WelcomeAs another year draws to an end, so

do the News Letter’s for 2016 !What a year it has been though Guys, harmony is once again filling the air around all that is the WMAGC. New faces have joined and many new faces will join us in the future too. Targets have been met, Goals achieved and many exciting Opportunities await. On the back of the 10th World Martial Arts Games in South Africa, the mood amongst Country Directors is very upbeat and the vibe amongst members is excitement, for the 2017 11th WMAGC - World Games are to be Hosted by Alberto Freidmann in the USA.(more on this later)

The Shores of the USA, a warm welcome is assured.

Germany Rendezvous 15th– 18th July 2016

A trip to Munich, Germany in July to the KWON Academy saw good friends President Freddy Kleinschwärzer and Chairman of the Board Chris Hemstock meet up and have several meetings as well as participate in the action packed KWON Academy.

On Sunday 17th Freddy and Chris headed South West of Munich towards the Ammersee Lake to meet with Metin Kayar from Lichtenstein. After several meetings with Metin he agreed to consider becoming a member the WMAGC, as the Lichtenstein Director.

Freddy Kleinschwärzer & Metin Kayar

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While at the Ammersee Lake deep in Southern Germany to Chris Hemstock’s surprise Freddy Kleinschwärzer presented him with his 6th Dan! Chris was completely overwhelmed and lost for words! Chris’s Daughter Harri Hemstock, had conspired with Freddy prior to the trip and together they arranged the surprise !

Freddy Kleinschwärzer & Chris Hemstock

The Morning of Monday 18th July saw Chris Hemstock have a Breakfast meeting with Spanish Director Iratxe de La Quintana Gonzales.

Iratxe de La Quintana Gonzales & Chris Hemstock

Sadly the information Chris received at the meeting was not the news he was hoping to hear. Iraxte has had many personal problems over the previous 18 Months and

had decided to step down as the WMAGC PR Manager and also the Spanish Director with immediate effect. The WMAGC Board and all its members would like to wish Iratxe the best for her future. Hopefully we’ll be able to work together in some capacity again one day.

Nepal & UK touch Base20th July 2016

Dinesh Sharma had travelled to the UK to compete at a Competition. Chris Hemstock and Dinesh had arranged to meet at London, Heathrow Airport on Dinesh’s way back to Nepal. This was a 400km round trip for Chris but proved to be well worth it. To meet Dinesh and his beautiful wife was an honour and a privilege and once again Chris was left pleasantly surprised as Dinesh presented Chris with a Hall of Fame Certificate and a traditional bottle of Nepalese Rum, shaped as a Gurkha Kukri Knife.

A speed meeting took place as Dinesh had a flight to catch and they shared news about upcoming events and organization structures. Chris also presented Dinesh with a WMAGC Letter of Appreciation.

Chris Hemstock & Dineish Sharma

Lichtenstein join the WMAGC22nd July 2016

The WMAGC would like to welcome Metin Kayar from Lichtenstein. Metin has what can only be described as an extra ordinary career in Martial Arts ! And has been compared to the ‘Miyamoto Musashi of our time’

Metin Kayar

Some of Metin’s successes to date are as follows :

2011 – Winner of ‘Nippon Seibukan Academy Award’ in famous Samurai Temple ‘Butokuden’ in Kyoto, Japan.

2012 – Award of Excellance from Prime Minister Dr. Klaus Tshütscher for his successes in the name of the country of Liechtenstein.

2013 – Award of Excellence from Alois, hereditary prince of Lichtenstein for outstanding success for his Country Liechtenstein.

2014 – Award of Excellence from Japanese Ambassador Ryuhei Maeda for supporting deeply the Cultural Exchange between Japan and Europe.

2014 – Awarded Martial Artist in Okinawa Karate & Kobudo by Tetsuhiro Hokama (Hanshi, 10th Dan) presented in historical Shuri Castle, Okinawa (Japan).

