officer at gianlorenzo.daniele@yahoo.it .

Learn about the consequences of doping in kickboxing. Understand the impact on athletes’ careers, health, and the integrity of the sport. Consequences of doping Please download here below the listed material: Social consequences of Doping (285 KB) WAKO Athlete Supplements Handbook (2015) (442 KB)

Understand the rights and responsibilities of athletes, support personnel, and stakeholders under the World Anti-Doping Code. Promoting fair play in kickboxing. Rights And Responsibilities Athletes, Athlete Support Personnel and other groups who are subject to anti-doping rules all have rights and responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Code. Part Three of the Code outlines all the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in the anti-doping system. It is especially important that Athletes and Athlete Support Personnel know and understand Code Art. 21 (Additional Roles and Responsibilities of Athletes and Other Persons), particularly Art. 21.1 (Roles and Responsibilities of Athletes), Art. 21.2 (Roles and Responsibilities of Athlete Support Personnel) and Art. 21.3 (Roles and Responsibilities of Other Persons Subject to the Code). Athletes’ Rights This section presents a summary of the key Athlete rights. It is important that both Athletes and Athlete Support Personnel know and understand these. Ensuring that Athletes are aware of their rights and these are respected is vital to the success of clean sport. Athlete rights exist throughout the Code and International Standards and they include: Equality of opportunity Equitable and Fair Testing programs Medical treatment and protection of health rights Right to justice Right to accountability Whistleblower rights Right to education Right to data protection Rights to compensation Protected Persons Rights Rights during a Sample Collection Session Right to B sample analysis Other rights and freedoms not affected Application and standing The Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act sets out these rights and responsibilities. Athletes’ Responsibilities It is equally important that Athletes are aware of their anti-doping responsibilities. Athlete Support Personnel should also familiarise themselves with these in order to be able to support their Athletes. These include: Knowing and following WAKO Anti-Doping Rules and any other applicable Anti-Doping Rules Taking full responsibility for what you ingest – make sure that no prohibited substance enters your body and that no prohibited methods are used Informing medical personnel of your obligations as an Athlete Cooperating with WAKO and other Anti-Doping Organisations (WADA, ITA, NADOs) Being available for sample collection Not working with coaches, trainers, physicians or other Athlete Support Personnel who are ineligible on account of an ADRV, or who have been criminally convicted or disciplined in relation to doping. Further details of these roles and responsibilities can be found in Code Art. 21.1. Rights and Responsibilities of Athlete Support Personnel and other groups Like Athletes, Athlete Support Personnel and other members of WAKO also have rights and responsibilities as per the Code. These include: Being knowledgeable of anti-doping policies and rules which are applicable to you or the Athlete(s) you support Using your influence on Athlete values and behaviours to foster anti-doping attitudes Complying with all anti-doping policies and rules which are applicable to you or the Athlete(s) you support Cooperating with the Athlete testing program Disclosing to WAKO and the NADO whether you have committed any Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) within the previous ten years Cooperating with anti-doping organisations investigating ADRVs Further details of these roles and responsibilities can be found in Code Art. 21.2 and 21.3. The Principle of Strict Liability Athletes are at the heart of clean sport. Their actions, behaviors and choices are fundamental as to ensure a doping-free sport. The Principle of Strict Liability stipulates that Athletes are solely responsible for the presence of any banned substance in their organisms, regardless of how the substance got there or whether there was the intention to cheat. As an Athlete it is therefore necessary to: know and respect the anti-doping sporting rules; always be willing to undergo doping controls; take responsibility for what is ingested or consumed; inform your Support Personnel that you are prohibited from using substances or methods prohibited under the WADA List; ensure that any medical treatment you receive does not lead to an anti-doping rule violations; inform NADO and your International Federation of any anti-doping rule violations committed in the last ten years; collaborate with NADO in the investigation of anti-doping rule violations; disclose the identity of its Support Personnel at the request of NADO.