Glittering ceremony marks launch of World Kickboxing Championship in Au Dhabi

Abu Dhabi witnessed a remarkable opening ceremony last night for the WAKO World Kickboxing Championship for seniors and masters, held for the first-time outside Europe and in the Middle East.

The championship brings together 2,000 male and female athletes representing 150 countries from around the world, organized by the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, in cooperation with the World Association for Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO).

The capital welcomed delegations from all participating nations in a festive atmosphere at ADNEC Abu Dhabi, reaffirming the UAE’s leading international status in hosting and organizing major global sporting events.

The opening ceremony began with the UAE national anthem, followed by a visual presentation showcasing the nation’s rapid development across various fields. This was followed by an artistic performance that lit up the arena with displays symbolizing strength, unity, and competitive spirit.

The ceremony then featured a speech by the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, followed by a speech from WAKO, before the parade of participating nations commenced, including referees, coaches, and athletes, concluding with the official announcement of the championship’s launch.

Abdullah Saeed Al Neyadi, Vice President of the International Muay Thai Federation, President of the Asian and Arab Muay Thai Federations, and President of the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, emphasized during his speech that hosting the championship in Abu Dhabi represents a major international milestone and reflects the prestigious position the UAE holds on the global sports map.

He stated: "We welcome the delegations of the participating nations to Abu Dhabi, which has proven its ability to deliver advanced organizational models that meet the highest international standards. The participation of 150 countries and nearly 2,000 athletes is clear evidence of the immense confidence the global sports community places in the UAE, and it elevates the value of this edition, which we expect will contribute to strengthening the global presence of kickboxing."

For his part, Roy Baker, President of the World Association for Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO), praised the exceptional organizational level presented by Abu Dhabi during the opening ceremony, affirming that the event reflects the strength of the partnership with the UAE and its capability to host major world championships at the highest standards.

He noted that the scale of participation in this edition makes it the largest championship in WAKO’s history, representing a pivotal step in promoting the sport globally and reaffirming WAKO’s commitment to developing kickboxing and expanding its international reach.

The ceremony was attended by Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council; Nasser Al Tamimi, Secretary General of the UAE Judo Federation; members of the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation Board of Directors; presidents of national kickboxing federations; and a number of distinguished guests from across the world.