2015 – Awarded as the most complete and talented Martial Artist. His Budokan School was given the name ‘Kogo’ (Royal Power) by SokeIrie Yasuhiro, Japan (Nihon Bushido Kodo Kai/KoKoDo)

It is an honour and a privilege to have Metin as a WMAGC member and we look forward to a long working relationship for many years to come.

Sad News from Pakistan23rd July 2016

It comes with great sadness that we have to report our Pakistan Director Prof. GN Syed Nadir Saidain sadly passed away on the 23rd July 2016. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Syed’s family.

RIP Prof. GM Syed Nadir Saidain

Spain Back in the WMAGC !25th July 2016

The WMAGC would like to welcome Rafael Lopez as the New NMAC Director for Spain. After the resignation of our former Spanish Director, to find a replacement this quickly is fabulous news !

Rafael is the CEO of the World Kickboxing League (WKL), he’s from

Barcelona, Spain but also resides in Florida, USA for a few weeks of the year.

Rafa has already expressed an interest in hosting a WMAGC – World Games in Spain. Something for the future no doubt.

India, WMAGC – World Games Qualification Tournament1st – 5th August 2016

Master Bhupendra Bharat hosted India’s first National Martial Arts Games at the Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi in August.

This was India’s 2016 WMAGC – World Games Qualifier and from the looks of the pictures below it was clearly a success !

These Games are the first of what will now become an annual event for Master Bharat and his dedicated Team, we look forward to pictures for next year’s Qualifiers for the 2017 World Games in Florida.

New Delhi Athlete Collection

New Delhi National Games are a GO !

Nepal NMAC Games5th August 2016

Dinesh Sharma announces dates for the 1st Nepal Open TKD Championships, it will be open to both ITF and WTF styles. The tournament will be hosted in the beautiful city of Kathmandu across the weekend of the 7th – 9th of January and will be qualifier for the 2017 WMAGC – World Games in the USA.

Kathmandu, Nepal

Asian Martial Arts Committee Face Book page19th August 2016

Following on from the appointment of our Asian Martial Arts Coordinator back in March, it was agreed that Master Bharat creates an Asian Martial Arts Committee Face Book page. Those of us that are on Face Book, please ‘like’, ‘Share’ and post positive comments.

Rafa Lopez

AMAC Face Book page.

WMAGC-World Games Sponsor LFS, Bullet TV and Michael Jai White.22nd August 2016

Last Fighter Standing will be the main Sponsor for the 2016 WMAGC – World Games, TV coverage across Africa will be brought to you by Bullet TV and the shows presenter will be Hollywood Actor and Martial Arts Expert Michael Jai White.

2016 WMAGC -World Games Sponsor

LFS Media Coverage is by Bullet TV

Last Fighter Standing – TV Host Michael Jai White

1st TAFISA EuropeanConference in Slovenia.16th – 18th September 2016

1st TAFISA European Conference, in Ljubljana, Slovenia saw many networking opportunities.

President Freddy Kleinschwärzer attended the Conference along with his personal assistant Peggy Bening.

It was a great opportunity to build relations with-in the TAFISA community and in particular the TAFISA Martial Arts Commission. Freddy managed to have several constructive meetings, two of which were with TAFISA Martial Arts Commissionaires Ramil Gabbasov (Rus) who is also President to the Russian Union of Martial Arts and Ray Sweeney (GB) is also the Founder of The Disability Karate Federation IKKAIDO.

Russian Union of Martial Arts President Ramil Gabbasov pictured alongside Freddy Kleinschwärzer, TAFISA Secretary General

Wolfgang Baumann and Ray Sweeney Disability Karate Federation

Ray Sweeney and Freddy Kleinschwärzer

NMAC-GB Series 3 – Final Qualifier for the 2016 Games !18th September 2016

The Final Team GB qualifier for the South African World Games took place during September in the historical English City of Norwich.

NMAC-GB Series 3

The Competition Series enters its 6th Year in 2017 and is going from strength to strength. Hosted by WMAGC Chairman Chris Hemstock (NMAC-GB Director) and WMAGC Treasurer Ian Soame.

