Kickboxing above the standards
Kickboxing with its disciplines point fighting, light contact and full contact was at the first time participating at the European Games.
The competition took part at the Myslenice sport arena which was perfect facility for this format of tournament.
The layout of the sport hall was absolutely stunning. Perfect position of the ring and raised tatami podium made the entire competition very high quality, with light show and announcer, kickboxing was presented as a very spectacular discipline. Audience had a complete atmosphere to enjoy.
„I am very happy that kickboxing has become a part of European Games Krakow-Malopolska 2023 and our 128 top male and female kickboxers joined this great celebration of sport“, said WAKO Europe President Mr. Istvan Kiraly.
At the day of the finals here was 16 fights in all three disciplines. We witnessed great skills and perseverance of the fighters, both male and female.
The medal ceremonies were attended by, among others, Mr. Spyros Capralos – President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) who handed out bronze, silver and gold to the medalists of the men’s full contact -86kg: 1. KRASON Robert (POL), 2. HAMDI HAJI Mohammed (ESP) 3. IVANIADZE Zurab (GEO) 3. MELNYK Artem (UKR).
Interesting thing happened after the competition was finished, when WAKO Europe kickboxing Organizing Committee donated all foldable constructions, banner bearers and all metal and plastic components and constructions of the hall settings which are no longer needed, to the local Animal Shelter. Those constructions will be used to create more humane conditions for the shelter’s animals to stay.
