ISKA (sports governing body)
International sanctioning body for sport karate and kickboxing.
Founded in 1985 and based in the United States, the ISKA—first called the International Sport Karate Association, later also the International Sport Kickboxing Association—governs international karate and kickboxing competition. It arose after legal and financial troubles weakened the Professional Karate Association (PKA).
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 1985
- Industry
- Kickboxing
- Kun Khmer
- MMA
- and Sport Karate promotion
- Country
- United States
- Key people
- Cory Schafer (President)
Facts from the source article.
History
Before the ISKA existed, the PKA was the top global kickboxing sanctioning body from 1974 to 1985. It was key in bringing the sport to ESPN and creating the first official rankings for fighters. The ISKA was formed on July 16, 1986, by five major American promoters and former PKA executives. Its first U.S. directors were Mike Sawyer, Karyn Turner, Tony Thompson, John Worley, and Scott Coker. Many former PKA promoters started using the ISKA to sanction their events, and some joined its leadership. The new organization quickly gained legitimacy by securing ESPN broadcasts for its championship fights in 1986. Because WAKO was mainly in Europe and WKA in Asia, the ISKA expanded into Europe starting in October 1986, with directors Olivier Muller, Jérome Canabate, and Mohamed Hosseini. American Richard Mayor served as European President from 1986 to 1988 to set up that wing. By 1991, Mike Sawyer and Olivier Muller shared worldwide control as co-chairmen. The ISKA secured international TV coverage and set up separate organizations around the world for sanctioning and grading. Cory Schafer became ISKA President in 1997. In the early 2000s, the ISKA began sanctioning K-1 events like K1-MAX and K-1 USA, and for several years it also sanctioned both kickboxing and MMA events for Strikeforce. Starting in 2012, it sanctioned events for the GLORY kickboxing promotion. Today, the ISKA runs the U.S. Open, the world’s largest martial arts tournament, drawing thousands of international competitors each year.
Current activities
ISKA operates as the primary sanctioning body for kickboxing across the United States and more than 50 other nations, overseeing all major styles such as K-1 Rules, Full Contact, Oriental Rules, Muay Thai, Semi Contact, and Low Kick. Its Martial Arts World Championships take place each year during the Fourth of July weekend at the US Open of Martial Arts in Disney World, Orlando, Florida. This two-day event draws over 8,000 competitors and 12,000 spectators, culminating in the Night of Champions, which previously aired on ESPN in both live and pre-recorded formats. The US Open held the record as ESPN’s longest-running martial arts event until 2023, when it transitioned to FITE. Year-round, highlights continue to broadcast on CSI Sports networks, reaching roughly 85 million households.
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