WKO ROOKIES Explanation and Definition:

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We are often asked if we have beginner categories?

The answers is yes indeed we do.  

 

These are what we label Rookies and have  no difference in the requirements between:

• Ringsports

• Tatami Sports

 

Rookies in Martial Arts Based - Combat Sports:

Based on a new martial artist starts training, after 3-6 months starts grading within 12 months has graded 3-4 times which would look like:

9th Kyu (White Belt)

8th Kyu

7th Kyu

So the 6 months getting ready to start to grade, then 12 months of beginner grades = 18 months Training and Competing Combined.

 

Sparring in clubs is at different stages but on average:

• 3 months training  

• 3 Months sparring  

 

So after 6 months training should be learning the basics to spar competently.

 

Once can spar competently and safely:

3 Months of competitive sparring, with the aim to win based on

• Clean shots landed

• Effective defensive skills

• Effective countering

• Closing and adapting the distance 

• Overall intention to win each round

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Leaves 9 months to compete as a beginner (Rookie)  Then fighters by this stage want to fight all comers I know I did after about 6 months training, fighters simply want to fight because fighters, fight!

 

All above are widely classed as beginner grades and phases.

 

So within an 18 month period they have learnt the basics and been tested safely in the gym.  After this period are will be ready for harder challenges facing opponents. 

 

So clubs looking for beginner competitions we certainly do cater for you.

 

The standards are high regardless of beginner or advanced and as a coach you know if your students are ready to be tested at these levels.

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Remove the pressure to win in their first fights or even in the Rookie stage, let them enjoy it and cut their teeth. When they learn that it wasn't a loss and it was a lesson learnt, they wont be sulking about it and quitting. They will understand exactly what need to work on in the gym in order to develop and progress.

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My team, Dragonfoot have a 2/3 loss ratio on paper, they ain't losing... they are learning hard lessons that simply cannot be taught in the gym. When they don't fear losing, that is

when the fun really begins.

 

Summary:

 

A Rookie = A Martial Artist on less than 18 Months Training & Competing Combined starting from the first day they train in any combat sport based in either Boxing or Martial Arts, Regardless of styles/rules/clubs trained in or competed in.

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If for example competed as a 'Pointfighter' on tatami then move to 'Light Contact' in the ring, you are.

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What are the consequences if identified:

 

Mistakes happen, if any registers in correctly and we are notified we will simply move them to the correct experience level for them. 

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Should anyone be identified as competed within a Rookie section, that are later proved with verifiable evidence. And that that evidence clearly shows dates training or competing at dates much longer away that 18 months from the day identified to have competed. Then they will be removed from the system by disqualification, results changed and win giving to actual Rookie that was robbed of a fair contest.

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Rule in effect from: 29th April 2024 and event hence forth from this date

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Coaches you know your fighters strengths and weaknesses, make the right call that only eligible Rookies compete in Rookies categories.

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THE DEFINITION OF AN AMATEUR  WKO FIGHTER:

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The following are rules which govern an amateur fighter under the World Kickboxing Organisation.

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• WKO Amateur Fighters must be at least 7 years old to compete in Ring-Sports, though there is no minimum training age.

  • A WKO Amateur Fighter is a junior from his 7th birthday (at which age he is eligible to hold a competitors licence)

  • It is recommended that Junior WKO Amateur Fighters do not concede age, weight and experience more than 2yrs and 5k in weight in any contest. The final decision for any contest is the responsibility of the WKO Chief Official in agreement with coaches and event organiser.

  • With Children a parent or guardian will always have the final say, as they hold the responsibility for their child

  • A WKO Amateur Fighter becomes a Senior on his/her 18th birthday. When s/he reaches his/her 35th birthday, he/she will be classed as a Veteran.

• WKO Amateur Fighters will box no more than 3 x 2 minute rounds none title bouts. In Open Championships and Internationals, fighters will box either 2 or 3 rounds at a time with an interval set by the event organiser, in line with WKO Official Rules.

• Commonly 3 x 2 minute rounds. In every case there will be an interval of one minute between rounds.

• There are three classes of  WKO Amateur Fighters:

  • A Novice C-Class is a WKO Amateur Fighter who has not competed in any stage of an Open Championship or Gala.

  • An Intermediate B-Class is a WKO Amateur Fighter who has entered and competed in an Open Championship or Gala but has not won a Regional Association Title, won a Novice Class 'B' Title or returned from professional competing.

  • An A-Class is a WKO Amateur Fighter who has won a WKO Open Championship, National WKO  Title or represented his or her Country at World Championships.

