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

Introducing WAKO Worldwide — Our New Global E-Zine We’re pleased to launch WAKO Worldwide, a new publication bringing together the people, stories and achievements shaping our global kickboxing community. The first edition, August 2026, features a welcome from WAKO President Roy Baker, news from across the continents, championship highlights and a look ahead to the World Championships in Jesolo. Inside, we also celebrate the development of young athletes, women in sport, inclusive kickboxing and the partnerships supporting our sport’s future—all brought to life through photography from the WAKO community. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, referee, supporter or national federation representative, we invite you to explore the first issue and share it with your community. Read the first edition of WAKO Worldwide below.

Meet the WAKO Committees driving the development and governance of kickboxing worldwide. Explore their roles and contributions. WAKO Committees WAKO’s Committees play a vital role in shaping the organization’s policies, initiatives, and growth. Comprised of experts and representatives from across the kickboxing community, each committee focuses on specific areas such as rules, athlete development, integrity, and governance. These dedicated teams ensure that WAKO operates at the highest standards, promoting fairness, inclusivity, and excellence in the sport of kickboxing worldwide. Athletes Committee Chairman Mr. Zsolt Moradi (Hungary) Members Mr. Juan Leonardo Corrales (Argentina) Mr. Andres Garcia Gandara (Guatemala) Ms. Guillermina Barat (Argentina) Mr. Mahmoud Alkhatib (Jordan) Ms. Sumaya Aldabbagh (Saudi Arabia) Mr. Kian Golpira (Norway) Ms. Paulina Aleksandra Jarzmik (Poland) Ms. Meryl Swidler (USA) Mr. Alexandra Georgieva (Bulgaria) Mr. Billy Bryce (Great Britain) Mr. Cebrail Gencoglu (Turkiye) Arbitration Committee Chairman Mr. Robert Malcolm Fox (Switzerland/Jamaica) Members Mr. Joachim Knoll (Germany) Mrs. Melissa Magliana (USA/Italy/Switzerland) Mrs. Kendra Potts (UK) Mr. Andrea Gamba (Switzerland) Coaching Committee Chairman Mr. Daimi Akin (Norway) Members Mr. Michael Gerdenitsch (Austria) Mr. Adil Alyev (Azerbaijan) Mr. Samuel Gagnon (Canada) Mrs. Julia Irmen (Germany) Mrs. Sharon Gill (Great Britain) Mr. Nikos Memmos (Greece) Mr. Mehrdad Khoshsolook (Iran) Mr. Hawbeer Abdullah Salam Salihi (Iraq) Mr. Dave Heffernan (Ireland) Mr. Roberto Capogna (Italy) Mr. Radoslaw Laskowski (Poland) Mr. Dejan Pavic (Serbia) Mrs. Seda Duygu Aygun (Turkey) Development Committee Chairman Mr. Espen Lund (Norway) Vice Chairman Mr. Zsolt Moradi (Hungary) Members Mr. Nazri Sutari (Singapore) Mrs. Angelina Pelevic (Serbia) Mrs. Lucia Feckova (Slovakya) Mr. A’day Ali Abdulraheem Almaharmeh (Jordan) Mr. Elijah Everill (Great Britain) Mr. Timothy Bos (Italy) Mr. Andres Garcia (Guatemala) Mr. Parfait Doukrou (Ivory Coast) Mr. Kaan Ozgur Kayici (Turkey) Mr. Soren Koefoed (Denmark) Education & Student Committee Chairman Mr. Dino Belosevic (Croatia) Members Mr. Jake Riddell (Ireland) Mr. Cebrail Gencoglu (Turkey) Mrs. Valencia Yip (Singapore) Mr. Matej Babic (Croatia) Entourage Committee Chairman Mr. Espen Lund (Norway) Members Mr. Zsolt Moradi (Hungary) Mr. Daimi Akin (Norway) Mr. Romeo Desa (Croatia) Mrs. Katarzyna Kociszewska-Palacz (Poland) Mr. Yury Lakhtikov (Estonia) Mr. Massimiliano Bianco (Italy) Disciplinary and Ethical Committee Chairman Mr. Nikolaus Gstaettner (Austria) Members Mr. Romeo Desa (Croatia) Mr. Thomas Steenberg (Norway) Mr. Kiandro Lebon (Belgium) Mr. Lamija Ogric (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Mrs. Rabia Ozge Kayici (Turkey) Grading Syllabus and Standards Committee Chairman Mr. Tomaz Barada (Slovenia) Members Mr. Pablo Acuna (Chile) Mr. Willem Jacob Bos (Italy) Mr. Nizar Taleb (Palestine) Mrs. Denitsa Milenkova (Bulgaria) Mrs. Eleftheria Panagopoulou (Greece) Mr. Peter Edwards (Great Britain) Mr. Santosh Kumar Agrawal (India) Mr. Mark Greubel (USa) Innovation and Technology Committee Chairman Mrs. Francesca Falsoni (Italy) Members Mr. Dominik Hoelbling (Austria) Mr. Cebrail Gencoglu (Turkey) International Relation Committee Chairman Mr. Espen Lund (Norway) Members Mr. Roy Baker (Ireland) Mr. Donato Milano (Italy) Mr. Salim Kayici (Turkey) Mr. Antonios Mavrommatis (Greece) Legal Committee Chairwoman Mrs. Francesca Falsoni (Italy) Members Mr. Nikolaus Gstaettner (Austria) Mr. Kiandro Lebon (Belgium) Media Committee Chairwoman Mrs. Marijana Pelevic (Serbia) Members Mrs. Barbara Falsoni (Italy) Mr. Danny Slevin (Ireland) Mr. Marek Krugol (Estonia) Medical, Health & Anti Doping Committee Chairman Mr. Massimiliano Bianco (Italy) Member, Anti-Doping Officer Mr. Gianlorenzo Daniele (USA) Members Mr. Vitale Monte (Italy) Mr. Andreas Lodrup (Norway) Mrs. Suzana Milutinovic (Serbia) Mr. Andreas Angelopoulos (Greece) Mr. Almos Gogl (Hungary) Mr. Pedro Figueiredo (Portugal) Mr. Aissar Eduardo Nassif (Brasil) Mr. Victor Hugo Garcia Camacho (Mexico) Organizing Committee Chairman Mr. Roy Baker (Ireland) Members Mr. Srdjan Bugarcic (Serbia) Mr. Nicola Traina (Italy) Mr. Romeo Desa (Croatia) Mr. Giorgio Ceravolo (Italy) Mr. Danny Slevin (Ireland) Mr. Ilija Salerno (Ireland) Mrs. Marijana Pelevic (Serbia) Mrs. Elaine Small (Ireland) Mr. Adil Triqui (Germany) Para and Inclusive Committee Chairman Mr. Jesus Eguia Martin (Spain) Members Mrs. Seila Espinosa Alcalda (Spain) Mrs. Noemi Centeno (Spain) Mr. Daniel Lopez Alvarez (Spain) Mrs. Ana Isabel Sordo Bueno (Spain) Mr. Emmanuel Badillo (Mexico) Mr. Ahmed Alshehri (Saudi Arabia) Mr. Lucio Stella (Italy) Mr Jean-Francois Filion (Canada) Mr. Gregory (Ed) Bavelock (Australia) WAKO Pro Executive Steering Group Chairman Mr. Roy Baker (Ireland) Members Mr. Espen Lund (Norway) Mr. Donato Milano (Italy) Mr. Salim Kayici (Turkey) Mr. Nikolaus Gstaettner (Austria) Mr. Paulo Zorello (Brazil) Mr. Zsolt Moradi (Hungary) Referee Committee Ring Sports Chairman Mr. Yuri Lakhtikov (Estonia) Members Mr. Sami Savo (Finland) Mr. Zoran Simurina (Serbia) Mr. Thomas Henniger (USA) Mr. Jan Frana (Czech Republic) Mr. Mostafa Elrhannam (Morocco) Mr. Sultangali Kuandyk (Kazakhstan) Mr. Tomislav Novosel (Croatia) Ms. Michaela Kovacova (Slovakya) Mr. Gabor Szabo (Hungary) Mr. Wilson Okon (Nigeria) Mr. Vivek Sathees (India) Mr. Sahin Kocak (Turkey) Honorary Member Mr. Flavio Brivio (Italy) Referee Committee Tatami Sports Kim Kristoffersen (Norway) Chairman WAKO IF Tatami Referee Committee Karl Wilson Snr (Ireland) Const. Technical Director Tatami sport Jasmin Ernet (Austria) Committee member WAKO IF Tatami Referee Committee Sean Whelan (Great Britain) Committee member WAKO IF Tatami Referee Committee Claire Cocozza (Canada) Committee member WAKO IF Tatami Referee Committee Ryszard Zawistowski (Poland) Committee member WAKO IF Tatami Referee Committee Seema Saini (India) Committee member WAKO IF Tatami Referee Committee Raymond Staut (Belgium) Committee