International sport governing body
The World Kickboxing Association (WKA) also known as World Kickboxing and Karate Association,[1] is one of the oldest and the largest amateur and professional sanctioning body for kickboxing and karate.[2][3]
History
In 1976, the WKA was founded by Howard Hanson in the United States and originally named World Karate Association. The organization was the first non-profit governing body to use an independently controlled rating list and the first to establish a world championship division for women and the first to include countries from Asia.[4] The organization secured network broadcast in the US and Japan and became a major sanctioning body for professional karate. Early stars of the WKA included Benny Urquidez, Don “The Dragon” Wilson, Kevin Rosier and Graciela Casillas.[4][5] According to martial arts author John Ritschel, “The WKA became successful by finding common ground between Western and Eastern full-contact fighting culture, thereby creating and defining a culture for the sport that improved the recognition of full-contact competitions.”[6]
The WKA reported that in 1981, it had 52 events syndicated worldwide, compared to 48 events broadcast by its rival, the Professional Karate Association (PKA).[7] Additionally, the WKA has expanded its reach internationally, boasting fourteen member nations, with the most active participants including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. American and European fighters often faced off against Muay Thai competitors from Southeast Asia. By 1982, the WKA sanctioned approximately 30% of all martial arts events worldwide.
Although PKA and WKA tried to expand their promotional presence in Europe, their success was limited. In contrast to the U.S., the development of full-contact karate (kickboxing) in Europe has been more significantly influenced by nationalism and governmental interference than by the pursuit of television revenues. Nevertheless, by 1982, European organizations had sanctioned approximately 20% of all events worldwide.[8]
The WKA later developed on the European continent with Champions like Rob Kaman and Fred Royers. In 1991, Howard Hanson sold the WKA to Canadian Dale Floyd which was followed by a fade in the organization’s North American activities, only having tournament champions such as Tony LoCoco.[3] In 1994, Paul Ingram took over the WKA and established its world headquarters in the UK, which led the appointed European directors Fred Royers from Holland and Jean-Paul Maillet from France to leave in January. At the time, WKA was the second largest professional sanctioning organisation in the World.[9] By 2011, the WKA had 129 offices worldwide and was the best known governing body among the rival federations in kickboxing.[10] In 2013, it had 40 member nations.[11]
WKU split
In 2012, the manager of the WKA split away to form World Kickboxing and Karate Union (WKU), sponsors such as KWON, which formerly supported the WKA,[12] also moved to the WKU.[13] Paul Ingram took the WKU too court in Germany winning several decisions to take ownership of the WKU name causing the WKU to become WKUWORLD/GCO.
From 29 September 2012 WKA had new management: Michele Panfietti began serving as World President and Cristiano Radicchi began serving as General Secretary. From December 2016,the WKA headquarters was transferred back to Birmingham, England.[14]
A New ERA of the WKA
In December 2018, Dave Sawyer, a seasoned martial artist and administrator based in New Zealand, assumed the role of World President of the World Kickboxing and Karate Association (WKA).
His leadership marks a new chapter for the organization, bringing a fresh perspective and a commitment to enhancing WKA’s global presence.
Under Sawyer’s presidency, the WKA focuses on modernizing its operations and marketing strategies, leveraging digital platforms to engage with a younger audience and foster a greater appreciation for kickboxing and karate worldwide. His vision includes the organization of international tournaments that showcase athletic prowess and celebrate the cultural heritage of martial arts.
July 17th 2025 marks the acceptance of the first constitution for the WKA. This move by Dave Sawyer secures the future for the next 50 years.[15]
Sawyer’s extensive martial arts and organizational management background positions him to effectively guide the WKA as it navigates the complexities of the modern sports landscape.[3]
The World Kickboxing Association sanctions fights worldwide fought under the WKA ruleset.[16][17][18]
From October 31 to November 4, 2022, the organization is set host the 2022 WKA World Championships in North Wales.[19]
Ruleset
Under its professional ruleset it sanctions boxing, full contact karate and kickboxing, low kick, K-1 and Glory kickboxing, as well as Thai boxing and Muay Thai.[20]
Using substances banned by one of the appropriate organizations isn’t allowed, WKA supervisors, promoters and the official medic can perform tests on the competitors. Failing a test, or failing to provide a sample can result in a two year ban. Tests are performed by a qualified person of the same sex.
