Post by : Maya Rahman

Abu Dhabi is gearing up to host the prestigious WAKO World Championship for Seniors and Masters in kickboxing from November 21 to 30, attracting around 2,000 athletes from 150 different countries at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

Organised in tandem with the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO), the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation will oversee the event, welcoming international delegations arriving for the official opening ceremony on November 23 at 17:00, held in ADNEC Hall 1 and open for public attendance.

The championship's core events will take place from November 24 to 29, featuring a variety of WAKO-sanctioned disciplines such as K1, Low Kick, Full Contact, Point Fighting, Light Contact, Kick Light, alongside other ring and tatami competitions. The schedule also includes musical and creative performance categories for athletes in both the Seniors and Masters divisions, while a Para Kickboxing category will be available for People of Determination, promoting inclusivity in the sport.

The championship will kick off with preliminary and qualifying rounds, followed by semi-finals, finals, and medal ceremonies, particularly for the Masters category. Champions will be crowned on November 29, with participants expected to depart a day later.

Ali Khouri, a member of the Executive Board of WAKO and the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, expressed that the UAE is excited to host the global kickboxing community. He highlighted that such a significant number of participants reflects worldwide confidence in the UAE's organisational proficiency and advanced sports infrastructure.

Khouri emphasized that this championship will bolster Abu Dhabi's status as a global center for combat sports, continuing the UAE's legacy of successfully hosting major international sporting events that draw athletes and fans across the globe.

Expect thrilling contests across all categories, fostering sportsmanship, cultural interchange, and international collaboration. Spectators in Abu Dhabi can anticipate seeing elite athletes compete on the world stage, marking this as a critical event for the region's combat sports landscape.

Featuring competitions that span intense showdowns, creative displays, and Para Kickboxing, the 2025 WAKO World Championship promises to be one of the year's most inclusive and exciting sporting events hosted in the UAE.

#Sports News