Jump to content

World Kickboxing Association

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Lekkha Moun (talk | contribs) at 19:42, 6 August 2022. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Not to be confused with World Association of Kickboxing Organizations.
World Kickboxing and Karate Association
AbbreviationWKA
FormationOctober 1976
HeadquartersAuckland, New Zealand
Region served
Worldwide
MembershipNational associations
Official language
English
President
David Sawyer
WebsiteWKA official website
RemarksWKA was split from Professional Karate Association (PKA) in 1976.

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.

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.[2] 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.[2]

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.[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.[4]

In December 2018, David Sawyer based out of New Zealand took over the management of the WKA as president.

2012 Split

In 2012, the WKA split to the newly founded World Kickboxing and Karate Union (WKUWORLD), whereby the WKA still exists as a splinter association, but has lost much of its former importance. Sponsors such as KWON, which formerly supported the WKA,[5] also moved to the WKUWORLD.[6]

From 29 September 2012 WKA had new management: Michele Panfietti World President and Cristiano Radicchi General Secretary. From December 2016, the management was passed back to Mr Paul Ingram, and the WKA headquarters was transferred back to Birmingham, England.[7]

Activities

The World Kickboxing Association sanctions fights worldwide fought under the WKA ruleset.[8][9]

From October 31 to November 4 2022, the organization is set host the 2022 WKA World Championships in North Wales.[10]

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.[11]

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.

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.[12][13][14][15]

Weight classes

Weight class name Upper limit Gender
Atomweight 46 kg (101.4 lb) Female
Super Atomweight 48 kg (105.8 lb) Female
Flyweight 50.5 kg (111.3 lb) Female
Bantamweight 54 kg (119.0 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 72.5 kg (159.8 lb) Male / Female
Super Middleweight 76 kg (167.6 lb) Male / Female
Light Heavyweight 79 kg (174.2 lb) Male
Cruiserweight 83.5 kg (184.1 lb) Male
Super Cruiserweight 90 kg (198.4 lb) Male
Heavyweight 95 kg (209.4 lb) Male
Super Heavyweight Unlimited Male

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Chapter I of WKA Official Rulebook 2011 (Amateur) says "WKA stands for the World Kickboxing and Karate Association with its seat in Germany."" (PDF). wkaworld.com.
  2. ^ a b Corcoran, John and Farkas, Emil. Martial Arts: Traditions, History, People. Gallery Books, New York (1983) p. 60.
  3. ^ "History of Kickboxing". prokick.com.
  4. ^ "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)
  5. ^ "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)
  6. ^ Petrushyn, Alexander (9 June 2021). "Partners/Sponsors - WKUWORLD". Retrieved 2021-10-13.
  7. ^ "WKA International Team". 45yearswka.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Title Belt Sanctioning". 45yearswka.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Abdallah becomes World Kickboxing Association Cruiserweight champion". The Jordan Times. 7 May 2016.
  10. ^ Mike Tweed (3 August 2022). "Whanganui Muay Thai fighter Haimona Tamati selected for world champs". The New Zealand Herald.
  11. ^ "World Kickboxing AssociationWorld Karate Association" (PDF). 45yearswka.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  12. ^ "Dan Grading". 45yearswka.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  13. ^ "WKA Kickboxing Black Belts". 45yearswka.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  14. ^ "WKA Karate Black Belts". 45yearswka.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Certificates and Black Belts". 45yearswka.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.

Further reading

  • Delmas Alain, Callière Jean-Roger, Histoire du Kick-boxing, FKBDA, France, 1998
  • Delmas Alain, Définition du Kick-boxing, FKBDA, France, 1999
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=World_Kickboxing_Association&oldid=1102764544"