The WKA strongly emphasizes education as a cornerstone of its anti-doping strategy. Aims to illuminate the significant health risks and ethical dilemmas associated with doping in sports through engaging seminars, interactive workshops, and comprehensive outreach programs. These informative sessions are carefully crafted to raise awareness and empower athletes with a deeper understanding of the legal repercussions tied to the use of performance-enhancing substances.[21]
Competitions are held inside of a ring not smaller than 20 square feet or larger than 24 square feet, with four ropes surrounding it. Referees judging the bouts must be certified by WKA.
Full contact karate fights consist of two twelve minute rounds for men, and two ten minute rounds for women. European and national title bouts consist of two ten minute rounds for men, and two eight minute rounds for women. All other regional and state fights consist of two eight minute rounds for men and two six minute rounds for women. For boxing and all forms of kickboxing and karate, rounds consist of three three minute rounds for Class B athletes or five three minute rounds for Class A athletes, depending on the experience of the competitors. Class B athletes are those with seven amateur wins. They are promoted to Class A after achieving eight Class B wins. There is always a minute of rest between rounds. Rounds are scored based on eight counts, effective striking, ring control and style specific techniques.
All competitors wear competition appropriate attire, with compulsory groin protectors for men and breast protectors for women, with both additionally having to use a mouth guard. Full contact karate athletes wear foot protectors, with the exception of title bouts, should the champion demand otherwise. 10 oz gloves are used in all divisions, unless fighters up to and including middleweight agree to use 8 oz gloves.
Bouts in which one of the fighters has missed weight are permitted, provided the weight differential doesn’t exceed 3.5% of the weight division allowance or 3.5 kg, whichever is less.
Aside from this, WKA also certifies Karate and kickboxing colored belts and black belts, ranging from 1st to 9th Dan for kickboxing or 1st to 10th for Karate.[22][23][24][25]
Weight classes
| Weight class name | Upper limit | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Atomweight | 46 kg (101.4 lb) | Female |
| Super Atomweight | 48 kg (105.8 lb) | Female |
| Flyweight | 50 kg (110.2 lb) | Female |
| Bantamweight | 53.5 kg (117.9 lb) | Male / Female |
| Featherweight | 57 kg (125.7 lb) | Male / Female |
| Lightweight | 60 kg (132.3 lb) | Male / Female |
| Super Lightweight | 63.5 kg (140.0 lb) | Male / Female |
| Welterweight | 67 kg (147.7 lb) | Male / Female |
| Super Welterweight | 70 kg (154.3 lb) | Male / Female |
| Middleweight | 73 kg (160.9 lb) | Male / Female |
| Super Middleweight | 76.5 kg (168.7 lb) | Male / Female |
| Light Heavyweight | 80 kg (176.4 lb) | Male / Female |
| Junior Heavyweight | 83 kg (183.0 lb) | Male |
| Cruiserweight | 86.5 kg (190.7 lb) | Male |
| Super Cruiserweight | 90 kg (198.4 lb) | Male |
| Heavyweight | 95 kg (209.4 lb) | Male |
