World Association of Kickboxing Organizations

The World Association of Kickboxing Organisations (W.A.K.O) started its activities in Europe in 1976 [ cite web | url=http://www.wakoweb.com/en/InfoPage.aspx?Ctn=82067&Mn=43| title=About W.A.K.O] and created the rules and regulations for the new fighting sport and acted, as the Kickboxing Federation of world. Today, W.A.K.O is the largest unified kickboxing organization in the world. In 2006, the International Amateur Kickboxing Sports Association (I.A.K.S.A) and W.A.K.O merged, making it possible for their acceptance by the General Association of International Sports Federation (G.A.I.S.F) as the governing body for the sport of Kickboxing.Fact|date=June 2008 W.A.K.O offers 7 different styles: semi, light, full contact, low-kick, K1-style, musical forms and Aero-Kickboxing. Today W.A.K.O can count on 74 affiliated nations in the 5 continents.Fact|date=June 2008

Competitions

W.A.K.O holds a world championships every two years, with youth (18 and under) and adults (18-45) on separate years, only national teams are accepted. Each member country can present only 1 competitor in each weight class. Competitors are commonly the national champ of their weight class in that particular kickboxing style and many are also officially recognised by their National Olympic Committees or Ministry of Sports,Fact|date=June 2008.

W.A.K.O also includes W.A.K.O-PRO which organises events that spread the word about its movement, attracting thousands of spectatorsFact|date=June 2008 WAKO-PRO started in 1991, and has become the leading professional body in Europe, Asia, South America, the Caribbean and the Middle-East.Fact|date=June 2008

See also

*List of kickboxing organizations
*List of male kickboxers
*List of female kickboxers

References

External links

* [http://www.wakoweb.com World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (W.A.K.O International)]
* [http://www.wakopro.org World Association of Kickboxing Organisations (W.A.K.O Pro)]