member WAKO IF Tatami Referee Committee Marlon Rios (Guatemala) Committee member WAKO IF Tatami Referee Committee Thomas Steenberg (Norway) Honorary member WAKO IF Tatami Referee Committee Rules Committee Chairman Mr. Romeo Desa (Croatia) Members Mr. Danny Slevin (Ireland) Mr. Yury Lahtikov (Estonia) Mr. Zsolt Moradi (Hungary) Mr. Kim Kristoffersen (Norway) Mr. Daimi Akin (Norway) Mr. Jesus Eguia Martin (Spain) Mr. Srdjan Bugarcic (Serbia) Event and Membership Committee Chairman Mr. Istvan Kiraly (Hungary) Members Mr. Nikolaus Gstaettner (Austria) Mr. Zsolt Moradi (Hungary) Mr. Salim Kayici (Turkey) Mr. Romeo Desa (Croatia) Technical Committee Chairman Mr. Romeo Desa (Croatia) Members Mr. Kai Becker (Germany) Mr. Otmar Felsberger (Austria) Mr. Santosh K. Agrawal (India) Mrs. Elaine Small (Ireland) Mr. Thomas Henniger (USA) Mr. Yury Lakhtikov (Estonia) Mr. Nizar Taleb (Palestine) Women in Sport Committee Chairwoman Mrs. Katarzyna Kociszewska (Poland) Members Mrs. Marijana Pelevic (Serbia) Mrs. Francesca Falsoni (Italy) Mrs. Sharon Gill (Great Britain) Mrs. Patrice Nadre Kevine (Ivory Coast) Mrs. Darya Strutinska (Latvia) Mrs. Valencia Yip Yin Tung (Singapore) Mrs. Alexandra Filipova (Slovakya) Mrs. Shabnum Mia (South Africa) Mrs. Christina Kostak (Ukraine) Whistleblowing Committee Chairwoman Mrs. Francesca Falsoni (Italy) Members Mrs. Lucinda Edwards (Great Britain) Mr. Istvan Kiraly (Hungary) Mr. Aslam Mahomed (South Africa) Mr. Dario Alvarado (Venezuela)

Meet WAKO’s accredited referees from around the world. Explore their profiles, expertise, and contributions to ensuring fair play in kickboxing. WAKO Referees Setting the Standard for Fair Play and Excellence The referees of WAKO are at the heart of ensuring fair competition and upholding the integrity of kickboxing across the globe. Our accredited referees are skilled professionals dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of officiating in every match, ensuring a safe and fair environment for all athletes. Name gender country Abdulaziz Yousef Alobeidli male United Arab Emirates Abdulaziz Alhammadi male United Arab Emirates Abdulzahra Al-Battat male Iraq Ahmed Al-Wuhaili male Iraq Ahmed Alsunni male Libya Ahmed Khashoei male United Arab Emirates Ahmet Tül male Turkey Akin Ortakci male Turkey Alali Mohamed male Syria Albin Musa male Kosovo Alen Afoio male Kyrgyzstan Ales Skledar male Slovenia Ali Hikmet male Turkey Allal Khaled male Algeria Ana Farias female Chile Ana Isabel Sordo female Spain Anan Meksawan male Thailand Anar Mammadov male Azerbaijan Andrei Majakov male Estonia Ani Minkova female Bulgaria Antonio Cerundolo male Switzerland Aydin Agabeyov male Azerbaijan Aykut Tikicieri male Turkey Azamat Sumambayev male Kazakhstan Bahrom Hudayberdiev male Uzbekistan Bao Yuan Wu male China Beata Sekowska female Poland Biser Georgiev male Bulgaria Bobirzhan Artykbaev male Uzbekistan Bunyaon Phengwuek male Thailand Carlos Patacao male Angola Cecylia Pudlicka female Poland Chayanon Awikunpraset male Thailand Choi Jae Hyeok male Korea Christine Felber female Switzerland Claudio Baccolini male Italy Czaba Orhalmi male Hungary Dana Abdulla male Iraq Daniel Vaglenov male Bulgaria David Ramon male Israel Deepak Siloach male India Denis Lahtikov male Estonia Dennis Viktor Beuster male Norway Dinmukhammed Mussabekov male Kazakhstan Dionysios Filippoulos male Greece Dominik Szymcak male Poland Donchai Thathi male Thailand Donchai Thathi male Thailand Dragana Vitkovic female Bosnia&Herzegovina