Series three saw some close competition, once again providing the UK based athletes with the opportunity of competing at the World Games in South Africa on the prestigious WMAGC Competition Platform.

2016 WMAGC – World Games Johannesburg, South Africa.13th – 16th October 2016

The long awaited 2016 World Games was at last here ! Teams of athletes had flown in from many parts of the World to compete at the Tickpro Dome in Johannesburg.

Thursday 13th saw many of the athletes travelling down to the Ticketpro Dome Arena, to familiarize themselves with the layout of the venue. It was also the day for Referee’s, Judges, Officials and Coaches Clinics, where everyone was brought up to speed on the Rules and Schedules for the days ahead.

Referee’s, Judges and Coaches Clinic

Day one of the Competition, the 14th October, saw all the Junior aged groups compete in their relevant Kata Categories.

This is where everyone realized how big these Games were going to be. With eight performing areas running at one time and over 500 starts just in the Forms divisions alone, we were in for a very long day.

Louise Viviers WMAGC Vice President and the 2016 Host of the Games, together with her trusty Senior Support Team Gregory Hart and Ameldia Van Zyl orchestrated proceedings. With over 50 Referee’s and Judges running the areas, the 2016 World Games were a well oiled machine in motion.

Day one saw some amazing performances from some of the very best athletes in the world, competing but behaving like true Sportspeople, friends and one big family.

Two of the eight Areas at the Ticketpro Dome, Johannesburg.

No sooner was competition day one over and it was time for the Country Directors to head for the World Congress. This was held at the Wesley Hotel, Sandton in the quiet suburbs of Johannesburg.

Countries present at the Congress were Germany, India, Namibia, South Africa, United Kingdom and the USA. With Mr Neeraj Kumar Mehra a delegate from the Indian IOC present, this became one of the most constructive Congresses in the 11 Year history of the World Martial Arts Games Committee.

Topics of debate can be seen in the minutes by request.

2016 WMAGC World Congress

Saturday morning, early was the instruction from Louise as she left the Congress ! This morning was the Opening Ceremony, with all the Countries Athletes in Team Tracksuits at the ready to march into the arena, along the stage that was set for the Last Fighter Standing to be held Saturday night ! With athletes, families, friends and fans cheering on the parade to the National Anthem of each Country proved to be a very emotional moment and many a goose bump covered the bodies of those that were present !

Following on from the Parade were some magnificent demonstrations from an African tribal band, who danced, sang and played some local music. There was also a

Presidential Martial Arts Demonstration Team that were quite simply amazing !

Montage of some of the Country flags at the parade

Once the Competition was underway it saw the forms and self defence divisions completed and the sparring divisions start. With up to 40 Athletes in some of the sparring categories, we were seeing many of the categories lasting well over an hour ! Another long day with some superb kickboxing skills being demonstrated by some very fine athletes.

Sparring categories underway

Last Fighter Standing, (LFS) were the main Sponsor for this year’s Games and boy did they ‘walk the talk’ from Champagne to Lamborghinis, Hollywood didn’t just walk into Johannesburg, Hollywood stamped its reputation all over it !!!

Last Fighter Standing is a Box Office Show of mega proportions, the fights were knockdown, the entertainment was Sensational and the VIP enclosure was VVIP !!!

Last Fighter Standing

Michael Jai White is the Hollywood Star and Martial Arts expert supporting LFS, he was the shows compère and also the live TV shows commentator, being broadcasted across Africa !

WMAGC Chairman Chris Hemstock pictured with Hollywood Actor Michael Jai White

Please enjoy a few of the other images from the LFS evening.

WMAGC Vice President Louise Viviers, South Africa and her Partner Ameldia Van Zyl.

WMAGC President Freddy Kleinschwärzer, USA Athlete Ti Daly and Martial Arts South Africa Secretary General Gregory Hart.

LFS Ring Girls

Last Fighter Standing in full swing !

Day three continued to witness as the previous two skilled athletes, young and old, another incredibly busy schedule and a warm friendly atmosphere.

