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'{{short description|The governing body of sport kickboxing}} {{distinguish|World Association of Kickboxing Organizations}} {{Infobox organization | name = World Kickboxing and Karate Association | caption = | image = World Kickboxing Association (WKA) logo.jpg | size = 200px | abbreviation = WKA | formation = October 1976 | headquarters = [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]] | region_served = Worldwide | membership = National associations | language = [[English language|English]] | leader_title = President | leader_name = David Sawyer | main_organ = | website = https://wkainternational.com/ | remarks = WKA was split from [[Professional Karate Association]] (PKA) in 1976. }} The '''World Kickboxing Association''' ('''WKA''') also known as '''World Kickboxing and Karate Association''',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wkaworld.com/uploads/media/WKA_rulebook_2011.pdf|title=WKA Official Rulebook 2011: Chapter I|work=WKA World|access-date=7 August 2022}}</ref> is one of the oldest and the largest amateur and professional sanctioning body for [[kickboxing]] and [[Karate]].<ref>Delmas Alain, Callière Jean-Roger, ''Histoire du Kick-boxing'', FKBDA, France, 1998</ref><ref name="history Kickboxing">{{cite web|url=http://www.prokick.com/kickboxing/article/history-of-kickboxing/|title=History of Kickboxing|work=Pro Kick|access-date=7 August 2022}}</ref> ==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]].<ref name="Corcoran">Corcoran, John and Farkas, Emil. Martial Arts: Traditions, History, People. Gallery Books, New York (1983) p. 60.</ref> The organization secured network broadcast in the [[United States|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]].<ref name="Corcoran" /> 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."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ritschel |first=John |title=The Kickboxing Handbook |publisher=Rosen Publishing |year=2008 |location=New York |pages=16}}</ref> The WKA reported that it had had 52 of its events in televised syndication worldwide in 1981, compared to 48 events broadcast by rival federation PKA (the Professional Karate Association) that year.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Corcoran |first=John |title=The Martial Arts Sourcebook |publisher=HarperPerennial |year=1994 |isbn=0062732595 |location=New York |pages=88}}</ref> 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.<ref name="history Kickboxing" /> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wka-magazin.com/ueber_die_wka.php |title=Archived copy |website=WKA Magazin|access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213224537/http://www.wka-magazin.com/ueber_die_wka.php |archive-date=13 February 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> By 2011, the WKA had 129 offices worldwide and was the best known governing body among the rival federations in kickboxing.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Sports Book: The Games, the Rules, the Tactics, the Techniques |publisher=DK Books |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-7566-7231-7 |editor-last=Bridle |editor-first=Bob |edition=2nd |location=London, New York, Munich, Melbourne, and Delhi |pages=231 |editor-last2=Gilbert |editor-first2=Richard}}</ref> In 2013, it had 40 member nations.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Sports Book: The games, the rules, the tactics, the techniques |publisher=DK Books |year=2013 |isbn=9781465414540 |editor-last=Wilson |editor-first=Ed |edition=3rd |location=London, New York, Munich, Melbourne, and Delhi |pages=237}}</ref> In December 2018, David Sawyer based out of New Zealand took over the management of the WKA as president.<ref name="history Kickboxing" /> The World Kickboxing Association sanctions fights worldwide fought under the WKA ruleset.<ref>{{cite web |title=Title Belt Sanctioning |url=https://45yearswka.com/sanctions/ |website=45yearswka.com |access-date=22 September 2020}} {{dead link|date=March 2023}}</ref><ref name="WKA in New York">{{cite web|url=http://jordantimes.com/news/sports/abdallah-becomes-world-kickboxing-association-cruiserweight-champion|title=Abdallah becomes World Kickboxing Association Cruiserweight champion|work=[[The Jordan Times]]|date=7 May 2016}}</ref><ref name="WKA in Manila">{{cite web|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/03/08/sports/wka-ph-holds-first-tourney-for-2022/1835453|title=WKA-PH holds first tourney for 2022|work=[[The Manila Times]]|date=8 March 2022}}</ref> From October 31 to November 4, 2022, the organization is set host the 2022 WKA World Championships in [[North Wales]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Whanganui Muay Thai fighter Haimona Tamati selected for world champs|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/whanganui-muay-thai-fighter-haimona-tamati-selected-for-world-champs/SIMOXRMARUJ4NX7FYJDWJLXESI|author=Mike Tweed|website=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=3 August 2022}}</ref> ''' WKU 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,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wka-magazin.com/partner.php |title=Archived copy |website=www.wka-magazin.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213224452/http://www.wka-magazin.com/partner.php |archive-date=13 February 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> also moved to the WKUWORLD.