World Kickboxing Association

The World Kickboxing Association (WKA) is one of the oldest and the largest amateur and professional sanctioning organizations of kickboxing in the world for the sport. Its official name is "World Kickboxing and Karate Association, however the logo uses World Karate and Kickboxing Association[1]".

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

History

WKA was created in the United States as the World Karate Association in 1976 by Howard Hanson, a Shorin-Ryu Karate black belt, and Arnold Urquidez. The organisation was the first non-profit governing body to use an independently controlled rating list, the first to establish a world championship division for women and the first to include countries from Asia.[2] The organisation became one of the major sanctioning bodies for professional karate. Early stars of the WKA included Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Kevin Rosier and Graciela Casillas. The organization went on to secure network broadcasts in the US and Japan.[2] Howard Hanson sold the WKA to Dale Floyd in 1991.[3]

WKA developed the field of low kicks thanks to strong Asian and Japanese connections. WKA is based in Auckland, New Zealand has prospered throughout Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, and in North America. In 1994, Paul Ingram took over the organization. From 29 September 2012 WKA had a 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.[4]

December 2018, David Sawyer based out of New Zealand took over the management of the WKA, he is the current World President.

The organisation became one of the major sanctioning bodies for professional karate.

Activities

The World Kickboxing Association sanctions fights and its title bouts, fought under the WKA Rule Set.[5]

Professional ruleset

Under the professional ruleset[6] it sanctions boxing, full contact karate and kickboxing, low kick, K-1 and Glory kickboxing, as well as Thai boxing and Muay Thai.

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.[7][8][9][10]

Weight classes
Weight class name Men Women
Atomweight 101.2 lb (45.904 kg)
Super Atomweight 105.6 lb (47.899 kg)
Flyweight 110 lb (49.895 kg)
Bantamweight 118.8 lb (53.887 kg) 118.8 lb (53.887 kg)
Featherweight 125.4 lb (56.880 kg) 125.4 lb (56.880 kg)
Lightweight 132 lb (59.874 kg) 132 lb (59.874 kg)
Super Lightweight 139.7 lb (63.367 kg) 139.7 lb (63.367 kg)
Welterweight 147.7 lb (66.996 kg) 147.7 lb (66.996 kg)
Super Welterweight 154 lb (69.853 kg) 154 lb (69.853 kg)
Middleweight 159.5 lb (72.348 kg) 159.5 lb (72.348 kg)
Super Middleweight 167.2 lb (75.841 kg) 167.2 lb (75.841 kg)
Light Heavyweight 173.8 lb (78.834 kg) 173.8 lb (78.834 kg)
Cruiserweight 182.6 lb (82.826 kg)
Super Cruiserweight 198 lb (89.811 kg)
Heavyweight 209 lb (94.801 kg)
Super Heavyweight Unlimited

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. Corcoran, John and Farkas, Emil. Martial Arts: Traditions, History, People. Gallery Books, New York (1983) p. 60.
  3. "History of Kickboxing". prokick.com.
  4. "WKA International Team". 45yearswka.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  5. "Title Belt Sanctioning". 45yearswka.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  6. "World Kickboxing AssociationWorld Karate Association" (PDF). 45yearswka.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  7. "Dan Grading". 45yearswka.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  8. "WKA Kickboxing Black Belts". 45yearswka.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  9. "WKA Karate Black Belts". 45yearswka.com. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  10. "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
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