The dispute between the Combat Sports Federation (FNKDA) and the Portuguese Kickboxing and Muay Thai Federation (FPKMT) is not new, but it saw a new chapter this Sunday. So, after the FKMT retinue returned from the ISKA (International Sports Kickboxing Association) World Championships with several medals won, the FNCDA issued a statement classifying these results as a “hoax”. FNKDA, which is affiliated to WAKO (World Association of Kickboxing Organizations), an organization that regulates kickboxing worldwide and intends to keep the modality alive in Portugal, has raised a number of doubts about competitions held in Turkey. “The presence of a Portuguese kickboxing team at a Tier 3 martial arts tournament in Turkey with amassed 71 medals from 80 athletes should make those who are fueling this hoax starting with the government agencies that fund this Lesadesporto blush in shame. show even some coaches and former athletes with a curriculum and a career in serious world kickboxing competitions.

Out of 80 athletes, 71 get medals, I think it’s unlikely and serious enough to look at the way the sport is going, which is its destruction, and it should serve as a reflection of what is being done with the sport. Kickboxing with this performance immediately hit the top sports draws of the year.

These competitions have no official oversight, no anti-doping control or significant regulation, which poses serious risks to the physical integrity of the athletes. There are no official verified records of the participants or their origin, the equipment is not official, these tests are not regulated by anyone except the participants themselves, since they are a private company.

Behind this participation, presented as historical, lies a perverse reason: many athletes have been asking for money, getting into debt and creating difficulties in pursuit of a dream that is a hoax, without regulation and trust. To ensure the dream of a medal in such competitions, to play with the desire and work of athletes, is at the very least unseemly, mean and malicious,” reads a statement signed by Joao Diogo, Acting President of the FNKDA.

Carlos Ramjanali, Executive Director of WAKO, also commented in the same statement: “This tournament organized by ISKA was not kickboxing, the competition was organized in Turkey by the Kempo Federation. to justify the funds he receives from the state. However, this is a crime against sports, against sports truth and before the safety of athletes. The trivialization of medals, as happened here, when athletes fight only one fight, lose and still win a silver medal is absurd and the antagonism of what is sport. The state should intervene, I think this example is a clear example of the direction kickboxing has been given in Portugal. This championship in Turkey was dedicated to martial arts, the only agent who says specifically for kickboxing was the Portuguese Kickboxing and Thai Boxing Federation, perhaps to justify the funds it receives from the state.

In conclusion, FNKDA referred to the WAKO European Championship, which will be held from November 11 in Turkey. “Athletes who qualify for the European Olympic Games and the World Games next year, two events with the seal of the Olympic Committee, will travel to Turkey next week to compete for the WAKO European title.”