World Association of Kickboxing Organizations
WAKO amateur logo
|
|
| Abbreviation | WAKO |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1976 |
| Type | Federation of national associations |
| Legal status | Active (as per Swiss Law as founded in Zurich on February 6, 1988) |
| Purpose | Global Development and governance of the sport of Kickboxing |
| Headquarters | Italy |
| Location | |
|
Region served
|
Worldwide |
|
Membership
|
National association |
|
Official language
|
English |
| Affiliations |
SportAccord WADA International World Games Association |
| Website | www |
| Remarks | WAKO was established as "World All Style Karate Organization". |
The World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (W.A.K.O or WAKO) is an international organization of kickboxing. The governing body of amateur kickboxing certified by WAKO is created to develop support and govern at an amateur level In addition to holding world championship events, WAKO sanctions the champions of kickboxing.
WAKO originated in Europe in 1976 and formulated the rules and regulations for the new fighting sport de facto, acting as the Kickboxing Federations of the World. It was founded by American Kickboxing promoter Mike Anderson, and his friend, German Kickboxing promoter George Bruckner. WAKO's rules are based on democratic principles and are forming the governing body of the sport that is officially registered in Zurich, Switzerland. WAKO is the largest unified kickboxing organization in the world. In 2006 the International Amateur Kickboxing Sports Association (I.A.K.S.A) and WAKO merged under the umbrella of WAKO, making its acceptance possible by the General Association of International Sports Federations (G.A.I.S.F) as the governing body for the sport of Kickboxing. WAKO offers 7 different styles: Points Fighting, light-contact, full-contact, kick-light, low-kick, K1-style, and musical forms. Today WAKO can count on 126 affiliated nations in the five continents, with 95 officially recognized by their respective Sports or Olympic Council.
WAKO is a member of Sport Accord and is officially recognized as the official Kickboxing governing body by Sport Accord, Olympic Council of Asia, WADA and the International World Games Association. Kickboxing is included in World Combat Games, Asian Indoor Games, and the Martial Arts Games (promoted by OCA) in the 2017 International World Games. WAKO has five continental divisions functioning under the auspices of the WAKO International Federation which are WAKO Europe, WAKO Pan America, WAKO Asia, WAKO Oceania and WAKO Africa.
...
Wikipedia