Russian fans have been waiting for our country’s full return to the international arena. The IOC recommendations, which reek of politics, have still not been canceled, but some federations are ready to brush aside these urgent demands of Thomas Bach and his associates.

And now our athletes will finally go to the World Championships with the country’s flag!

No restrictions

Retiring IOC President Thomas Bach remains silent about Russia’s possible return to the international stage. His potential replacements are also hesitant to make loud statements. However, the lack of a go-ahead from Lausanne does not seem to hinder individual bold federations too much. Fans from all over the world have gotten used to the fact that our boxers participate in international tournaments with the flag and anthem. Now kickboxers are ready to remind the world of their existence.

From November 18 to 22, the World Kickboxing Championship will be held in Spain and, according to the SHOT Telegram channel, the All-Russian Kickboxing Federation has agreed with the International Kickboxing Federation (WKF) on the status of our athletes. Russians will compete under the flag of the country, and if they win, they will rise to the podium during the national anthem!

It is worth recalling that Russian kickboxers did not have the opportunity to fight at the world championships under the flag for five years. Even before the politicized initiatives of the IOC, our athletes were deprived of the right to compete at the world championships under the tricolor through the efforts of WADA. The penalty period approved by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has long expired, so for the first time since 2019, the Russians will go to the World Cup without any restrictions.

“This is just the beginning”

WKF, which gave the go-ahead for national symbols not only to Russians, but also to Belarusians, is not the only federation in the world that organizes international kickboxing competitions. However, in some others, attitudes towards Russians are beginning to change for the better. In May 2024, the International Sports Karate Association (ISKA) approved the participation of Russian kickboxer Vladislav Tuinov in the championship fight under the Russian flag at a tournament in Hungary.

Vladislav Tuinov / Photo: © Sergey Baranov / Pravda Old School Boxing

Kickboxing is not included in the Olympic Games program, perhaps for this reason the WKF can feel a certain independence from the IOC with its recommendations. However, earlier this federation was in no hurry to return the flag to our athletes. Fans are confident that such a shift became possible due to the expected political changes overseas, so similar steps are expected in other sports.

— Kickboxing is just the beginning. Soon Europeans will come out with the Russian flag.

— The world began to change its shoes on the fly.

– The ice has broken.

— Our kickboxers have broken through the window to Spain!

– Guys, don’t let me down.