Abu Dhabi Set to Host 2025 WAKO World Kickboxing Championship

Post by : Mara Rahim

Abu Dhabi is primed to host elite kickboxing talents for the 2025 WAKO World Championship for Seniors and Masters. Scheduled from November 21 to 30 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the event will attract approximately 2,000 competitors representing 150 countries.

Organised in partnership with the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO), the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation is overseeing the championship. International delegations will begin their arrivals on November 21 and 22, leading up to the official opening ceremony at 17:00 on the 23rd in ADNEC Hall 1, open to the public under set guidelines.

From November 24 to 29, the championship's core events will unfold. It will showcase various disciplines recognized by WAKO, including K1, Low Kick, Full Contact, Point Fighting, Light Contact, Kick Light, among other ring and tatami events. Additionally, the schedule incorporates musical performances and creative categories for both Seniors and Masters, while the Para Kickboxing segment will also highlight inclusion for People of Determination.

The championship's early phase will consist of preliminary and qualifying rounds, advancing through semi-finals, finals, and medal presentations, particularly for the Masters division. Champions will be crowned on November 29, with departing delegations expected the following day.

Ali Khouri, Executive Board Member of WAKO and Board Member of the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, expressed the UAE's warm welcome to the global kickboxing community. He added that the unprecedented participant count reflects international trust in the UAE's organizational competencies and cutting-edge sports facilities.

Khouri further emphasized that this championship strengthens Abu Dhabi’s standing as a centerpiece for combat sports worldwide. This event continues the UAE's legacy of successfully hosting significant global sporting events, attracting athletes and audiences from around the globe.

Expected to offer thrilling action across all categories, the championship promotes sportsmanship, cultural exchange, and global collaboration. Attendees in Abu Dhabi will have the chance to see some of the world’s top athletes competing at an elite level, marking a pivotal occasion for the region's combat sports landscape.

With a lineup that includes intense bouts, creative performances, and Para Kickboxing, the 2025 WAKO World Championship promises to be one of the most exciting and inclusive sporting events in the UAE this year.