The Next Generation of Champions: 2024 Junior and Cadet World Kickboxing Championships

The President of ARISF Raffaele Chiulli attended the 2024 Junior and Cadet World Kickboxing Championships in Budapest, Hungary, as a guest of honor. The event was impressive, with 3,152 athletes from 69 countries across all five continents participating—truly a global competition. The championships featured 12 competition areas that hosted 3,652 individual matches over the course of eight days. Over 210 international referees worked tirelessly to ensure fair play, equality, and a level playing field for all competitors. Each day, more than 10,000 people were present in the arena.

The scale and professionalism of the event left a positive impression on President Chiulli. He remarked, “The professionalism and care I saw toward the athletes were remarkable, and the capability of these young competitors was inspiring to watch. Their physical, technical, and tactical skills were amazing. I was also impressed by the gender balance at this event. Well done to President Baker and his team.”

The event was attended by several important dignitaries, Olympians, and Olympic champions, including Balla Dieye, Sports Director of YOG Dakar 2026 and Olympian; Pál Schmitt, former President of Hungary and two-time Olympic champion; Dániel Gyurta, Director General of the Sports Diplomacy Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Olympic champion; Péter Bíró, CEO of the National Sports Agency; Balázs Baji, Deputy CEO of the National Sports Agency and Olympian; Norbert Kovács, Deputy CEO of the National Sports Agency; László Fábián, Secretary General of NOC Hungary and Olympic champion; and Gábor Deregán, Executive Director of the International Fair Play Committee. Ambassadors from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan were also in attendance, clearly indicating the event’s significance and the prominence of kickboxing in these countries.

This event showcased the talent and dedication of young athletes and highlighted the growing appeal and inclusivity of kickboxing.