08/08/2025
Kickboxing takes a positive step towards The Olympic Games Brisbane32.
The President of the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO), Mr. Roy Baker, met with members of the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee in Australia at the end of July.
The meeting took place at the Brisbane 2032 headquarters, where Mr. Baker gave a brief update on the sport of kickboxing, highlighting its global presence and growth.
Representing the Local Organising Committee (LOC) were Chief Sport Officer, Kit McConnell, Director of Sport Brendan Keane and Sport Analyst Kirsten Fisher-Marsters. The LOC team also presented to Mr. Baker the Brisbane Games vision, mission, and the process framework for the years ahead.
Following the meeting, President Baker expressed his optimism and enthusiasm by stating:
"With the worldwide popularity of K1 Kickboxing and the thriving market in Australia, Asia and Oceania markets, we are eager to showcase the best of what we can offer."
He highlighted that K1 Kickboxing was shortlisted as one of the nine sports for LA28 games, which led to a thorough engagement and assessment by the LOC. Mr. Baker and his team remain dedicated and motivated to pursue this again in the future, should the opportunity arise.
Baker continued:
"We learnt a lot from LA28 process and the prestige and recognition of being shortlisted, has given us great insight, motivation and understanding in to how, as a collective and a sport, we can achieve this objective for our athletes in the future".