Drioui Mohamed male Morocco Eddie Smadja male Israel Eduard Spakov male Lithuania Elif Celebi male Turkey Emad Sakher male Jordan Evgenii Musalimov male Moldova Fadhil Al-Ogaidi male Iraq Fahadeid Alshammari Male Saudi Arabia Fateh Mezine male France Fatima Rezaei female United Arab Emirates Filippos Papantoniou male Greece Filiz Pektas female Turkey Gabor Szabo male Hungary Gary King male Canada Geoffrey Aldridge male Great Britain Georgi Georgiev male Bulgaria German Germanov male Bulgaria Giuseppe Elisen male Italy Goran Simurina male Serbia Gunay Haciyeva male Azerbaijan Gurkan Sahbaz male Turkey Günter Ecker male Austria Hadjam Mohamed male Algeria Hakan Ozdemir male Turkey Halil Isik male Turkey Hassan AIYamani male Jordan Heejung Kim female Korea Henrik Matic male Croatia Hong Tao Pang male China Houhannad Nayroukh male Palestine Hristo Kalaydzhiev male Bulgaria Hristo Marinov male Bulgaria Huda Zergan female United Arab Emirates Hui Ping Lei male China Hüseyin Findik male Turkey Ibtissam Ahmoud female Morocco Imad Naouchi male Lebanon Irina Markova female Latvia Isabelle Jeannot female Mauritius Ivan Dercacenco male Moldova Ivan Jesic male Croatia Ivson Carmo male Brazil Jacqueline Walters female Canada Jan Frana male Czechia Jan Michalik male Slovakia Jana Bednarova female Czechia Janusz Wielgosz male Poland Jaouad Andaloussi male Morocco Jatuplon Rachplonsaen male Thailand Javier Alberca male Spain Jean-Louis Gaudioso male France

Review WAKO’s Privacy Policy to understand how we collect, use, and protect your personal information in accordance with global standards. Privacy Policy A legal disclaimer The explanations and information provided on this page are only general and high-level explanations and information on how to write your own document of a Privacy Policy. You should not rely on this article as legal advice or as recommendations regarding what you should actually do, because we cannot know in advance what are the specific privacy policies you wish to establish between your business and your customers and visitors. We recommend that you seek legal advice to help you understand and to assist you in the creation of your own Privacy Policy. Privacy Policy - the basics Having said that, a privacy policy is a statement that discloses some or all of the ways a website collects, uses, discloses, processes, and manages the data of its visitors and customers. It usually also includes a statement regarding the website’s commitment to protecting its visitors’ or customers’ privacy, and an explanation about the different mechanisms the website is implementing in order to protect privacy. Different jurisdictions have different legal obligations of what must be included in a Privacy Policy. You are responsible to make sure you are following the relevant legislation to your activities and location. What to include in the Privacy Policy Generally speaking, a Privacy Policy often addresses these types of issues: the types of information the website is collecting and the manner in which it collects the data; an explanation about why is the website collecting these types of information; what are the website’s practices on sharing the information with third parties; ways in which your visitors an customers can exercise their rights according to the relevant privacy legislation; the specific practices regarding minors’ data collection; and much much more. To learn more about this, check out our article “Creating a Privacy Policy ”.