News

The World Martial Arts Games Movement endeavors to provide up to date reporting on all activities including organizational changes, events, news updates, press releases and periodic publications.

World Martial Arts Games News

August 25, 2010 Geneva, Switzerland - WMAGC announces that the 2010 World Martial Arts Games in Las Vegas next month will showcase their new Grapple/Strike event. The finished product is the result of many months of dedicated planning by both the Great Britain National Martial Arts Games Committee and the WMAGC Rules Committee. The announcement is made in conjunction with the release of the 3rd Addition of the World Martial Arts Games Rules and Regulations Version 3.1. See Press Releases.

April 21, 2010 Geneva, Switzerland - Schramm Sport GmbH, DBA – KWON, Germany and the WMAGC have reached an agreement for Sponsorship of the 2010 World Martial Arts Games in Las Vegas, USA. The agreement sees KWON providing an undisclosed cash payment as well as a supply of their innovative SHOCKLITE Headgear to WMAG athletes. In return KWON will take the Presenting Sponsor position and become the Exclusive Martial Arts Goods Supplier for this year’s games. See Press Releases.

April 13, 2010 Geneva, Switzerland - WMAGC is pleased to announce that TAFISA Secretary-General Wolfgang Baumann will be present for the opening ceremonies of the 2010 World Martial Arts Games in Las Vegas, USA. This marks the first time that a TAFISA Official has attended a WMAGC event. Mr. Baumann is a prominent figure in the global Sport for All movement. His presence confirms TAFISA’s support for the WMAGC and their goal of promoting Sport for All throughout the martial arts community. See Press Releases.

March 26, 2010 Geneva, Switzerland - The Association for International Sport for All (TAFISA) has granted Patronage for the 2010 World Martial Arts Games which will take place at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel, in Las Vegas, USA, September 17 through 19. The WMAGC goal to provide equal opportunity for women and men of various skill levels and ages, to compete in a safe and inclusive environment at this year's games, fits in well with TAFISA's Sport for All objectives. See Press Releases.

February 9, 2010 Geneva, Switzerland - Great Britain is the latest country to establish an Official National Martial Arts Games Committee by completing the initial phase of the new National Martial Arts Games Committee guidelines. Leading the NMAG GB will be Ross Iannoccaro, who is also WMAGC's Grappling Committee Chair. See Press Releases.

January 25, 2010 Geneva, Switzerland - The World Martial Arts Games Committee announces that Las Vegas, USA will be the host city for the 2010 World Martial Arts Games. This year's Games mark the 5th anniversary of the World Martial Arts Games Movement and will take place at the Mandalay Bay Hotel, in Las Vegas, September 17, 18 & 19, 2010. The 2010 WMAG hosting committee will be headed up by Alberto Friedmann, National WMAG Director for the USA. Mr. Friedmann will report to the WMAGC Executive Committee. See Press Releases.

May 4, 2009 Geneva, Switzerland - The World Martial Arts Games Committee announces that Reinold Singel will assume the role of WMAGC Executive Director. Mr. Singel will act as the first line of communication between the WMAGC Executive Office and the National Martial Arts Games Committee’s (NMAGC), monitor protocol and release of information and NMAGC requirement compliance. He will report directly to the WMAGC President and Executive Committee. See Press Releases.

April 2, 2009 Geneva, Switzerland - The World Martial Arts Games Committee is pleased to announce that the Trim and Fit Sport for All Association (TAFISA) has granted Patronage for the 2009 World Martial Arts Games which will take place at the Whitlam Leisure Centre, in Sydney, Australia, September 11, 12 & 13, 2009. TAFISA, an International Olympic Committee (IOC) Recognised Multi-Sport Organisation, has just come away from a very successful 4th TAFISA World Sport for All Games held in Busan, South Korea last September. Patronage of this event extends TAFISA’s reach within the World Sports Community. See Press Releases.

March 10, 2009 Geneva, Switzerland - The World Martial Arts Games Committee is pleased to announce that Sydney, Australia will be the host city for the 2009 World Martial Arts Games. This year's Games will take place at the Whitlam Leisure Centre, in the dynamic city of Sydney, September 11, 12 & 13, 2009. The 2009 WMAG hosting committee will be headed up by Alex Micakovski, National WMAG Director for Australia. Mr. Micakovski will report to the WMAGC Executive Committee. See Press Releases.

October 14, 2008 Victoria, B.C. Canada - The World Martial Arts Games Committee (WMAGC) is pleased to announce that their participation in the 4th TAFISA World Sport for All Games in Busan, South Korea was a huge success. The WMAGC delegation from around the globe demonstrated Chinese Hand and Weapons Forms, Japanese/Okinawa Hand and Weapons Forms, Creative Forms, Kickboxing and Sport Jujutsu at the BEXCO Centre on September 27th and 29th. While in Busan, WMAGC President Kenneth Marchtaler and Vice President Carl Emery attended the 10th Asian Sport For All Association (ASFAA) Congress along with other members of TAFISA, Government Officials, UNESCO representatives and IOC members. The WMAGC was successful at strengthening existing relationships while establishing new ones in the areas of Martial Arts Sport and Sport for All. See Press Releases.

