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AN INNOVATIVE K1 GOVERNING BODY
Message from the President, Morné Lotter:
"Over the years, I’ve witnessed firsthand how K1 Kickboxing transforms lives. This sport doesn’t just build champions in the ring, it builds strong and confident individuals that become champions in life. It develops self-esteem, shapes character, and teaches important values like perseverance, discipline, and personal responsibility. It empowers athletes to face doubt, manage stress, and handle confrontation with clarity and control.
The impact of these lessons goes far beyond the athlete. When we uplift athletes, we uplift communities. That’s why our mission is clear: to bring the life-changing benefits and opportunities of K1 to every corner of our country.
Greatness in this sport demands relentless dedication. Our vision is to make that pursuit more accessible and affordable for all who commit themselves to the journey, because every athlete deserves the chance to rise to greatness."
ABOUT US
WKU K1 South Africa is the official national governing body for K1 Kickboxing under the World Kickboxing Union (WKU) and recognized by the Global Combat Sports Organization (GCO). We operate in collaboration with the Kickboxing Organization of South Africa (KOSA), and all our members benefit from dual membership with both WKU K1 SA and KOSA.
Our core mission is to grow, uplift, and regulate K1 Kickboxing across the country. We provide a sustainable and inclusive platform that empowers athletes, reduces participation costs, and promotes equal opportunities. By establishing clear standards and offering structured progression, we ensure that athletes can focus on long-term success and career building, while also upskilling coaches and creating career pathways for officials. This approach strengthens the entire K1 community, ensuring growth at every level of the sport.
We place a strong emphasis on Fight Night promotions and title fights as central elements of our vision. Our model is designed to nurture talent at every level, from grassroots to elite professionals, with the goal of elevating the sport to a professional standard and providing athletes with a clear pathway to success.
Whether you're stepping into the ring for the first time or pursuing world titles, we offer a professional and accessible pathway for everyone. From beginner-friendly development modes and structured amateur rankings to high-level national, intercontinental, and world title fights, our system is designed to support your growth at every stage. We cater for all levels, offering opportunities for amateurs, Pro-Am athletes, and seasoned professionals to compete, progress, and shine on local and international stages.
WHAT IS K1?
K1 Kickboxing is one of the most dynamic and exciting combat sports in the world, combining the most effective striking techniques from various martial arts into a single, fast-paced and action-packed format.
K1 Kickboxing began with the legendary K-1 events in Japan during the 1990s. These events brought together the best fighters from various martial arts such as Muaythai, Karate, Taekwondo, and Kickboxing to compete against one another. To ensure fair and competitive matchups across styles, the K-1 ruleset was developed as a balanced middle ground that respected the strengths of each style. The overwhelming success of these events led to K1 eventually evolving into a sport of its own, blending together effective techniques from different striking styles. Today, K1 Kickboxing is a globally recognized combat sport, known for its fast-paced and action-packed style.
K1 Kickboxing rules are designed to keep the action fast and exciting by focusing on striking while limiting excessive clinching / holding. Fighters are allowed to use:
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Punches, kicks, and knees to the head, body, and legs.
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A brief 1-second clinch (grabbing the opponent) with the intention to execute 1 knee strike or sweep.
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Kick catches, with a 1-second window to deliver a counterattack.
These rules create a dynamic fighting style that rewards skill, timing, precision, and stamina, making K1 both strategic and highly entertaining.
K1 is not just for professionals. At WKU K1 SA, our model supports athletes at every level, from raw beginners learning the basics in the ring to elite athletes aiming for international titles. Through our development modes, progression system, and K1 gradings, fighters can safely build their skills while progressing through the ranks. As they develop, athletes have the option to move from lighter contact levels toward full contact competition.
OPPORTUNITIES
We are committed to creating meaningful local and international opportunities for athletes at every stage of their journey. All our modes take place in the ring, giving athletes the chance to develop their skill, conditioning, and mental resilience before advancing to full K1 Rules.
Our structured development pathway includes:
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K1 Light Contact (Development Mode)
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K1 Hard Contact (Development Mode)
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K1 Full Contact
More details on each mode are available in our amateur rulebook under the "Rules and Regulations" section.
We also offer a world-class K1 Curriculum for instructors seeking official WKU K1 SA licensing. Becoming a licensed WKU K1 instructor will give you access to internationally-certified gradings and a detailed K1 curriculum covering a wide range of techniques, combinations, and sparring strategies, ranging from white belt to black belt.
Our Support Network is designed to uplift and empower athletes, coaches, officials, gym owners, and event organizers. Membership with WKU K1 South Africa gives you access to services provided by our partner network, helping you lower costs and build a sustainable career in the sport.
benefits WHEN JOINING
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Free Annual Medical Examinations
International and National Title Fights For Juniors and Seniors
Educational Courses and Webinars For Athletes, Coaches and Officials
Discounted Supplements and Free Supplements For Champions
Discounted Physiotherapy and Free Physiotherapy For Champions
Support Structures Making International Opportunities More Affordable
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Internationally-Certified K1 Gradings
and Athlete Development Path
Gradings and Career Paths For Referees and Judges
Online Rankings, Fight Record and Results Tracking
INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL AFFILIATIONS
partners
We are grateful to have the partners below as part of our Support Network, having the right team that shares the same vision is crucial for success.
Our Support Network consists of a variety of services provided by our partners that make the sport more affordable and accessible to athletes, gym owners, and event organizers. Each partner plays a pivotal role in our mission to create equal opportunities for everyone and to empower our members to make successful careers in the sport.
