The 2026 WAKO World Championship for Children, Cadets and Juniors is taking place now in Jesolo Lido, Italy. WAKO’s official event information lists the championship from 18 September to 27 September 2026 and describes it as an all-disciplines youth world championship.
That makes this a useful moment to look beyond medals and consider what younger kickboxers — including those who have no intention of competing internationally — can learn from elite youth competition.
What is WAKO?
WAKO is the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations, the international federation for the sport across a range of kickboxing disciplines. In Great Britain, Kickboxing GB is the national governing body connected to WAKO competition and the national-team pathway.
Where are the 2026 Youth World Championships?
The official WAKO event listing places the championships at Jesolo Lido, near Venice in Italy. The event runs across ten days, covering children, cadet and junior categories and multiple disciplines.
At the time of publication on 19 September, the championship has just begun. Official results should be treated as provisional until WAKO publishes its completed results information.
Why youth world championships matter
International competition brings together athletes who have usually accumulated years of technical practice, domestic competition and squad development. The visible performance on the day is only the final layer of a much longer process.
That is important for young students to understand. Elite performance rarely comes from chasing advanced techniques early. It usually rests on fundamentals that have been repeated enough to hold up under pressure.
Lesson 1: stance and movement still matter at the highest level
Beginners sometimes assume advanced athletes stop working on basic movement. In reality, better athletes tend to perform basic actions with better timing, balance and decision-making.
A reliable stance gives an athlete options. Good footwork controls distance. Clean recovery after a strike makes the next decision easier. Those qualities are just as relevant in a local beginner class as they are at international level.
Lesson 2: competition is about decisions, not just techniques
Two athletes can know the same kick or punch and still perform very differently. The difference is often when they choose to use it, what they see beforehand and how quickly they adapt afterwards.
That is why good coaching gradually moves beyond isolated technique into drills that require athletes to recognise distance, timing and reactions.
Lesson 3: development takes time
National-team athletes are not built in a few weeks. Kickboxing GB’s published national-team information describes a pathway through domestic competition, squad training and selection. That gives younger students a useful model: first become competent locally, then accumulate experience, then test yourself at a higher level if competition is your goal.
Chris Collymore and the GB junior pathway
Kickboxing GB currently lists Chris Collymore as Head Coach Juniors. Chris also leads the Onyx Kickboxing programme in Northampton, giving local students access to coaching informed by the national junior pathway.
That does not mean every child should aim for international competition. It means the same fundamentals can be taught with a clear understanding of how they scale from beginner training to higher-level performance.
What recreational kids can learn from elite competition
A child does not need to chase medals to benefit from watching good athletes. Useful things to notice include:
- How often competitors return to a stable stance after attacking.
- How they manage distance rather than rushing constantly.
- How quickly they reset after making a mistake.
- How coaches communicate between rounds or breaks.
- How composure affects decision-making.
Competition should remain optional
World championships can be inspiring, but they should not make ordinary students feel that competition is the only valid reason to train. At Onyx, children can attend Kids Kickboxing for skill, coordination, fitness and enjoyment without entering tournaments.
For those who do want to compete, a strong foundation and patient progression matter far more than rushing into events.
How does a young athlete begin?
The first step is not an international event. It is learning how to stand, move, listen, practise with a partner and build consistency. Parents can read our Kids Martial Arts in Northampton guide and our article on what age a child should start martial arts.
Official sources
- WAKO — 2026 World Championship for Children, Cadets and Juniors
- Kickboxing GB — Coaching contacts and junior head coach
- Kickboxing GB — Athlete and national-team pathway
Start with the fundamentals.
Kids Kickboxing runs Friday at 6:30 PM at Onyx Combat Academy in Northampton. The first class is free and competition is optional.
Book a free kids class