• Rounds duration: unless the conditions for Championships or other authorised events prescribe otherwise, the duration of bouts for Junior WKO Amateur Fighters will be as follows:

• WKO Open Tournaments can consist of:
  2 x 1min Round 30 Seconds Rest
  2 x 1.5min Round 1 Minute Rest
  2 x 2min Round 1 Minute Rest
  3 x 1min Round 30 Seconds Rest
  3 x 1.5min Round 1 Minute Rest
  3 x 2min Round 1 Minute Rest

• WKO Sanctioned Gala bouts may also consist of:
  WKO Open Tournaments can consist of:
  2 x 1min Round 30 Seconds Rest
  2 x 1.5min Round 1 Minute Rest
  2 x 2min Round 1 Minute Rest
  3 x 1min Round 30 Seconds Rest
  3 x 1.5min Round 1 Minute Rest
  3 x 2min Round 1 Minute Rest

• Title Bouts on WKO Sanctioned Gala's will consist of:
  Under 12yrs
  Area Title
  3 x 1 Min Round 30 Seconds Rest
  National Title
  5 x 1 min Round 30 Seconds Rest
  International & Above
  5 x 1.5 Min Round 1 Minute Rest
  Under 18yrs
  Area Title
  3 x 2 Min Round 1 Minute Rest
  National & above
  5 x 2min Round 1 Minute Rest

• Any amateur featuring on an WKO sanctioned Gala event will not receive a fight purse. But can receive ticket commission at an agreed rate between promoter and fighter.

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THE DEFINITION OF A PRO-AM WKO FIGHTER:

 

The following are rules which govern a PRO-AM fighter under the World Kickboxing Organisation.

• WKO PRO-AM Fighters must be at least 18 years old to compete under PRO-AM Rules.

• There are no contracts required for PRO-AM Fighters.

• WKO PRO-AM Fighter must hold a valid licence but is recommended that they also hold a competitor licence.

• WKO PRO-AM Fighters will box no more than 3 x 2 minute rounds with 1 minute rest none title bouts.

• Title bouts shall be 5 x 2min Round 1 Minute Rest

• There are two classes of WKO PRO-AM Fighters:

  • An Intermediate B-Class is a WKO PRO-AM Fighter who has had 10 or more fights.

  • An A-Class is a WKO PRO-AM Fighter who has had over 20 fights.

• Rounds duration: unless the conditions for authorised events prescribe otherwise the duration of bouts for WKO PRO-AM Fighters will be as follows:
  None Title Bout 3 x 2min Round 1 Minute Rest
  National Title & above
  5 x 2min Round 1 Minute Rest

• At PRO-AM level all fighters will not be required to wear head-guards. But will be required to wear all required protective equipment designed for the desired rules to be contested.

• Any PRO-AM fighter featuring on any WKO sanctioned Gala event will not receive a fight purse. But can receive ticket commission at an agreed rate between promoter and fighter.

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THE DEFINITION OF A PROFESSIONAL WKO FIGHTER:

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The following are rules which govern a PROFESSIONAL fighter under the World Kickboxing Organisation.

• WKO PROFESSIONAL Fighters must be at least 18 years old to compete under WKO PROFESSIONAL Rules.

• A Contract must be signed and agreed between fighter and promoter listing and agreeing to all terms  prior to the scheduled bout.

• A WKO PROFESSIONAL Fighter must hold a valid licence but is STRONGLY recommended that they hold a competitor licence.

• WKO PROFESSIONAL Fighters will contest no less than the minimum 3 x 3 Minute rounds with 1 Minute rest (None title bouts)

• Title bouts shall be 5 x 3min Round 1 Minute Rest

• There are two classes of WKO PROFESSIONAL Fighters:

  • An Intermediate B-Class is a WKO PROFESSIONAL Fighter who has had at least 10 Fights.

  • An A-Class is a WKO PROFESSIONAL Fighter who has had at least 20 Fights.

• Rounds duration: WKO PROFESSIONAL Fighters will be as follows:
  None Title Bout
  3 x 3min Round 1 Min Rest
  National Title & above
  5 x 3min Round 1 Minute Rest

• At PROFESSIONAL level all fighters will be NOT BE ALLOWED to wear head-guards. But will be required to wear all required protective equipment designed for their desired rules.

• Any PROFESSIONAL featuring on any WKO sanctioned Gala MUST receive a fight purse. And/or can receive ticket commission at an agreed rate between promoter and fighter.

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In all instances all levels of fighters must be fit to fight, pass pre-fight medical and hold a current and valid licence.
 

WKO strongly recommends that all fighters hold a 'Competitor’s licence'

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