History of the World Martial Arts Games Movement

The World Martial Arts Games Committee was founded in 2005 by Freddy Kleinschwärzer (GER) and Ken Marchtaler (CAN). The intention was to provide a platform that promotes participation in martial arts by all, including all styles, abilities, genders, ages, and backgrounds.

The organisation is directed and managed by a committee of international representatives from across the globe, representing a diverse range of martial arts styles and backgrounds (please see the Organisation page). The events organised by the WMAGC are intentionally and purposefully inclusive of both male and female participants of all ages and abilities, and from all backgrounds.

To uphold and deliver these principles of inclusivity, the WMAGC continually strives to build and develop an international collaborative network, creating cooperative working relationships and practices where knowledge, experience, and opportunities can be shared with martial arts organisations across the globe.

The umbrella term “Martial Arts” is intentional to ensure that the diverse range of martial arts styles practiced across the globe and at the local level are included. The WMAGC aims to be inclusive of the variations in martial arts to ensure that the repertoire of different styles facilitates participation by all, whilst also bringing together the martial arts community to generate international and collaborative relationships.

Participation in WMAGC events does not exclude anyone based on their gender, background, experiences, ability, opportunities, language, ethnicity, culture, or beliefs. Instead, it strives to ensure that anyone with an interest in martial arts gets the opportunity to participate, either as a competitor or as part of the event team.

Scrolling down will reveal a brief synopsis of all the international events since the WMAGC was founded in 2005.

14th World Martial Arts Games in Oslo, Norway – 06–10 November 2025

The Qube was our venue for the 14th World Martial Arts Games, held from 06–10 November 2025 in Oslo, Norway. Our responsible host was Mr. Kenneth Fjeld, a direct student and master of the famous Chuck Norris. Mr. Fjeld runs one of the largest martial arts schools in Norway and also works in personnel protection for various clients.

The Qube is the largest and most prestigious venue in Oslo and therefore provided a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be part of this unique event.

3rd European Martial Arts Games in High Wycombe – 03–04 August 2024

High Wycombe, near Gatwick Airport, was the host of our 3rd European Martial Arts Games from 03–04 August 2024. Around 700 participants took part in a perfectly organised event near London.

During the international European Conference, it was agreed that the next World Martial Arts Games would be held in Oslo, Norway, from 06–10 November 2025. Our host and new member, Kenneth Fjeld, a student of the famous Hollywood actor Chuck Norris, would be the host.

13th World Martial Arts Games in Daytona Beach – 27–30 July 2023

USA–Florida, and therefore Daytona Beach, was the location for the 13th World Martial Arts Games. The Ocean Center venue hosted hundreds of people from 8 nations. Mr. Drew Derrick-Bisbee, our Director for NMAC-USA, hosted this huge event.

For the first time, we cooperated with Mr. Reeves (former ISKA) and his independent breaking organisation. We replaced our breaking divisions for the first time with those of Mr. Reeves, and it became a massive success for both sides.

12th World Martial Arts Games in London – 27–29 October 2019

London was the location for the 12th World Martial Arts Games. The Egham Orbit venue hosted hundreds of people from 22 nations. Mr. Chris Hemstock, our Director for NMAC-GB, hosted this huge event.

For the first time, we cooperated with Mr. Joao Silva from Brazil and his organisation, SJJIF (Sports Jiu-Jitsu International Federation). We replaced our Grappling divisions for the first time with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and it became a massive success for both sides.

1st African Martial Arts Games in Botswana – 27–29 April 2018

Together with the UWKF and Mr. Imtiaz Abdullah, the first African Martial Arts Games took place in Gaborone, Botswana. Mr. Hemstock, our Secretary General of the WMAGC, was there to run and help organise the Games. They were held at the Seretse Khama Building in the capital of Botswana. These were small but well-organised African Games for the first time.

1st Asian Martial Arts Games – 12–14 November 2018 in New Delhi

Master BK Bharat and Neeraj Kumar Mehra from the National Martial Arts Committee in India were the hosts of the first Asian Games in New Delhi. With great success and a large number of participants, the event was held at the wonderful Talkatora Stadium.

2nd European Martial Arts Games – 15–19 August 2018 in Liechtenstein

The 2nd European Martial Arts Games were held in Schaan, Liechtenstein. Together with the WMAGC organising team, our host from Liechtenstein ran the event very successfully. We even had a high-level visitor and guest team from Lima Lama Mexico attending. The opening ceremony featured an outstanding performance by our host, Metin Kayar, who is the youngest Hanshi in history and a competitor and martial artist in multiple disciplines.

The Community Sports Center of Schaan was the venue for the 2018 European Games.

11th World Martial Arts Games – 07–10 September 2017 in Orlando, Florida, USA

The 11th World Martial Arts Games were held in Orlando, Florida. Team USA, with Dr. Alberto Friedmann, hosted the Games under the hardest circumstances, as Hurricane Irma was already in place and many participants, officials, and referees had to leave to secure their families and homes.

It was the biggest hurricane ever recorded, but his team did its best to make this event a great success. The opening ceremony, featuring the history of martial arts demonstrated by athletes from around the globe, and the final closing banquet were unique and will remain in our memories forever.

The Wyndham Orlando Resort was the venue of the World Games 2017.

