The world of sports is constantly evolving, and new trends and innovations are continuously emerging. One such trend that has been on the rise in recent years is Kickboxing, a dynamic and exciting sport that has captured the attention of millions of people worldwide and in the US. With its potential for growth and popularity, the development of Kickboxing in the US is a topic of great interest and importance.
Kickboxing has massive potential in the United States, and the USA Kickboxing organization (WAKO USA) is essential in unlocking this. As an avid fan of this sport, I have dedicated my entire life to it and have expressed my willingness to support its growth as a volunteer activist since I first arrived in the US. In recognition of my achievements and experience, USA Kickboxing appointed me as the state director of North Carolina to contribute to this sport. I recently submitted a development plan to the organization, outlining my ideas for advancing the sport. With the proper support and resources, USA Kickboxing can win multiple World Championship medals and generate millions of dollars to promote this sport in the US and worldwide. An increasing number of people in the US are turning to Kickboxing for fitness purposes. Statista Research Department states that 6.69 million people participated in Cardio Kickboxing in the US in 2017, which has steadily risen yearly [1]. This presents a significant opportunity for the USA Kickboxing organization to capitalize on. To put this in perspective, let me give you an example. Ice hockey is a highly ranked and well-known sport that attracts the attention of millions of Americans. However, according to Statista, only 2.31 million people in the US played ice hockey at least once in 2021, compared to the 6.69 million who participated in cardio kickboxing [2].
Similarly, despite Mixed Martial Arts’ hype and promotion, it still needs to catch up compared to Kickboxing. Statista declared approximately 2.34 million people participated in Mixed Martial Arts in 2021 [3]. These figures highlight the enormous potential for USA Kickboxing to grow and become a significant player in the sports industry. The USA Kickboxing organization has a diverse membership base and is not solely focused on competitive Kickboxing. The majority of its members are primarily interested in Kickboxing for fitness purposes. This presents a unique opportunity to increase the organization’s membership significantly by tapping into the millions of Cardio Kickboxers across the US. Doing so can bring numerous benefits, including:
Revenue: With a significant increase in membership, the USA Kickboxing organization can generate more revenue through membership fees, event registrations, and sponsorships. This can provide more resources for the organization to invest in the sport and expand its reach.
Broader audience: The USA Kickboxing organization can attract a wider audience to the sport by adding more members. This can increase the sport’s popularity and create a more extensive fan base, leading to more exposure and potential partnerships with media outlets and sponsors.
Stronger community: Adding more members can help create a more robust and engaged community of kickboxing enthusiasts. This can lead to more support for the sport and a greater sense of community among its members.
Social identity: As social beings, humans naturally tend to form connections with others and establish a sense of belonging. Joining a group or community can provide a sense of identity, purpose, and belonging that can be immensely fulfilling and satisfying. Many seek social groups, clubs, and organizations aligning with their interests, values, and goals. One way to fulfill this is by providing fitness-oriented kickboxers a ranking system or grading belts to tap into this fundamental human need. This can result in the sense of achievement, identity, community, and motivation for these fitness athletes and make them identify with Kickboxing.
Talent pool: By providing them with the right resources and training opportunities, the organization can help to develop top-level talent and improve the overall talent pool for competitive Kickboxing.
Inclusion in the Olympic Games: Competing in the Olympics is a dream of all athletes. As a captain of the Iran National Kickboxing team and Asian Kickboxing champion, I have competed in this sport’s highest levels, from the Asian Games to the World Games, under International Olympics Committee’s (IOC) recognition.
The USA Kickboxing organization (WAKO USA) has newly officially become a member of the AOC within the Recognized Sport Organization category after receiving approval from the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) [4]. This recognition signifies that Kickboxing is now an official sport in the United States and is eligible for support from the USOPC and other relevant organizations. Expanding its membership base, the USA Kickboxing organization can make a stronger case for recognizing and promoting Kickboxing as a legitimate sport. This can lead to increased advocacy efforts and more partnerships with other sports organizations and governing bodies, ultimately creating more opportunities for the sport and its athletes. For example, Kickboxing, among nine other sports, has been invited to present its case for inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Through a large membership base, the USA Kickboxing organization can showcase the sport’s popularity and potential for growth, further strengthening its case for Olympic recognition and potentially opening even more opportunities for the sport.
In conclusion, the future of Kickboxing in the United States and the world is promising, given the significant number of kickboxers and the strategic plans of the USA Kickboxing organization. With this momentum, there is a strong possibility that the IOC will include Kickboxing in the Olympic Games. Furthermore, with the growing interest in Kickboxing for fitness and the potential for the sport to gain even more popularity and recognition, Kickboxing may continue to expand and surpass its current level of success.
The author is a Ph.D. Kinesiology and Exercise Science student at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a seven-time Asian Kickboxing champion.
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References:
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/191587/participants-in-cardio-kickboxing-in-the-us-since-2006/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/191626/participants-in-baseball-in-the-us-since-2006/
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/756780/mixed-martial-arts-for-fitness-participants-us/
- https://www.wakousa.org/wako-is-now-the-recognized-sport-organization-for-the-aoc/
