The Arnold Sports Festival once again demonstrated why it is the world’s premier multi-sport and fitness expo, attracting over 200,000 attendees and featuring more than 20,000 athletes competing in 80+ sports and events.
Founded by legendary bodybuilder and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the festival has grown into the largest event of its kind, bringing together elite competitors, fitness enthusiasts, and industry leaders from around the globe.
Martial arts have always been a cornerstone of the event, with the Kumite Classic leading the way as it celebrates its 25th anniversary in Columbus in 2025.
The Kumite Classic, one of the nation’s most prestigious martial arts brands, continues to raise the bar for combat sports excellence. Founded in Pittsburgh in 1999, the event has evolved into a premier showcase of martial arts talent, drawing elite competitors from across the world.
Established by martial arts visionary Bill Viola Jr., the Kumite Classic has become synonymous with high-level competition and innovation. Over the years, it has provided a platform for athletes to test their skills in various disciplines, including karate, kickboxing, kung fu, jiu-jitsu, and taekwondo, while also serving as a gateway to internationally recognized tournaments such as WAKO Nationals.
The World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) is at the forefront of the movement to bring kickboxing to the Olympic Games. As the official governing body for amateur kickboxing worldwide, WAKO has been working tirelessly to achieve full Olympic recognition, paving the way for athletes to compete on the world’s biggest stage.
The merger between the Kumite Classic and the Arnold Sports Festival provided a platform to host the WAKO National Championships and expand the league’s footprint for their team trials.
WAKO’s journey toward Olympic inclusion took a significant step forward in 2021 when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) granted it full recognition. This milestone positioned kickboxing alongside other combat sports, reinforcing its legitimacy and global appeal. WAKO continues to develop the sport by standardizing rules, ensuring athlete safety, and fostering fair play in international competitions.
“The Kumite Classic is more than just a tournament—it’s an experience of martial arts culture, dedication, and athletic excellence,” said Bill Viola Jr. “We take great pride in bringing together competitors, coaches, and fans to experience the best in combat sports while honoring the traditions and values that make martial arts so unique. Adding WAKO into the mix took things to the next level.”
Traditionally held in Pittsburgh, the Kumite Classic celebrated its 25-year legacy by merging with the Arnold Sports Festival, expanding the reach of both events. As a result, WAKO hosted its largest nationals to date, with over 1,000 athletes and coaches packing the Lausche Expo Center to compete in sport karate, kickboxing, Chinese kung fu, wushu, taekwondo, tang soo do, and even LED saber competitions.
In his role as WAKO Tatami Chairman for the United States and President of the Kumite Classic, Viola Jr. helped bridge the best of both worlds. “The Kumite Classic has been semi-retired since 2017. Only a special opportunity like merging the Arnold and WAKO could entice me to resurrect our signature event. Boy, was it worth it.
None of this would have been possible without the Kumite Classic family—we had over 100 full-time volunteers working tirelessly to keep everything running smoothly,” said Viola Jr.
“The Arnold Sports Festival is more than just a competition—it’s a celebration of strength, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence,” said event coordinator Robert Whatule. “Each year, we witness an incredible display of athleticism and passion from both competitors and fans, making this event a truly one-of-a-kind experience.”
As the Arnold Sports Festival continues to expand, organizers remain committed to delivering an unparalleled experience that inspires and educates fitness enthusiasts of all levels. With each passing year, the festival solidifies its legacy as the ultimate destination for athletic competition, industry networking, and fitness innovation.
This year’s event showcased an impressive range of divisions, including traditional kata, weapons, point fighting, and full-contact kickboxing, drawing renowned martial artists from various disciplines. The competition was fierce, with athletes demonstrating extraordinary technique and tenacity in front of an enthusiastic crowd.
Clarissa DeHoyo’s performance of Papuren and Cameron Klos’s presentation of Ohan Dai secured victories in the Traditional divisions, earning the coveted “Power Rings.” The duo also won a brand-new Tokaido athletic kata gi, courtesy of Tokaido USA.
Charles Bremner, CEO of Budomart, expressed his support for the event: “We are honored to be a part of the Kumite Classic and to support the traditional karate movement. Sensei Bill [Viola Jr.] has a long tradition of attracting top AAU, USANKF, and Shotokan organizations to compete at his events.”
Of course, the highlight of the festival was the sparring categories, where elite competitors battled for custom championship belts and the prestigious “MVP” Most Valuable Point Fighter rings.
The Black Belt Grand Championships (Open Weight) Title Belt Winners:
Adult Male: Brayan Rodriguez - Caracas, Venezuela (Diamond) presented by “DOJO”
Adult Female: Ki’Tana Everett, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Team Paul Mitchell) presented by “Female Fighters Matter Too”
Maggie Messina, founder of the nonprofit group SWERV (which empowers at-risk youth to achieve more in their lives), was a major contributor to the weekend by sponsoring the prize money for the women’s grand champion. Her organization is dedicated to helping people change direction and raise awareness through campaigns such as “Female Fighters Matter Too” (FFM2), an equality initiative aimed at ensuring female competitors receive prizes equivalent to those awarded in male divisions for grand champion titles.
Messina shared, “The belts were top-shelf, and the big crowd made it exciting! Everything ran smoothly with professional, certified judges. The friendly environment made it a great way to celebrate my birthday.”
“The Kumite Classic at the Arnold Sports Festival continues to grow in both talent and prestige,” said U.S. Army Head Coach Wesley Lawrence. “It’s incredible to see the dedication and skill of these martial artists as they push the boundaries of their abilities on such a grand stage. I’ve been to the Kumite Classic as a competitor, so I knew adding WAKO would be game-changing—and it did not disappoint. Bill puts the competitors first, and his production is beyond what other promoters do.”
A highlight of the event was the highly anticipated team trials, where top competitors engaged in high-intensity matches that captivated spectators, all vying for a spot on the official WAKO USA Team. Only gold medal winners earn a place on the adult team, while both gold and silver medalists qualify for the junior squad.
The Pan American Kickboxing Championships for Children, Cadets, and Juniors will take place from August 27 to 31, 2025, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The Senior World Championships are set for November 22 to 29, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Beyond competition, the event provided martial arts enthusiasts with the opportunity to engage with industry professionals, attend educational seminars, and explore the latest trends in martial arts training and equipment. Iconic global brands like Tokaido and Century were among the weekend’s sponsors.
Century President Michael Dillard was on hand to witness Team USA firsthand. Century awarded “All-American Patches” to honor the junior team members who medaled in Budapest, Hungary, last fall. Dillard stated, “We are proud to outfit Team USA for both the Pan Americans and World Championships. I am excited for the upcoming WAKO Century Cups and for building a future with the league.”
As WAKO continues to push for kickboxing’s inclusion in future Olympic Games, events like the Kumite Classic and USA Sport Karate play a crucial role in preparing athletes for international competition. The dedication and perseverance displayed at these events reflect the very spirit of the Olympic movement, ensuring that kickboxing continues to grow and thrive on a global scale.
The success of the Kumite Classic at the Arnold Sports Festival underscores the collaborative efforts to expand WAKO and the Olympic movement in the United States.
Next Up for WAKO:
The Pennsylvania WAKO State Games will be held on May 10 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Power Expo.
For more info, visit: www.kumiteclassic.com