WAKO Canada
5008 South Service Road L7L 5Y7 Burlington, ON, Canada

2020 started out incredible 1st ever kickboxing show in Yellowknife; FROSTY FRIENDS setting record numbers; ... The incredible 2020 Ontario Winter Games. Then the world turned upside down. The upheaval impacted our clubs and the entire sector. COVID has perhaps been the most unexpected challenge faced by sport in modern times. WAKO Canada continued to support our clubs through Town Halls, Youth Forums, regular communications, working with mainstream media, and constant negotiations with Public Health and By Law offices. Our membership grew to over 160 clubs across the country. Many looking for leadership during an uncertain time. The massive and ongoing lobby effort with governments continues. Our organization has taken a lead role for the Martial Arts and Combative Industry and will continue to be a strong advocate. But the real heroes of this crisis have been WAKO Canada club owners. These incredible women and men have shown such dedication to their members by maintaining the safest facilities, the strictest health protocols, and constant innovation in programs. As we turn away from 2020, we will be leading a sport revival for 2021. Our collective resilience will propel us forward. ‘While many sports for forced to shut down during this COVID crisis, the kickboxing sector continued. I am incredibly proud of our clubs, and our many leaders. I am still inspired by our young members on many showing hope and determination beyond their years. I wish everyone a safe and wonderful New Years!’ Muzammal Nawaz, President WAKO Canada

2020 started out incredible 1st sanctioned kickboxing show in Yellowknife; FROSTY FRIENDS setting record numbers; ... The success of the 2020 Ontario Winter Games. Then the world turned upside down. The upheaval impacted our clubs and the entire sector. COVID has perhaps been the most unexpected challenge faced by sport in modern times. WAKO Canada continued to support our clubs through Town Halls, Youth Forums, regular communications with members, working with mainstream media, and constant negotiations with Public Health and By Law offices. Our membership grew to over 120 clubs across the country. Many looking for leadership during an uncertain time. The massive and ongoing lobby effort with governments continues. Our organization has taken a lead role for the Martial Arts and Combative Industry and will continue to be a strong advocate. But the real heroes of this crisis have been WAKO Canada club owners. Club owners have shown such incredible dedication to their members by maintaining the safest facilities, the strictest health protocols, and constant innovation in programs. As we turn away from 2020, we will be leading a sport revival for 2021. Our collective resilience will propel us forward. ‘While many sports for forced to shut down during this COVID crisis, the kickboxing sector continued. I am incredibly proud of our clubs, and our many leaders. I am still inspired by our young members on many showing hope and determination beyond their years. I wish everyone a safe and wonderful New Years!’ Muzammal Nawaz, President WAKO Canada

2022 OWG Announcement! . It has been announced that Renfrew County will be host of the 2022 Ontario Winter Games! . Kickboxing is one of 27 sports again to be part of Canada’s largest multi-sport games. WAKO Canada will work with our Ontario Clubs to select Coaches, Officials and 150 athletes aged 10-19 to be part of this fantastic event!... . Selection camps will start in September 2021. More info to come! . Better news is coming! . #wakocanada #ontariowintergames See more

Another ZOOM Course! . WAKO Canada will be offering another ZOOM Level 1 Coaching Certification Course in November 7th. . Our first 3 ZOOM Courses were highly successful and we encourage all instructors, coaches but also parents, students and athletes to take one of our certification courses.... . The information covered is great professional development and keeps you educated in all part of the sport, education and supporting athletes and students of the martial arts! Plus you get a cool certificate! . Registration info is below: . https://wakocanada.org//ev/zoom-level-1-coaching-course-2/ . #wakocanada #coaching #teaching #learning See more

WAKO Canada taking a lead in clarifying rules and allowing our clubs to remain open with safety policies in place. WAKO Canada contiues to work with all BYLAW offices and the Province to ensure information is being disseminated appropriately.

To those that continue to support our clubs; To the Club Owners that continue to persevere; To the dedicated leaders of WAKO Canada ... . You have all shown incredible resilience in the most trying of times.... . You continue to be my inspiration. . Tomorrow will come and the future will be bright again. . I wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. . For those that celebrate Christmas I wish you and your family an uplifting spiritual holiday. . Merry Christmas and have a happy New Years! . #wakocanada #kickboxing #onewako See more

