Grand Conclusion of the Fifth International Open WAKO Kickboxing Championship 2026 at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, New Delhi

 

New Delhi:

The four-day Fifth International Open WAKO Kickboxing Championship 2026 concluded on a grand note at the K.D. Jadhav Indoor Stadium, Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex, New Delhi. Hosted by India, the prestigious international championship witnessed participation from more than 3,000 elite kickboxers from 25 countries, competing across Sub-Junior, Junior, and Senior categories.

The closing ceremony was formally inaugurated by Mr. Santosh Agarwal, Chairman, Indian Kickboxing Federation; Mr. Roy Baker, Chairman, World Kickboxing Federation; Dr. Rajeev Tyagi, Pro-Chancellor, Shri Venkateshwara University and National Vice President, Indian Kickboxing Federation; senior IAS officer Ms. Sonal Goyal; former Union Minister for Rural Development Phagan Singh Kulaste; Mr. Romeo Deja, Chairman, WAKO International Kickboxing Technical Committee; and National Advisor and renowned poet Dr. Dinesh Raghuvanshi, through ceremonial lamp lighting and the unveiling of the championship trophy.

Participation from 25 Nations

The championship saw participation from kickboxers representing Palestine, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Croatia, Estonia, Australia, UAE, Finland, Kazakhstan, Russia, Switzerland, among other nations, making it a truly global sporting spectacle.

India Emerges Overall World Champion

Delivering an exceptional performance, India topped the medal tally with 22 Gold, 32 Silver, and 44 Bronze medals, earning the title of Overall World Champion at the championship.

Presence of International Dignitaries

The closing ceremony was attended by federation presidents and vice presidents, sports ministers, technical officials, and diplomats from several participating countries. The event concluded with vibrant cultural performances by Indian artists, adding a memorable cultural dimension to the international sporting celebration.

Kickboxing Gaining Global Recognition: Dr. Rajeev Tyagi

Providing detailed insights into the championship, Dr. Rajeev Tyagi, National Vice President of the National WAKO Kickboxing Federation (affiliated with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India), stated that hosting the world championship in India reflects the growing stature of kickboxing in the country. He expressed satisfaction that kickboxing has been included under the “Khelo India” initiative and noted that the sport is progressing steadily towards inclusion in the Olympic Games.

Dr. Tyagi lauded the efforts of Mr. Santosh Agarwal, Chairman of the Indian Kickboxing Federation, for playing a pivotal role in giving kickboxing international recognition in India. He also announced that national-level kickboxing competitions will be organized at Shri Venkateshwara University in April, under the guidance of the university’s Founder Chairman, Mr. Sudhir Giri.

Congratulations on the Successful 

Founder Chairman of the Venkateshwara Group, Mr. Sudhir Giri, extended his congratulations to the nation on the successful hosting of the international championship. International officials including Antonio Sirendolo (Chief Referee, Switzerland), Adil Baykyuzeb (Uzbekistan), Marsh Peter (England), and David Marsh (Estonia) praised the smooth organization and high standards of the event.

Senior university officials, including Prof. (Dr.) V.P.S. Arora (Principal Advisor), Yuvraj Singh (Finance Director), Dr. Piyush Pandey (Registrar), Dr. Pankaj Chaudhary (Director, Meerut Campus), and Vishwas Rana (Media In-Charge), also conveyed their congratulations on the successful conduct of the championship.