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Petrushyn|first=Alexander|title=Partners/Sponsors - WKUWORLD|date=9 June 2021|url=https://www.wkuworld.com/partners-sponsors/|access-date=2021-10-13|language=en-US}}</ref> 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 management was passed back to Mr Paul Ingram, and the WKA headquarters was transferred back to Birmingham, England.<ref>{{cite web |title=WKA International Team |url=https://45yearswka.com/international-exec/ |website=45yearswka.com |access-date=22 September 2020}} {{dead link|date=March 2023}} {{dead link|date=March 2023}}</ref> === Controversy === The WKA is one of the main governing bodies who sanctions fights in New Zealand. In 2015, an accident in New Zealand left an athlete in a coma with spinal injuries after falling awkwardly with his opponent during a match.<ref>{{cite web |title=Muay Thai in NZ - 'Freak accident' shines spotlight on combat sport|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/100014603/muay-thai-in-nz---freak-accident-shines-spotlight-on-combat-sport|author=Marvin France|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff New Zealand]]|date=19 December 2017}}</ref> == Ruleset == Under its professional ruleset it sanctions boxing, full contact karate and kickboxing, low kick, K-1 and [[Glory (kickboxing)|GLORY]] kickboxing, as well as Thai boxing and Muay Thai.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Kickboxing AssociationWorld Karate Association |url=https://45yearswka.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-WKA-World-PROFESSIONAL-Rules-and-Regulations.pdf |website=45yearswka.com |access-date=22 September 2020}}{{dead link|date=March 2023}} {{dead link|date=March 2023}}</ref> 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&nbsp;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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dan Grading |url=https://45yearswka.com/black-belts/ |website=45yearswka.com |access-date=22 September 2020}} {{dead link|date=March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=WKA Kickboxing Black Belts |url=https://45yearswka.com/black-belt-holders/ |website=45yearswka.com |access-date=22 September 2020}}{{dead link|date=March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=WKA Karate Black Belts |url=https://45yearswka.com/wka-karate-black-belts/ |website=45yearswka.com |access-date=22 September 2020}} {{dead link|date=March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Certificates and Black Belts |url=https://45yearswka.com/certificates/ |website=45yearswka.com |access-date=22 September 2020}} {{dead link|date=March 2023}}</ref> ==Weight classes== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" !Weight class name !Upper limit !Gender |- |-align="center" |align="left"|Atomweight |{{convert|46|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} |Female |-align="center" |align="left"|Super Atomweight |{{convert|48|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} |Female |-align="center" |align="left"|Flyweight |{{convert|50|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} |Female |-align="center" |align="left"|Bantamweight |{{convert|53.5|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} |Male / Female |-align="center" |align="left"|Featherweight |{{convert|57|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} |Male / Female |-align="center" |align="left"|Lightweight |{{convert|60|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} |Male / Female |-align="center" |align="left"|Super Lightweight |{{convert|63.5|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} |Male / Female |-align="center" |align="left"|Welterweight |{{convert|67|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} |Male / Female |-align="center" |align="left"|Super Welterweight |{{convert|70|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} |Male / Female |-align="center" |align="left"|Middleweight |{{convert|73.5|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} |Male / Female |-align="center" |align="left"|Super Middleweight |{{convert|77|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} |Male / Female |-align="center" |align="left"|Light Heavyweight |{{convert|80|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} |Male |-align="center" |align="left"|Cruiserweight |{{convert|83.5|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} |Male |-align="center" |align="left"|Super Cruiserweight |{{convert|90|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} |Male |-align="center" |align="left"|Heavyweight |{{convert|95|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}} |Male |-align="center" |align="left"|Super Heavyweight |''Unlimited'' |Male |} ==See also== * [[Kickboxing]] * [[List of kickboxing organizations]] * [[World Association of Kickboxing Organizations]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==Further reading== *Delmas Alain, Callière Jean-Roger, ''Histoire du Kick-boxing'', FKBDA, France, 1998 *Delmas Alain, ''Définition du Kick-boxing'', FKBDA, France, 1999 ==External links== * [http://www.worldkickboxingassociation.org/ WKA official site.] {{Kickboxing organizations}} [[Category:Sports organizations established in 1976]] [[Category:Kickboxing organizations|WKA]] [[Category:Karate organizations|WKA]] [[Category:Organisations based in Auckland]]'