STRONG AND SAFE . WAKO Canada Clubs continue to be dedicated to the highest standards of health and safety during this unsettling time. . As COVID infections continue to rise across the country and in certain hotspots, Martial Arts clubs remain dedicated to the well being of our students.... . Emails have been sent to all member clubs - especially those Ontario clubs in Peel, Ottawa and Toronto - outlining our positive status as PSO member clubs. . This pandemic is affecting everyone and even though our clubs are able to continue to operate we will continue to show leadership and be positive. . In the wise words of South African businessman Vusi Thembekwayo - . ‘We can choose to be emotional or choose to adapt, but we cannot choose both.’ . #wakocanada #kickboxing #karate #kungfu #taekwondo #jujitsu #muaythai #boxing See more

Dear Member Clubs, . After 4 very successful ZOOM Level 1 Courses we are offering 2 courses to start the 2021 year. . The Level 1 Course is open to all coaches, instructors, athletes, parents and fans of kickboxing!... . The course is a professional development and educational course that covers - . Sports Injury Management Coaching Ethics Athlete Planning Coaching Excellence . The courses will be January 23 and February 21 2021. . Register early as all 2020 ZOOM Coaching Courses were full before the deadline! . https://wakocanada.org/news-events/events/ . #wakocanada #kickboxing #coaching #coach #certification

Combative Cooperation The past few weeks has been incredibly busy gathering together martial arts clubs across the spectrum to be part of a communication to government. How can Martial Arts training continue in a new COVID Era.... Our clubs are doing an amazing job keeping Canadians engaged, active, positive and safe though martial arts training. Our coalition of clubs represented the broad range of martial arts and combative sports that included: Kung Fu Karate Ju Jitsu Tae Kwon Do Kickboxing Wrestling Muay Thai Grappling Judo Wu Shu Boxing Clubs gathered collective knowledge to present a plan for the collective benefit to the incredible number of participants involved in one or more of our disciplines. Collectively our sports are unique as they provide important physical literacy but also an invaluable and sometimes intangible benefit of leadership and character development. All sports can and should lead to life lessons beyond the field of competition. However, the intrinsic purpose of martial arts training and teaching is to lead a positive life. It was such an honor to work with so many different Provincial Sporting Organizations (PSOs), martial arts clubs and combative teams to craft a return to sport plan to government. Our plan is to ensure a safe transition back to normal club activity and future competition. While the status and control of COVID will determine the next steps for normalcy it was an tremendous effort to gather together hundreds of clubs towards a common vision. Thanks to everyone for your contribution to a unified voice. Cooperation is wonderful thing. . . #karate #kungfu #taekwondo #kungfu #kickboxing #muaythai #wushu #boxing #wrestling #judo

Competitions will be Back! . We are all looking forward to getting back to the way life use to be before COVID. . Even though that future seems so distant we must continue to plan and prepare.... . The dedicated athletes are in the gym training and working on improvements. . Coaches and Instructors continue to be creative in club programming and keeping athletes motivated. . And WAKO Canada continues to dialogue with governments, explores new programs and courses to help clubs, and also prepares for the return of our highly popular events. . We are rounding out this year with three final ZOOM Level 1 Coaching Certification Courses. . October 18 November 7 November 29 . Our last two ZOOM Courses were full so register early for one of these three events. . The certification courses are open to instructors, athletes, parents and fans of our amazing sport! . The certification is also mandatory for all corner persons. With the Level 2 Course dates being finalized for 2021 competing Level 1 is important! . To register for any of these courses go too: . . https://wakocanada.org/news-events/events/ . . #wakocanada #onewako #kickboxing #karate #kungfu #taekwondo #jujitsu #muaythai #coach #certification See more

Another ZOOM Course in the books! . We just finished running our second online coaching course. . 21 participants representing 15 clubs from 4 provinces earned their Level 1 Certification!... . Awesome job everyone! A special thanks to Muzammal Nawaz for taking your Sunday to facilitate another educational session! . #wakocanada #onewako #coach See more

2021 Calendar On the way WAKO Canada has been working hard behind the scenes with both Provincial/Territorial and Federal government departments advocating and representing our industry. We have seen our clubs open early and some exemptions provided for our clubs. We hope that more structured and safe exemptions will allow us to see competitions in the near future.... We are currently finalizing a new date for the NATIONALS as well templates for club events and additional tournaments. At the same time, we are actively looking for ways to support our member clubs and the industry as a whole. We know that club development and professional development for coaches is a vital way of strengthening our grassroots. WAKO Canada has produced two courses that were to be released this year. Due to social gathering limitations, the venues had to restructure their bookings. We have now almost finalized new dates in early 2021 for both the : IN THE ZONE and the INSTRUCTORS COURSE These dates will be provided in the coming days. The first course sessions will be limited to only 50 participants each. Prior to COVID, 34 persons had already signed up for the IN THE ZONE and 39 for the INSTRUCTORS COLLEGE. We are honoring those registrations for the new dates. As soon as the new course dates are released register early! . #wakocanada #development #teaching #coach #growth #growthmindset

