EveryDojo

Sources for kickboxing

Every number in the text, like 3, points here. The pages are written in our own words from these sources. Where sources disagree, the pages say so and show each version. Rules and grades are each body's own, with the date we read them, and change over time.

How these pages were made

Researched and drafted with computer help, checked against the sources below, and read by a karate instructor. Pictures are drawn, with computer help, under our direction, and none shows a real child. Recorded chapters and words are read by a computer voice; a word not yet recorded uses your device's own voice. If you spot a mistake, email hello@everydojo.com.

  1. 1.Kickboxing · Wikipedia contributors · Facts only, own words (text CC BY-SA 4.0); it gives 10 oz gloves for semi contact where WAKO's rules give 8 oz open hand gloves
  2. 2.World Association of Kickboxing Organizations · Wikipedia contributors · Facts only, own words (text CC BY-SA 4.0); its ranking system section is not used, and its founding details differ from WAKO's own
  3. 3.ISKA (sports governing body) · Wikipedia contributors · Facts only, own words (text CC BY-SA 4.0); its lead says 1985 where ISKA says 16 July 1986
  4. 4.World Kickboxing Association · Wikipedia contributors · Facts only, own words (text CC BY-SA 4.0); its statements about failed events are not repeated
  5. 5.Professional Karate Association · Wikipedia contributors · Facts only, own words (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
  6. 6.Full contact karate · Wikipedia contributors · Facts only, own words (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
  7. 7.K-1, Glory (kickboxing), ONE Championship, Enfusion, World Kickboxing Network and Shoot boxing · Wikipedia contributors · Facts only, own words (text CC BY-SA 4.0); allegations in the K-1 article are not used
  8. 8.Muay Thai, and Savate · Wikipedia contributors · Facts only, own words (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
  9. 9.Joe Lewis (martial artist), Bill Wallace (martial artist), Benny Urquidez, Osamu Noguchi and Christine Theiss · Wikipedia contributors · Facts only, own words (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
  10. 10.WAKO Amateur World Championships, and the pages for the 1977 and 1980 European Championships and the 1979, 1983 and 1985 World Championships · Wikipedia contributors · Facts only, own words (text CC BY-SA 4.0); the 1977 page names WAKO's first name as W.M.A.A., where WAKO itself says World All-Style Karate Organization
  11. 11.Kickboxing at the 2017, 2022 and 2025 World Games, at the 2023 European Games and at the 2021 Islamic Solidarity Games; 2028 Summer Olympics · Wikipedia contributors · Facts only, own words (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
  12. 12.Kick, Punch (combat), Roundhouse kick, Front kick, Low kick, Sweep (martial arts), Knee (strike), Clinch fighting, Jab, Cross (boxing), Hook (boxing) and Uppercut · Wikipedia contributors · Facts only, own words (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
  13. 40.WAKO website: About, Kickboxing Today, Rules Overview, Members List, Black Belt Directory, Events and news · World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) · Facts only, own words
  14. 41.WAKO Rules, 04.05.2022 v.2 (listed as last revised 25.10.2022), 190 pages · World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) · Facts only, own words
  15. 42.WAKO rule changes 2026: letter to all WAKO members on the decisions of the WAKO IF Board of 20 March 2026, with the K1 Style, gender, nationality, dissident organizations and seeding papers · World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) · Facts only, own words
  16. 43.WAKO Official Categories in 2026 (age and weight, 5 February 2026) · World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) · Facts only, own words
  17. 44.WAKO Medical Rules, version 3, 30 January 2021 · World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) · Facts only, own words
  18. 47.WAKO Grading Programme for Kickboxing (update April 2025), with the black belt certificate fees and the international black belt ID · World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) · Facts only, own words; the syllabus content is WAKO's and is summarised, never copied
  19. 49.WAKO Parakickboxing Rules, revision 0, 29 November 2024 · World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) · Seen only; cited for the date the rules were published
  20. 52.The World Games (IWGA) news: Kickboxing and Lacrosse IOC recognised (1 December 2018); Full IOC recognition to four IWGA members (22 July 2021) · International World Games Association · Facts only, own words
  21. 53.Olympic Federation of Ireland: IOC Executive Board approved WAKO application for Full Recognition (14 June 2021) · Olympic Federation of Ireland · Facts only, own words
  22. 54.ISKA World Headquarters: About Us, Disciplines, Rules, Directors, Contact and ISKA UK Results · International Sport Kickboxing Association (ISKA) · Facts only, own words
  23. 55.ISKA Europe Rules and Regulations, V1 change June 2018 · ISKA Europe · Facts only, own words