| Super Heavyweight | Unlimited | Male |
The list includes full contact world title holders. (title defenses are not included)[26]
Super Heavyweight
| Champion | Date won | Defenses |
|---|---|---|
| Stan Longinidis (def. Melvin Cole) |
1992 | |
| Duke Roufus | 1995 | |
| Stuart Green (def. Sunday Abioundun) |
2000 | |
| Jean-Marc Girard (def. Sunday Abioundun) |
2005 | |
| Sergej Maslobojev | 2007 | |
| Anatoly Nosyrev (def. Matos Vitor) |
2007 | |
| Mike LaBree (def. Jordan Carroll) |
2012 |
Heavyweight
| Champion | Date won | Defenses |
|---|---|---|
| Gary Sandland (def. William Van Roosmalen) |
1993 | |
| Tony Tasker | 1994 | |
| Steffano Tomiazzo | 1995 | |
| Marek Piotrowski | 1995 | |
| Stuart Green (def. Grant Barker) |
1997 | |
| Erdal Yildrim | 2003 | |
| Jean-Marc Girard | 2005 | |
| Andre Mewis | 2007 | |
| Florian Pavic (def. Patrik Berger |
2010 |
Super Cruiserweight
| Champion | Date won | Defenses |
|---|---|---|
| Florian Pavic (def. Hichem Medoukali) |
2009 |
Cruiserweight
| Champion | Date won | Defenses |
|---|---|---|
| Pavlica Steko (def. (Mohamed Fahr) |
1995 | |
| Gareth Richards (def. José De La Llera) |
2010 | |
| Amer Abdallah (def. Daniel Hughes) |
2016 |
Super Light Heavyweight
| Champion | Date won | Defenses |
|---|---|---|
| Rob Kaman (def. (Mark Russell) |
1992 | |
| defeats ISKA world super middleweight champion Jean-Yves Thériault on 92-06-20 in Paris, FRA in a double title match but is forced to vacate the title for exceeding the weight limit.. | ||
| Herbert Danois (def. Albert Krieziu) |
2007 | |
| Marlon Hunt (def. Robert Cassells) |
2010 | |
Light Heavyweight
| Champion | Date won | Defenses |
|---|---|---|
| Bruce Ozbek (def. Thomas Petratsch) |
1998 |
|
| Marc Apele (def. Orhan Celik) |
2005 | |
| Jens Lintow | 2006 | |
| Dominik Haselbeck (def.Angel Alvarez) |
2007 | |
| Ramin Abtin | 2007 | |
| Mariusz Niziolek | 2009 | |
| Tarik Kuzucu (def. Richard Pedro) |
2009 | |
| Mukhtar Khizriev | 2011 | |
| Gareth Richards | 2011 | |
| Ryan Lyall (def. Adil Zerhoui) |
2021 |
Super Middleweight
| Champion | Date won | Defenses |
|---|---|---|
| Ramin Abtin (def. Austin Caverley.) |
2002 | |
| Dominik Haselbeck (def. Geogi Iliev) |
2007 |
Middleweight
| Champion | Date won | Defenses |
|---|---|---|
| Arthur O’Loughlin (def. Terry Begue |
1989 | |
| Stan Peterec (def. ?) |
1993 | |
| Perry Ubeda (def. Şahin Yakut) |
2002 | |
| Serguei Lapinski |
2002 | |
| Dean Sugden (def. Daniel Kaufmann |
2006 | |
| Muzammal Nawaz |
2007 | |
| Semen Poskotin Merkel (def. Przemyslaw Ziemnichki) |
2010 |
Super Welterweight
- Kash Gill – 1991 Also wins ISKA freestyle light middleweight title on 93-11-21.
- Victor Vargotsky -1994 Defeats Luis Aguila
- Angelo DiBella – 1995
- Roberto Fatica – 1995
- Mark Weller – 1996
- Imed Mathlouthi – 2002
- Chris Algieri – 2005 Defeats Brad Fowler
- Viktor Hoffman – 2011
- Bobby Campbell – 2017
Welterweight
- Victor Vargotsky – 1994
- Murat Comert – 2002
- Jason Vassallo – 2007
- Dennis Lukashev – 2011
Super Lightweight
- Terry Butwell – 2002
- Alain Coppey – 2007 Defeats Christian Deiss
- Bobby Campbell – 2009 Defeats Christian Deiss.
