Following the successful conclusion of the WAKO World Championships for Children, Cadets and Juniors in Jesolo, where WAKO broke all records in terms of the number of competitors and overall participants, and where an event of this scale ran smoothly throughout all eight days, WAKO President Mr Roy Baker sent a letter of appreciation to all WAKO members.
“Dear Athletes, Coaches, National Federation Presidents, Parents, Friends, and Members of the WAKO Family,
As the WAKO Youth World Kickboxing Championship 2026 in Jesolo, Italy, has now come to a close, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you who contributed to making these Championships such a special and unforgettable event.
To our athletes, who gave their very best in every bout; to our coaches, who guided and supported them throughout their journey; to the Presidents and representatives of our National Federations; and to the parents, friends, and supporters who stood behind every competitor — thank you for being part of this incredible WAKO family.
Your dedication, commitment, respect, and passion are what make our sport truly special.
Together, we created unforgettable memories, strengthened friendships across nations and cultures, and once again demonstrated the true spirit of WAKO: unity, respect, excellence, and passion for kickboxing.
But while thousands of us were together inside the competition venue in Jesolo, an enormous global community was following every moment of the Championship through our social media channels and live broadcasts.
Over the past 14 days, we have broken all our previous records:
- Instagram: Over 5 million views
- Facebook: 2.6 million views
- TikTok: Over 600,000 views
- Live Stream: 308,000 total views
- Live Stream: 10,201 unique viewers
These extraordinary figures represent much more than numbers. They demonstrate the growing popularity of kickboxing, the passion and engagement of our global community, and the increasing interest in the achievements and stories of our athletes.
Every view represents someone who chose to watch, support, discover, or reconnect with our sport. Every share and every message helped us take kickboxing one step further around the world.
These results give us tremendous motivation to continue reaching new audiences, telling more inspiring stories, supporting our athletes, and bringing the values and excitement of kickboxing closer to people everywhere.
The success of this Youth World Championship in Jesolo, Italy, from 18th to 27th September 2026, belongs to all of us.
It belongs to every athlete who stepped onto the tatami or into the ring, every coach who prepared their team, every National Federation that supported its athletes, every official and volunteer who contributed to the event, and every parent, friend, and supporter who was there along the way.
WAKO is not simply an organisation. WAKO is a global family, united by a shared passion for kickboxing and by the values of sport.
A very special thank you goes also to our amazing Organizing Committee, Media Committee, Medical, Health and Anti-Doping Committee, and Ring Sports and Tatami Referee Committees, whose tireless work and dedication were essential to the success of this Championship. Thank you for your trust, your commitment, your friendship, and for everything you continue to do for WAKO and for our sport.
Let us carry the spirit of Jesolo forward and continue to grow together, stronger and more united than ever.
With sincere gratitude and appreciation,
Roy Baker
WAKO President”
Letter of gratitude to all WAKO members_Jesolo WC 2026_29.09.2026