10th World Martial Arts Games – 14–16 October 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa

Our 10th World Martial Arts Games were also our anniversary Games. They were held in the beautiful South African city of Johannesburg. The host of the Games was MASA (Martial Arts South Africa), under the guidance of Master Louise Viviers (President).

The Ticketpro Dome was the venue, and a recent meeting with all Martial Arts Leaders provided a solid base to run this fantastic event. We also had a new strong partner on board, LFSM. We were looking forward to getting to South Africa and competing with international top-level athletes, said the President of WMAGC, Grandmaster Alfred Kleinschwaerzer, and NMAC Great Britain – Master Hemstock.

9th World Martial Arts Games – 27–30 August 2015 in Norwich, GB

Mr. Chris Hemstock, Chairman of the National Directors and Host of the 2015 World Martial Arts Games #9, did a perfect job in Norwich. He and his fantastic team demonstrated professionalism and a family atmosphere. A great show programme opened these Games, and with more than 600 starts, this was one of the bigger events we had so far.

8th World Martial Arts Games & 1st TAFISA World Martial Arts Games – 3–7 September 2014

For the first time ever, TAFISA organised the 1st TAFISA World Martial Arts Games together with the officials of WMAC at the Olympic Oval in Richmond, Canada. The leading person in running the event was former WMAGC President Ken Marchtaler from Canada. His strong friendship and partnership with TAFISA made this possible.

The most exciting fact was that this event was patronaged by the IOC (International Olympic Committee). The overall organisation at this fantastic location was perfect, with about 1,000 volunteers taking care of every need.

7th World Martial Arts Games – 4–8 August 2013 in Bregenz

As mentioned before, Mr. Folladori received the right for the second time to run and organise the World Martial Arts Games, as he had helped and supported the hosting of the previous Games in his hometown.

During these World Martial Arts Games, Mr. Ken Marchtaler stepped down from his position as President of WMAGC and moved into the TAFISA Martial Arts Commissioner position to prepare for the 2014 TAFISA World Martial Arts Games.

At this stage, the international Congress decided to rename the WMAGC as WMAC (World Martial Arts Committee). Mr. Folladori was also later elected President of WMAC.

6th World Martial Arts Games – 10–12 September 2012 in Bregenz

In 2012, it was planned to organise the 6th World Martial Arts Games in Villars, Switzerland, by our member and Co-Founder, Mr. Carl Emery. Due to some difficulties, we could not continue with this venue and were forced to find an alternative location.

At this point, Mr. Folladori came into the picture and promised, convinced by WMAGC Founder Freddy Kleinschwärzer, to run the event in his hometown of Bregenz in Austria. Mr. Folladori became the WMAGC National Director with his newly created NMAC-Austria team.

1st Continental Martial Arts Games – 21–23 October 2011 in Cheltenham, GB

In 2011, we changed the format to Continental Games every two years, with the World Martial Arts Games taking place in between. This was an international request of the Congress held in Las Vegas in 2010.

Following this request, we held European and American Games in 2011. All events received patronage from TAFISA. The host of the first European Martial Arts Games was Master Ross Iannociaro from Great Britain.

5th World Martial Arts Games – 17–19 September 2010 in Las Vegas

It was the task of Dr. Alberto Friedmann, our Coach and National Director USA, to organise the 5th World Martial Arts Games at the beautiful Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas.

The Special Guest was the Secretary General of TAFISA, Dr. Wolfgang Baumann, who also granted patronage to this prestigious event.

4th World Martial Arts Games – 12–13 September 2009 in Sydney

Master Alex Micakovski, our Co-Founder of the movement and a very well-known and internationally successful athlete, took on the task of running and organising the 4th World Martial Arts Games in Sydney in 2009.

Together with the special guest of honour, Mr. Richard Norton, this event was a great success, and we also received patronage from TAFISA for this event for the first time.

3rd World Martial Arts Games – 26 September–2 October 2008 in Busan

In 2008, our Movement joined TAFISA as an “ACTIVE MEMBER” after a one-year period as a supporting member. In 2007, we took part in the TAFISA International Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

After TAFISA officials agreed and had seen our strength and the way and vision we believed in, they offered the WMAGC Movement the opportunity to become an official demonstration discipline at the TreX-Games in Busan, South Korea.

An international selection of officials and athletes gave a perfectly organised demonstration to present our idea to the world of martial arts.

See on the right the press release about our participation at the TAFISA TreX-Games.

2nd World Martial Arts Games – 27–29 July 2007 in Regensburg

In 2007, the 2nd World Martial Arts Games were planned to take place in Islamabad, Pakistan, with our Co-Founder, Master Sahid Bhatti. Due to bomb attacks, the Government prohibited foreign sports groups from entering the country to hold events, as there was a high risk at that time.

Germany therefore took over this responsibility at short notice in the beautiful city of Regensburg on the River Danube. The host was Alfred Kleinschwärzer, the President of NMAC Germany, and his team. See below the story written by Martial Arts International Magazine.

1st World Martial Arts Games – 18–20 August 2006 in Victoria

All Co-Founders and the Founder agreed at a meeting at the end of 2005 to hold the 1st World Martial Arts Games in the beautiful area of Vancouver Island, in Victoria, Canada.

The host of the Games was former WMAGC President and Co-Founder Ken Marchtaler.