ABU DHABI: Emirati fighters are celebrating success in both the seniors’ and masters’ divisions of the WAKO World Kickboxing Championship.
Organized by the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation at ADNEC Abu Dhabi, the event was held over six days and saw 2,000 athletes from 150 countries, representing five continents, taking part.
It is the first year the championship has been held outside Europe and in the Middle East.
The UAE’s national team claimed a total of 25 medals — nine gold, seven silver and nine bronze, representing the country’s best result in its world championship history.
This edition also recorded the largest-ever UAE delegation, featuring 92 male and female athletes across various divisions and weight categories. This included the People of Determination team, whose outstanding performance contributed significantly to the UAE’s medal tally.
Abdullah Saeed Al-Neyadi, vice president of the International Muay Thai Federation and chairman of the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation and Asian and Arab Muay Thai Federations, said: “We are proud of the historic achievements of our national team in this global championship. We dedicate this success to our wise leadership, whose support has provided every foundation for excellence in sport. This achievement crowns years of continuous development and investment in the youth of the UAE, who proved their ability to compete and raise the UAE flag at international arenas.”
He added: “Hosting a championship of this scale with such broad global participation reinforces the UAE’s status as a leading destination for major sporting events. We look forward to building on this success in the coming years.
“We are proud of the global recognition and international praise the championship received. In a short period, the federation successfully organized world-class events in Muay Thai and kickboxing, the largest and first of their kind in the Middle East, reflecting our commitment to attracting elite sporting events, expanding knowledge exchange, and developing national teams.”
The president of the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations, Roy Baker, said: “What we witnessed in Abu Dhabi reflects an exceptional organizational level, the best in the history of kickboxing world championships. The UAE demonstrated its remarkable capability in hosting major events with excellence and professionalism. This edition stands out among the greatest in the history of WAKO.”
Meanwhile, Ali Khouri, WAKO executive board member and UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation board member, added: “We are proud of the global recognition this championship achieved, and of the fruitful collaboration with partners and sponsors who played a key role in its success.
“This historic achievement is the product of strategic planning and unified efforts across technical and administrative bodies. The championship delivered an unprecedented organizational experience on all fronts.
“The event received international media coverage, most notably through the International Olympic Committee channel, confirming its value and global stature. It also embodied the UAE’s commitment to inclusive sport, especially through the participation of People of Determination in partnership with Special Olympics UAE.”