April 25, 2008 - The WMAGC is pleased to announce that they will take part in the 4th Busan TAFISA World Sport for All Games, September 26 to October 2, 2008 in Busan, South Korea. The WMAGC will assemble a team of international athletes who will demonstrate the WMAGC disciplines of Chinese Hand and Weapons Forms, Japanese/Okinawa Hand and Weapons Forms, Xtreme Hand and Weapons Forms, Kickboxing and Sport Jujutsu. Participation in the 2008 Busan TAFISA World Sport for All Games will replace the previously planned World Martial Arts Games event that was slated for September 20 to 22, 2008 in Busan. See Press Releases.

April 17, 2008 - World Martial Arts Games Committee announces that WMAGC Director Carl Emery has established the ‘Kickboxing for Peace Initiative’ with long-time friend Billy Murray. The official announcement took place at UNICEF Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Both gentlemen were joined by array of diplomats, senior politicians and international press. Irish President Mary McAleese sent a personal message of support to the launch. The initiative, which was conceived by Emery and Murray in Belfast years ago, will promote peace and understanding for children around the world through sport. See Press Releases.

October 9, 2007 - The World Martial Arts Games Committee announces that they have become an active member of the leading authority on Sport for All - TAFISA. The decision came at the 20th TAFISA World Congress Annual Meeting held in Buenos Aires, Argentina September 30, 2007. During the same congress, WMAGC Chairman Ken Marchtaler was selected as the North American Director for the newly formed Pan American Sport for All Association regional body of TAFISA. As a result of these recognitions, the WMAGC has adopted the motto “Martial Art Sport for All” to reflect their continuing support and development of Sport for All (SFA) within the martial arts community. See Press Releases.

September 21, 2007 - The WMAGC announces that the 2008 World Martial Arts Games will be held September 20 to 22, 2008 at the Kijang (Gijang) Gymnasium in Busan, South Korea. The 3rd World Martial Arts Games will take place in the heart of Asia and within one of the highest concentration of martial arts athletes in the world. Busan 2008 is expected to be the highest profile and best attended event so far. See Press Releases.

September 19, 2007 - The WMAGC announces that Chairman Ken Marchtaler will represent the WMAGC at the 20th TAFISA World Congress being held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, September 25 to 30, 2007. TAFISA is an International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized Multi-Sport Organization with a head office in Frankfurt, Germany. This year’s World Congress will focus on “Sport for All: Meeting the Challenges of Building Social Capital. See Press Releases.

July 11, 2007 - The 2008 World Martial Arts Games will be held in Busan, South Korea. This follows an earlier decision to relocate next year's games from Islamabad, Pakistan due to potential security risk to athletes and officials. The move to South Korea, not only provides a safe political climate for the 2008 WMAG, it will also encourage more participation from surrounding Asian countries. Details of the event will be announced in the next few weeks. See Press Releases.

June 27, 2007 - The World Martial Arts Games Committee (WMAGC) announces that they have been accepted as a supporting member of TAFISA. TAFISA is an IOC Recognized Multisport Organisation with over 150 members from 100 countries around the globe. Full membership into TAFISA will be decided by vote at the 20th TAFISA World Congress taking place in late September in Buenos Aires, Argentina. See Press Releases.

June 4, 2007 - The World Martial Arts Games Committee is pleased to announce that WMAGC Chairman Kenneth Marchtaler, has been given a "Legend of Martial Arts Award" and the title of Grand Master by the Punjab Sport Karate-Do Association of India. The award is for Mr. Marchtaler's participation and contributions in the development of martial arts on a global scale. The award also includes a Lifetime Membership to the association. See Press Releases.

May 30, 2007 - The World Martial Arts Games Committee (WMAGC) announced today that the Netherlands has become the 40th Nation to join the World Martial Arts Games Movement. This follows recent appointments of WMAG National Directors in Azerbaijan, Croatia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, South Korea, and Trinidad & Tobago. The WMAGC advises that there many new membership applications in the development stages and that the Movement continues to grow at a rapid pace. See Press Releases.

March 12, 2007 - The World Martial Arts Games Committee (WMAGC) announced that the words fight, fighter, fighting or any form of the word "fight" will be removed from their current Rule Book and vocabulary. In its place will be the words spar, sparring, match, competitor, athlete or other non-violent words. These changes are being made in order to comply with the Olympic Charter and the Olympic mission to promote a peaceful society, high standards in sport ethics, non-aggressive education of youth and to ensure that fair play prevails and violence is banned. See Press Releases.

February 7, 2007 - The World Martial Arts Games Committee and the World Martial Arts Games Movement were recently the feature story of an international news agency. The story reflected our efforts to date which appear to be creating a phenomenon in the world martial arts community. See Press Releases.

