Kickboxing becomes part of the Olympic family: Bašović delighted with the decision, Mahmić hopes for Olympic appearance

(Patria) - The World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) has been recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and this news has delighted all fans of combat sports in our country, as well as competitors and coaches in this sport. This decision was made yesterday at a session of the IOC Executive Board in Japan.

Nermin Bašović, winner of the gold medal at the World Championship in Paris in 2003 and Bosnia and Herzegovina's Athlete of the Year for 2003, also does not hide his delight over this decision.

- By entering the IOC, kickboxing has taken a big, we could say the biggest step towards inclusion in the Olympic program, and, if we are lucky, we could see it at the games in Paris in 2024. Kickboxing in the future has a great obligation to be even better, and in the next three years we all must work on meeting the important criteria of the IOC and develop kickboxing in accordance with Olympic values and principles.

It will be difficult to achieve that goal, to be at the Olympics, just as it is difficult to enter, it is easy to be eliminated. We are witnessing that boxing is in crisis and it is questionable whether it will be removed from the Olympic program, and it should be clear to all of us that with honest, hard and persistent work by all of us, we can be part of the Olympic family and achieve our goal - to be at the Olympics – says Bašović, who in recent years has been quite successfully passing on his rich knowledge to members of the Ilidža Kickboxing Academy.

Bahrudin Mahmić from Zenica became world champion last year in the low kick category up to 91 kilograms in Hungary, after defeating Serbian Bojan Džepina.

- Now everyone looks at kickboxing differently.  This decision has been awaited for more than two years. Kickboxing has finally received the status it deserves. For years I have had excellent results, but I could never be chosen as the best athlete in the canton or city, because we were not recognized by the Olympic Committee. Now I, as well as other colleagues, will finally have the opportunity to compete for the recognition we deserve.

I hope that kickboxing fighters will get the chance to participate in the Olympics. Of course, my greatest wish is to carry the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Olympics. The Olympic Games are the dream of every athlete and after the latest decision there is hope that I too will realize my dream – says Mahmić.