World Association of Kickboxing Organizations - WAKO

Details about World Association of Kickboxing Organizations - WAKO 2025

Category: Sports and Entertainment

The history of WAKO is closely linked to the development of kickboxing in the Western world. It all began in 1970 when the legendary Joe Lewis fought what is now known as the first "kickboxing match" against Greg Baines in the United States of America. This was a pioneering event, witnessing the first use of boxing gloves and the emergence of the term "kickboxing."

The sport gained further momentum in 1974 with the launch of the "World Full Contact Championship" in Los Angeles. Organized by pioneers Joe Lewis and Mike Anderson, it was a pivotal moment in the sport's history. Kickboxing legends Bill Wallace, Jeff Smith, and Joe Lewis emerged as the first world champions in full contact.

Building a strong and lasting global organization for kickboxing was a challenging task amidst the martial arts dynamics of the time. George Bruckner and Mike Anderson had a vision to create a global platform for the sport, leading to the establishment of the "World All-Style Karate Organization," later known as WAKO.

WAKO's journey began in Europe in 1976, and the organization was officially founded in Berlin, Germany, on February 26, 1977, by Mr. George Bruckner.

The first-ever world championship in semi-contact and full-contact karate, as it was called then, was held in 1978, with 110 competitors from 18 countries. WAKO soon established the official rules and regulations, integrating hand and leg techniques for amateur matches with a focus on safety. This represented the formal adoption of the term "kickboxing," solidifying WAKO's position as a trusted global organization.