December 18, 2007 - Regensburg Germany will be the host city for the 2007 World Martial Arts Games. Next year’s Games will take place at the University Sports Arena, in the historic city of Regensburg, July 27 to 30, 2007. See Press Releases.

August 23, 2006 - Relatively low turnout no stumbling block for WMAG. It's a Catch-22. In the martial arts world, a tournament has to build a reputation for attracting top-level competitors before many top-level competitors will come. See Press Releases.

August 17, 2006 - Ken Marchtaler is looking forward to Monday. For the past year the operator of Victoria's OMAC Martial Arts school has been inventing the wheel, working as chairman of the first-ever World Martial Arts Games that takes place this weekend at Bear Mountain Arena. He needs a break. See Press Releases.

August 11, 2006 - Carl Emery, the 1994 kickboxing world champion from Geneva, Switzerland was honoured in July, along with World Kickboxing Network (WKN) promoter Billy Murray at a special dinner in Dublin with Irish President Mary McAleese. See Press Releases.

July 28, 2006 - The World Martial Arts Games Committee (WMAGC) is pleased to announce that WMAGC Co-Founder and Director Carl Emery of Switzerland and World Kickboxing Network’s (WKN) Billy Murray, were recently honoured by Mary McAleese, President of the Republic of Ireland. At a special dinner held July 12, 2006, the two long-time friends along with other personalities were thanked by Mrs. Aleese for their involvement in activities that bring both catholic and protestant communities together. See Press Releases.

June 2, 2006 - The Hosting Committee of the 2006 World Martial Arts Games announces that Mike Chat who starred as the Blue Ranger in Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue, will take part in the 2006 World Martial Arts Games activities set for Bear Mountain Arena August 18, 19, 20, 2006. See V2006 News for Details.

April 28, 2006 - The World Martial Arts Games Committee welcomes the countries of Armenia, Egypt, Liberia, Macedonia and Spain to the World Martial Arts Games Movement. This brings the current National WMAG Member total to 33 as we head towards the 2006 World Martial Arts Games in Victoria, Canada.

February 27, 2006 - The World Martial Arts Games - Victoria 2006 Hosting Committee is pleased to welcome Greg Martin, Bill Hunter, Cathy West and April Dorey to the Victoria 2006 Executive Committee. See V2006 News for Details.

February 16, 2006 - Federação Brasileira de Artes Marciais (FEBRAM) of Brasil announced that they have entered into a partnership agreement with Yamato Corp of Brasil. Brasil’s WMAG National Director Tiago Okamura says Yamato Corp has agreed to assist FEBRAM with the initial start up costs including marketing materials and web design.

February 6, 2006 - The World Martial Arts Games Committee unveils the new WMAG logo.

January 19, 2006 - WMAG welcomes Tiago Okamura and the country of Brasil to the World Martial Arts Games Movement. Mr. Okamura forms Federação Brasileira de Artes Marciais (FEBRAM) as the WMAG National Organization for Brasil.

December 15, 2005 - Nigerian National Karate, Tae Kwon-Do and Wushu organizations unite to form a unified World Martial Arts Games Nigeria Federation (WMAGNF).

December 14, 2005 - WMAG announces that the 2006 World Martial Arts Games will take place August 18, 19, 20, 2006 in Victoria, Canada. See Press Releases.

December 7, 2005 - World Martial Arts Games Committee membership grows to 26 nations with the addition of Romania and Morocco.

November 14, 2005 - WMAG acquires its first South American member when Wushu stylist Julio Buenahora joins as WMAG Director for Uruguay.

November 10, 2005 - Ken Marchtaler is elected Chairman of the Founder’s Committee, the governing body of the World Martial Arts Games until the first elections scheduled to be held August 21, 2006 in Victoria, Canada. See Press Releases.

November 8, 2005 - Renowned Jujitsu champion Tair Nariman, takes the role of WMAG Director for Russia.

November 5, 2005 - The World Martial Arts Games Movement adds Bangladesh, Cote D’Ivoire and Ethiopia bringing the total international membership to 21.

November 2, 2005 - 16 countries have made a commitment to bring teams to the 1st World Martial Arts Games to be held in Victoria, Canada.

October 21, 2005 - The World Martial Arts Games Draft Charter is sent to more than 50 country representatives inviting them to join in the movement and the opportunity to be one of the recognized founders of the World Martial Arts Games Movement.

September 7, 2005 - The first draft edition of the World Martial Arts Games Charter is released to the current members.

August 21, 2005 - The plan is put in motion for development of the World Martial Arts Games Charter.

August 9, 2005 - Initial founders agree on the name World Martial Arts Games. Alfred Kleinschwaezer registers the World Martial Arts Games website URL on behalf of the newly formed committee.

July 26, 2005 - Alfred Kleinschwaerzer of Germany and Kenneth Marchtaler of Canada lay the groundwork for the formation of a non-profit, democratic, multi-discipline world martial arts games organization.