  24. 56.ISKA Amateur Members Association ring sports rules (January 2025) and tatami sports rules (February 2025) · ISKA · Facts only, own words
  25. 57.ISKA United Kingdom · ISKA UK · Not read: the site blocked every request on 8 and 26 October 2026
  26. 58.WKA International website: Home, WKA History, General Information, Official Rules, Dan Grading, Certificates and Black Belts · WKA International · Facts only, own words; the site runs a third party advertising script, so only its home page is linked
  27. 59.WKA Official Rulebook for Mat Sports 2019, WKA Official Rulebook Amateur Combat Sports 2019 and WKA Constitution · WKA International · Facts only, own words
  28. 60.WKUWORLD website: Home and calendar, Belt Grading, Imprint, Official Websites, Organisation, Aberdeen Open and English Open Midlands · WKUWORLD GmbH, Karlsruhe · Facts only, own words
  29. 61.WKUWORLD/GCO Prüfungsprogramm (grading programme), edition of 22 March 2020, in German · WKUWORLD · Facts only, own words, read in German
  30. 62.International Combat Organisation (ICO) · ICO · Facts only, own words; its older site is not linked
  31. 63.World Kickboxing Council / World Karate Council (WKC) · WKC · From EveryDojo's governing bodies research of 8 October 2026 only
  32. 80.Kickboxing GB website (rebuilt in 2026): Home, Who We Are, Policies, Club Membership, Athletes, Coaching, Safeguarding, Events, Contact and Club Finder · Kickboxing GB Ltd · Facts only, own words
  33. 81.Kickboxing GB news: the junior athlete rule change (3 August 2025), concussion guidelines (27 September 2024), Building a Modern Sporting Legacy (14 October 2026), membership policy (8 August 2024), Jesolo medal table (28 September 2026), GB Grand Slam (27 September 2024) and WAKO's evolution (12 March 2026) · Kickboxing GB Ltd · Facts only, own words; children named in the Jesolo article are not recorded
  34. 82.Kickboxing GB Safe Practise Policy (27 July 2025) · Kickboxing GB Ltd · Facts only, own words
  35. 83.Kickboxing GB Concussion Policy (27 August 2023) · Kickboxing GB Ltd · Facts only, own words
  36. 84.Kickboxing GB Membership Policy Statement (23 November 2023) · Kickboxing GB Ltd · Facts only, own words
  37. 85.Kickboxing GB policies: Safeguarding Children Policy, codes of conduct for young people, parents and coaches, Photography and Filming Policy, National Team Selection Policy, New Club Approval Process and others · Kickboxing GB Ltd · Facts only, own words
  38. 87.Kickboxing Ireland website: Home, About, Downloads, Affiliation, Latest News and Find a Club · Kickboxing Ireland · Facts only, own words; only its home page is linked
  39. 88.Kickboxing Ireland Constitution (2020), Child Protection Update (2018) and the IMAC National Vetting Policy · Kickboxing Ireland; Irish Martial Arts Commission · Facts only, own words
  40. 89.UK sports councils' recognition: the September 2026 master list and the Sport England, sportscotland, Sport Wales and Sport NI pages (recorded 8 October 2026, rechecked 26 October 2026) · The four UK sports councils · Facts only, own words
  41. 90.Licensing Act 2003, Schedule 1, paragraph 17, as amended by the Licensing Act 2003 (Descriptions of Entertainment) (Amendment) Order 2013 · UK legislation (England and Wales) · Open Government Licence v3.0; used for facts only
  42. 91.North Northamptonshire Council youth directory: British Chinese Kickboxing Association (updated 27 February 2026) · North Northamptonshire Council · Facts only, own words; a council listing, not the BCKA's own site
  43. 92.Les Mills: BODYCOMBAT · Les Mills · Facts only, own words; an example of a branded fitness class, not an endorsement
  44. 93.English Contact Karate Association (ECKA) · ECKA · From EveryDojo's governing bodies research of 8 October 2026 only
  45. 100.EveryDojo kung fu research: the British Kung Fu Association (Lau Gar) and its kickboxing · EveryDojo · Internal research; its sources are listed on that art's own pages
  46. 102.EveryDojo karate research: WKF kumite and knockdown karate · EveryDojo · Internal research, for the karate comparison
  47. 103.EveryDojo taekwondo research: PUMA and independent associations · EveryDojo · Internal research
  48. 130.NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit: 5 questions to ask your child's sports club; the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts · NSPCC; NWG Network · Facts only; link
  49. 131.UK Concussion Guidelines for Non-Elite (Grassroots) Sport, as summarised by Kickboxing GB · UK Government and the Sport and Recreation Alliance · As summarised by Kickboxing GB; the guidance itself was not read for these pages
  50. 140.EveryDojo governing bodies research, 8 October 2026 · EveryDojo · Internal: each body's own site and the sports councils' lists, read on that date and rechecked where stated
  51. 141.EveryDojo club list snapshot, 8 October 2026: 362 clubs listed under Kickboxing · EveryDojo · Internal; a rough guide to how UK kickboxing clubs are organised
  52. 142.EveryDojo research queue count, 26 October 2026: 427 live Kickboxing clubs · EveryDojo · Internal

Photographs