Big things coming .... . #wakocanada #onewako #onlineportal

ONTARIO TOWNHALL . A special thanks to the 44 clubs that were on our Provincial Town-hall today. . We are moving our proposal forward with government with all the Combative PSOs working in collaboration. ... . It is amazing to see the synergy of so many clubs coming all martial arts and Combative Sports working together to see positive change for our industry as a whole! . #wakocanada #boxing #kickboxing #karate #muaythai #taekwondo #kungfu #jujitsu #wrestling #grappling See more

Next Coaching Course . We held our 1st ZOOM Coaching Course last month and we were at full capacity with 25 participants! . Our next ZOOM Coach Course is September 20. We only have 6 spots left open so register quickly if you want in!... . To register go to the following link: . https://wakocanada.org/news-events//zoom-coaching-course-2/ . . #wakocanada #onewako #coaching #kickboxing See more

Kickboxing was part of a 27 multi-sport event with over 3000 officials, coaches and athletes. The event was organized and funded by the Ministry of Sport. Our young athletes got to stay in an athletes village, be part of an opening ceremonies and get coached by a select group of provincial coaches from some of the top clubs in the country! WAKO Kickboxing is growing in leaps and bounds in Canada as we are part of the mainstream sport community!... WAKO Canada focusing on our young athletes!!!

Beyond Competition Many believe that sport teaches important life lessons. We also know there can be negative impacts in sport, especially if winning becomes the sole priority of coaches, parents and athletes. Martial Arts has the amazing quality of having personal development as the central part of our training. While there is always an option to compete, the priority is developing a healthy body and a growth mindset.... At a time when the future of sport competition is still unknown, martial arts and kickboxing clubs are actively engaging their members in training, setting personal goals, and encouraging members to become the best versions of themselves. Our WAKO member clubs have outstanding coaches that prepare new competitors for development competitions, as well as elite level athletes for National and International events. While competitions are on a temporary hold, our member clubs will continue to focus on building character, wellness and excellence in all of our students and athletes! All three qualities are the essence of our amazing sport! . #wakocanada #onewako #martialarts #kickboxing #karate #kungfu #muaythai #taekwondo #jujitsu #sport

Looking for the Right Club As September approaches all parents are looking for programs that are engaging, challenging and foster important values. WAKO Member Clubs provide amazing educational and skill development programs. As you navigate your children’s return to sport amidst this COVID19 pandemic be assured that all WAKO Canada Clubs ... Have Certified Coaches with background checks Use strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID19 Are communicating all club requirements Are compliant with provincial/national requirements Are fostering a culture of respect, health and safety Have everyone is completing a COVID19 waiver And most importantly our clubs are providing opportunities for your child to work hard, and have fun within the constraints of the ‘new normal.’

WAKO Canada is truly a National Association. One of our strongest areas is Eastern Canada. Newfoundland has produced a number of top athletes over the years. Led by Robbie Wiseman (ROCK Athletics) and Chuck McCarthy (Round 13) these two coaches and club owners have developed a strong provincial group of athletes. Both lead by example with each having won a number of medals at the WAKO Worlds!

CLUBS of EXCELLENCE WAKO Canada is incredibly proud of our Martial Arts and Kickboxing Clubs! Throughout the COVID19 lockdown many of our clubs kept students and athletes engaged through various social media platforms and other methods of training. With the opening up of gyms across the country our clubs continue to follow strict safety rules while keeping members active, healthy and learning.... While it is easy to get complacent or be swayed by others, our clubs are not cutting corners! They are demonstrating amazing leadership and a profound responsibility for their members and the industry as a whole. ‘The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.’ John Maxwell

CONGRATULATIONS!!! . WAKO Canada wishes to congratulate Roger and Aly Lumyoung who tied the knot this weekend! . Roger is one WAKO Canada’s premiere Referees for many years and a dedicated member of our association.... . We wish the new couple infinite happiness and lovely life together as husband and wife! . #wakocanada #marriage #muaythainiagara #love See more

Amazing Support from OMEGA-ALPHA . This amazing company has supported Canadian athletes from BC to NL and even sponsored the 2020OWGs. . They are now providing support to WAKO Canada clubs during this challenging COVID time.... . An email has been sent to all WAKO Canada clubs with the sanitation support being offered. . The company will ship out a sanitation support package at a massive discount to any of our member clubs! . Thank you Omega Alpha for stepping up to help small businesses! . #wakocanada #onewako See more