- Sam Allan – 2013
Lightweight
- Juan Torres – 1994
- Muzaffer Tosun – 2002
- Rocco Cipriano – 2007
- Michael Peynaud – 2011 Still champion as of 2012-11-29; most likely vacant in or sometime before 18-12 when the management moves to NZL with the records “lost from years before” (WKA official website).
Super Featherweight
- Danny Melendez – 1990 Defeats Aldaberto Leal for KICK and WKA titles.
- Rocco Cipriano – 2004
Bantamweight
Women’s Super Lightweight
Women’s Lightweight
- Fredia Gibbs – 1992 Defeats Chevrette Pabros.
- Christine Theiss – 2007 Defeats Donatella Panu
Women’s Bantamweight
- Kaliope Yeitsidou – 2006
- Cindy Metz – 2011
Women’s Flyweight
See also
References
- ^ “WKA Official Rulebook 2011: Chapter I” (PDF). WKA World. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ Delmas Alain, Callière Jean-Roger, Histoire du Kick-boxing, FKBDA, France, 1998
- ^ a b c “History of Kickboxing”. Pro Kick. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ a b Corcoran, John and Farkas, Emil. Martial Arts: Traditions, History, People. Gallery Books, New York (1983) p. 60.
- ^ “Notable Early World Title Fights. World Kickboxing and Karate Association”. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
- ^ Ritschel, John (2008). The Kickboxing Handbook. New York: Rosen Publishing. p. 16.
- ^ Corcoran, John (1994). The Martial Arts Sourcebook. New York: HarperPerennial. p. 88. ISBN 0062732595.
- ^ Martin, Paul (2025-01-29). “The Legacy” (1st ed.). Birmingham: Independent Publisher. pp. 8–9. ISBN 9798308637912.
- ^ “Archived copy”. WKA Magazin. Archived from the original on 13 February 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Bridle, Bob; Gilbert, Richard, eds. (2011). The Sports Book: The Games, the Rules, the Tactics, the Techniques (2nd ed.). London, New York, Munich, Melbourne, and Delhi: DK Books. p. 231. ISBN 978-0-7566-7231-7.
- ^ Wilson, Ed, ed. (2013). The Sports Book: The games, the rules, the tactics, the techniques (3rd ed.). London, New York, Munich, Melbourne, and Delhi: DK Books. p. 237. ISBN 9781465414540.
- ^ “Archived copy”. www.wka-magazin.com. Archived from the original on 13 February 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Petrushyn, Alexander (9 June 2021). “Partners/Sponsors – WKUWORLD”. Retrieved 2021-10-13.
- ^ “WKA International Team”. 45yearswka.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ Martin, Paul (2025-01-29). “The Legacy” (1st ed.). Birmingham: Independent Publisher. pp. 88–89. ISBN 9798308637912.
- ^ “Title Belt Sanctioning”. 45yearswka.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ “Abdallah becomes World Kickboxing Association Cruiserweight champion”. The Jordan Times. 7 May 2016.
- ^ “WKA-PH holds first tourney for 2022”. The Manila Times. 8 March 2022.
- ^ Mike Tweed (3 August 2022). “Whanganui Muay Thai fighter Haimona Tamati selected for world champs”. The New Zealand Herald.
- ^ “World Kickboxing AssociationWorld Karate Association” (PDF). 45yearswka.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ Martin, Paul (2025-01-29). “The Legacy” (1st ed.). Birmingham: Independent Publisher. pp. 201–202. ISBN 9798308637912.
- ^ “Dan Grading”. 45yearswka.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ “WKA Kickboxing Black Belts”. 45yearswka.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ “WKA Karate Black Belts”. 45yearswka.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ “Certificates and Black Belts”. 45yearswka.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
- ^ “World Kickboxing & Karate Association”. TitleHistories.com. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
Further reading
- Delmas Alain, Callière Jean-Roger, Histoire du Kick-boxing, FKBDA, France, 1998
- Delmas Alain, Définition du Kick-boxing, FKBDA, France, 1999