With over 500 Athletes entered and nearly 1900 starts, it goes without saying that the 2016 World Games were a huge success ! Our Partners, LFS, were supportive in so many ways and for that we are very grateful. And, of course it’s always a pleasure to Partner up with TAFISA, who once again gave Patronage to the WMAGC for the 2016 WMAGC – World Games in South Africa.

Clearly all the efforts by Louise Viviers (Host), Chris Hemstock (networking) and Freddy Kleinschwärzer (networking) have paid off over the last 12 Months. This was the biggest World Games since our birth in 2005. The future looks very bright indeed with some more new partners planned for next year - onwards and upwards !

2017 WMAGC – World Games Orlando, Florida USA.7th November 2016

The 2017 WMAGC World Games are to be hosted in Orlando, Florida USA. The games will be held on the week of September 4th – 10th, with the Competition on September 8th, 9th & 10th.

Alberto Friedmann our IRC Director will host the 2017 Games, his Team are planning on Seminars, Training Opportunities and Referee Certifications on the 6th & 7th.

Treasury Meeting - London.10th November 2016

WMAGC Officials, Freddy Kleinschwärzer, Chris Hemstock and Ian Soame (Treasurer) meet in London to discuss new framework for the upcoming Games in Florida. Athlete registration and administration were just a couple of topics up for debate.

Ian is formulating a Matrix style framework and will produce it for the Board for their thoughts and opinions very soon.

Freddy Kleinschwärzer, Chris Hemstock & Ian Soame.

Disability Martial Arts – Ray Sweeney – Bedford, UK.13th November 2016

A meeting took place in the English town of Bedford between President Freddy Kleinschwärzer, Chairman Chris Hemstock and Ray Sweeney, who is on the TAFISA Commission for Martial Arts and also an expert in the field of Coaching Martial Arts to the Disabled.

Alberto Friedmann

The host to the 2017 USA Games

Ray agreed to work with the WMAGC in an advisory role regarding athletes with special needs.

Mr Sweeney also shared advice regarding European Union Funding and the way we can bring people together from different Countries and backgrounds. This will be achieved with exchange trips, encouraging different cultures and sporting ideas from around Europe and potentially the rest of the World too, aiming to change people’s lives for the good, improving their wellbeing, knowledge and life experiences.

Freddy Kleinschwärzer, Ray Sweeney & Chris Hemstock.

Russian Union of Martial Arts, Moscow, Russia.23rd – 26th November 2016

Our President Freddy Kleinschwärzer received an invitation to attend the 9th Battle of Champions in Moscow, Russia, as an Honorable Guest. Freddy was unable to attend due to work commitments, so it was decided that our Chairman, Chris Hemstock, should attend instead.

After finally securing a Visa from the Russian Embassy in London, two days

before Chris was due to fly, Chris was set for his trip to Moscow.

Anna Subbotina, the Advisor of CEO on International Issues, met Chris for informal discussions and arranged for a translator, Tatyana Bryzgalova to be his guide and source of information for his trip.

Chris Hemstock & Advisor of CEO Anna Subbotina

Chris Hemstock & Translator Tatyana Bryzgalova

Chris feels this trip could potentially be very successful indeed as the connections made seem to be very strong.

During the ‘Battle of Champions’ evening, Chris shared the company of Donghwan Choi, from Korea. Donghwan is the Secretary General for the World Martial Arts Union (WMAU), based in Seoul, Korea. After conversations with Mr Choi, they discovered that the WMAGC and the WMAU could potentially work together. The WMAU don’t actually have a Competition Platform. They hold a Martial Arts Festival every two years. Chris and Donghwan agreed to keep in touch and think about ways they could Unite and make this work.

Chris Hemstock & WMAU Secretary General Donghwan Choi.

The ‘Battle of Champions also had a VIP Guest amongst the ranks, Aikido expert Steven Seagal. Steven was there to present a couple of the fighters with their trophies. Chris isn’t one to miss an opportunity and managed to sneak a photo with the star !

