The 2026 WAKO World Championship for Children, Cadets and Juniors took place in Jesolo Lido, near Venice, with the official WAKO event running from 18 to 27 September. The championship brought together youth athletes across WAKO's kickboxing disciplines for one of the major events on the international calendar.
For Great Britain, the campaign ended with the team at the top of the overall medal table. Kickboxing GB described the result as a fourth consecutive year at the top of the world medal standings, crediting the athletes alongside coaches, referees, medical staff, families, clubs and the wider national pathway.
Chris Collymore's role with Kickboxing GB
Chris is not simply attending international events as a club coach. Kickboxing GB officially lists Chris Collymore as Head Coach Juniors, while its athlete pathway information also lists him for Juniors and University Games.
That national role sits alongside his work in Northampton, where Chris leads the Onyx Kickboxing programme for children and adults.
He also serves as Chairman of Kickboxing GB's Referees Committee, adding an officiating and rules perspective to his coaching experience.
A GB programme producing world champions
The official WAKO ranking records show British athletes winning World Championship divisions in Jesolo across the youth categories. Results include GB world titles in Junior and Older Cadet Point Fighting, as well as titles in other disciplines. One Older Cadet athlete recorded first-place World Championship results in both Point Fighting and Kick Light at the event.
The significance is broader than any one medal. Finishing first overall requires depth across a national squad, and Kickboxing GB's announcement specifically highlighted the combined work of athletes and the support structure behind them.
Part of a sustained national-team run
The 2026 result follows a major GB performance at the 2025 WAKO Youth European Championships, also held in Jesolo. Chris authored Kickboxing GB's report from that event as Head Coach of the Youth Squad. Great Britain took 129 athletes making 198 starts and finished first on the European medal table with 34 gold, 30 silver and 36 bronze medals.
The latest World Championship result therefore continues an established run rather than standing in isolation.
What this means for Kickboxing in Northampton
For Onyx, the important connection is practical. The coach leading our Friday Kickboxing programme is directly involved in the national youth structure at the highest level of WAKO competition.
That does not mean every student at Onyx is expected to compete. Competition remains optional. It does mean that local beginners and developing athletes are learning within a programme informed by current national-team coaching, competition standards, rules and athlete development.
Kids Kickboxing currently runs on Friday at 6:30 PM, followed by Adult Kickboxing at 7:30 PM at Unit E-7, KG House, Kingsfield Way, Northampton.
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