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 WAKO’s anti-doping initiatives, policies, and education programs to ensure integrity and fairness in kickboxing worldwide. Introduction to Anti-doping The use of doping substances or doping methods to enhance performance is fundamentally wrong and is detrimental to the overall spirit of sport. Drug misuse can be harmful to an Athlete’s health and to other Athletes competing in the sport. It severely damages the integrity, image and value of sport, whether or not the motivation to use drugs is to improve performance. To achieve integrity and fairness in sport, a commitment to a clean field of play is critical. WAKO seeks to maintain the integrity of kickboxing by running a comprehensive anti-doping program that focuses equally on education/prevention and on testing, with consequent sanctioning of those who break the rules. Principles and values of clean sport Anti-doping programs seek to maintain the integrity of sport in terms of respect for rules, other competitors, fair competition, a level playing field, and the value of clean sport to the world. The spirit of sport is the celebration of the human spirit, body and mind. It is the essence of Olympism and is reflected in the values we find in and through sport, including: Health Ethics, fair play and honesty Athletes’ rights as set forth in the Code Excellence in performance Character and Education Fun and joy Teamwork Dedication and commitment Respect for rules and laws Respect for self and other Participants Courage Community and solidarity The spirit of sport is expressed in how we play true. The World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) embodies these values – we believe in a clean and fair play, and doping stands in direct contradiction to what kickboxing represents. We encourage all kickboxers – not just Athletes, but coaches, administrators, medical personnel and all other members of the Athlete entourage – to take the time to review this section and get informed. Why is anti-doping important? Anti-doping rules exist to ensure fairness on the field of play. All rules and the fact that they are monitored and reinforced are designed to prevent any participant from taking an unfair advantage over another. The use of doping substances or methods to enhance performance is not only wrong, but are also harmful to Athletes’ mental and physical health. What is doping? According to the World Anti-Doping Code is defined as the occurrence of one or more of the following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). Most commonly, this means a presence of a prohibited substance in an Athlete’s sample collected during Doping Control. However, it’s not just a positive test that can result in a sanction. In fact, there are 11 Anti-Doping Rule Violations: Presence of a prohibited substance in an Athlete’s sample Use or attempted use of a prohibited substance or method Refusal to submit to sample collection after being notified Failure to file Athlete whereabouts information & missed tests Tampering with any part of the doping control process Possession of a prohibited substance or method Trafficking a prohibited substance or method Administering or attempting to administer a prohibited substance or method to an Athlete Complicity in an ADRV Prohibited association with sanctioned Athlete Support Personnel Discourage or Retaliate other Persons from reporting relevant Anti-Doping information to the authorities. Who is subject to the anti-doping rules? The first four Anti-Doping Rule Violations on the above list apply only to Athletes since they refer to the obligation not to take banned substances and the obligation to submit to testing. However, the remaining seven types of ADRVs apply to both the Athletes and the Athlete Support Personnel, such as coaches and team doctors, or anyone else working with the Athlete. National and International Federation administrators, officials and sample collection staff may also be liable for their conduct under the World Anti-Doping Code. Everybody involved in kickboxing must respect the World Anti-Doping Code and may be liable for committing an Anti-Doping Rule Violation. Who governs anti-doping? The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is the independent international body responsible for harmonizing anti-doping policies in all sports and all countries. The World Anti-Doping Code (Code) is the core document that harmonizes anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport organizations around the world. The Code is supplemented by 8 International Standards, including the Prohibited List that is updated at least annually. As a Signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code, WAKO is responsible for implementing an effective and Code-compliant anti-doping program for the sport of kickboxing. WAKO has therefore delegated the management of its clean sport activities to the International Testing Agency (ITA), an independent organisation that manages anti-doping programs on behalf of International Federations and Major Event Organisers. WAKO’s anti-doping program is not limited to doping controls, it also includes activities like Risk Assessment, management of Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) for international-level Athletes, Results Management and Education.

Explore WAKO’s Anti-Doping Rules and Reports, ensuring fair competition, athlete integrity, and compliance with global anti-doping standards. Wako Anti-doping Rules and Reports WAKO/WADA work to ensure that athletes benefit from the same anti-doping protocols and protections, no matter the nationality, the sport, or the country where tested. The ultimate goal is safe and fair competition worldwide. WADA website What is WADA? video The World Anti-Doping Code (Code) is the core document that harmonizes anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport organizations and among public authorities around the world. In the below menu you can find the current in force WAKO Anti-doping rules and annual activity resports. WAKO Anti-Doping Rules_update_01.01.2021 (308 KB) WAKO Anti-Doping Report_2021 (200 KB) WAKO Anti-Doping Report_2017 (821 KB) WAKO Anti-Doping Report_2022 (821 KB) WAKO Anti-Doping Report_2019 (200 KB) WAKO Anti-Doping Report_2016 (308 KB)

Explore WAKO’s full calendar of events, including championships, seminars, online courses, and more. Stay updated on global kickboxing activities. WAKO Calendar 2025/2026_at December 2025 Upcoming WAKO Events December 2025 Today Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 WAKO Age and Weight Categories 2025 WAKO Calendar 2024 at 31.12.2024 (Final)