Hollywood Actor Steven Seagal & Chris Hemstock

The Kickboxing Gala was followed with a Lavish Banquette, where Chris seized the moment to continue networking, meeting Jean Louis Gaudioso from Marseille, France. Jean runs a very successful Martial Arts organization out of Marseille and is an Umpire for WAKO. Again Jean is open to the idea of working together with the WMAGC. Further negotiations will continue.

WAKO Umpire Jean Louis Gaudioso & Chris Hemstock

The main purpose of the trip to Moscow was to invite the Russian Union of Martial Arts (RUMA) to join the WMAGC. All the other contacts were people Chris had met along the way. Chris had been a thorn in Anna Subbotina’s side from the moment he arrived, pestering her for a meeting to present his proposal. Anna had her plate full to say the very least, she was very busy organizing the ‘Battle of Champions’.

After three days of constantly texting, messaging and requesting Anna for a meeting, they finally came together around a table at 01:30 Saturday, on the

morning of the 26th ! The aircraft carrying Chris back to the UK was leaving at 09:15 from Sheremetyevo Airport !

Once Anna recognized the opportunity that was being presented, she called over the RUMA President Ramil Gabbasov. This was the first time Chris had met Ramil. As we know from Freddy’s trip to Slovenia Ramil is also on the TAFISA Martial Arts Commission.

Knowledge is power they say and Anna’s linguistic knowledge came into its own. Chris spoke no word of Russian and Ramil no word of English ! Yet information was exchanged like English and Russian were one. Anna Subbotina’s ability to translate without thinking was breathtaking !

So the proposal was that RUMA become a member of the WMAGC, we would work together to achieve a common goal, supporting young people in martial arts, not just in Russia but throughout the world. The WMAGC support RUMA in their major tournaments, with RUMA supporting the WMAGC – World Games !

With potentially coming together on other projects too, for example –

Referee education/training program

Martial Arts Unification Project (based on the successful Russian format)

TAFISA Martial Arts development

Athlete exchange program

Then finally to have Russia participate at the European Martial Arts Games, which is planning to be part of the 1st TAFISA Europe Sport for all Games in 2018 at Leeuwarden, Netherlands.

The good news is the Ramil Gabbasov has agreed in principle to go ahead with this. He needs to present this to the RUMA Board for their approval.

Paperwork should be signed at the TAFISA Headquarters in Frankfurt early in 2017,

where Freddy and Chris will join up to conclude the deal.

Chris Hemstock & RUMA President Ramil Gabbasov

Just for the record this meeting with Anna concluded at 03:30 ! Worth it, we think so!

NMAC National Games – First Qualifier for the 2017 Games !27th November 2016

No sooner had Chris Hemstock’s plane landed at Heathrow airport, London and he was orchestrating the first Qualifier for next year’s World Games together with WMAGC Treasurer Ian Soame.

Ian and Chris have been running competitions together for the past 6 Years, something they both strongly encourage other Country Directors to commit to. If anyone would like assistance or advice on Tournament Management, then please do contact Chris on his WMAGC email – chair@wmagc.org

The National Games saw 45 New National Games Champions and 123 Athletes Qualify to represent Team GB at next year’s Games. The coming weeks and months will see if these Athletes meet the strict criteria set out by NMACGB.

2016 NMACGB National Games – First Qualifier for Florida, USA

New Public Relations Officer 7th December 2016

It has been agreed that Neeraj Kumar Mehra will be appointed as the New PR Officer for the WMAGC.

You will have noticed we met Mr Mehra at the World Congress in South Africa, back in October. He brings with him an abundance of International Olympic Committee and International Olympic Academy Knowledge, also working experience he wishes to share with the WMAGC.

New PR Officer Neeraj Kumar Mehra

Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year ! 9th December 2016

The Board would like to wish all our Members, their Athletes and their Families a Happy, Peaceful Christmas and a successful New Year, where the WMAGC continues to grow and flourish as it has done over the last 12 Months !

Ho Ho Ho