WAKO Jr. World Championships

The World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) Junior World Kickboxing Championships was held August 22^nd to September 1^st 2024 at Bok Hall in Budapest, Hungary.  A record-breaking 3028 entries made the event the largest world championship league’s 47-year history. In all, 68 countries participated in the Olympic-style competition.

National Team members 15-year-old Xander Eddy and 14-year-old Gabby Viola represented Pittsburgh, North Huntingdon and the United States of America and became the first world medalists in Pennsylvania history. Eddy won silver in the -63kg Older Cadet division and Viola won bronze in the -50kb Older Cadet division.  Eddy also added a bronze medal in the team competition.  Both are students in the Norwin School district.  Gabby is the daughter of Bill and Jenn Viola and Xander the son of Adam and Dana Eddy.

Both athletes train at the Allegheny Shotokan Karate Dojo in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. The school has been serving the greater Pittsburgh region since 1969 under the supervision of Sensei Bill Viola Sr. and Sensei Bill Viola Jr. Joining them in Budapest were 12-year-old Carter Griffith from Penn Trafford and 16-year-old Riley Evans of West Hempfield.  Griffith was able to advance to round #3  after defeating China and falling short to the eventual gold medal winner from Poland.  Riley was eliminated in prelims by Greece, another evenual medal winner.

Viola and Eddy are member of Team USA Kickboxing the only kickboxing organization with American Olympic Committee (AOC) status. Bill Viola Jr. is the Chairman of Tatami Sports for WAKO USA and a coach for USA Kickboxing.

Opening ceremonies was held by former Hungarian President Pal Schmitt and Dr. Raffaele Chiulli from Italy, President of ARISF (Association of IOC) Recognized International Sports Federations.  The group was evaluating WAKO for inclusion to the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Africa. Kickboxing is an Olympic sport that was shortlisted for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, and WAKO officials are hopeful for a debut at the 2032 Brisbane, Australia Olympic Games.

USA Kickboxing and WAKO World Championships serve as the gateway to the Olympics. WAKO is the National Governing Body for the sport under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The kickboxing organization counts over 120 affiliated countries representing all five continents as the governing body of amateur kickboxing and officially recognized as an official kickboxing governing body by Sport Accord. WAKO is recognized by the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).  Viola and Eddy hope to represent America in the Olympics in 2032.  Next for Team Kumite is WKC Worlds in Portugal.

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