Er. S. S. Harichandan a Civil Engineer and an passionate Martial Arts

practitioner from Bhubaneswar, Odisha (then Orissa) mastered his

expertise in the field of Karate, Kalaripayatu, Paika Akhada & Wushu.

Since 1985 during his rigorous participation in International

championship and training sessions by visiting to Asian and European

countries, he discovered the sport Kickboxing which was very popular

in Europe & Western countries. He researched about the sport and its

gaining popularity convinced him to introduce Kickboxing in India as

promising Combat sport.

 

He thanks to Bruce Lee for his contribution to the world for

popularizing Martial Arts through his legendary series of movies

and in addition to that movies like- “Kickboxer” and “Bloodsport”

starring Jean-Claude Van Damme & Bolo Young attracted youths

towards Kickboxing worldwide.

 

After multiple channel communication in 1992 Master Harichandan got introduced to Mr. Ennio Falsoni, President, World Association of Kickboxing Organizations and received his invitation for the first time in 1993 with a great inspiration & vision.  In 1994 WAKO sanctioned Provisional Membership jointly to “ Pumas International” represented by Er. Harichandan SS and “Star Kickboxing” represented by his friend Martial arts expert Mr. Abid from Bangalore, became the WAKO Representatives jointly from India. To start the Kickboxing activities in India Er. Harichandan organized the first ever National Kickboxing Championship on 13 – 15 th January 1995 at  J.N. Indoor Stadium, Cuttack, Odisha with a participation from only seven state teams.

 

Finally he met him personally in WAKO World HQ in Milan, Italy in 1995 and attended the WAKO World Referee Seminar on 24 April to 02nd May 1995 in Riccionie, Italy and awarded the WAKO 5th Dan & Referee Diploma.  The same year he took the Indian Team to 10th WAKO World Kickboxing in Light Contact held on  06-08th October 1995            in Stuttgart, Germany and unfortunately Mr. Abid attended separately with some members.  Same disputed participation by both the teams from India continued during the participation in 10th WAKO World Kickboxing in Full Contact held on 23 – 29 th November 1995 in Kiev, Ukraine. That time WAKO  was having few member countries and its President Mr. Ennio Falsoni was working very hard to give it a shape of true International Federation against World Kickboxing Association–WKA, the oldest Kickboxing Federation since 1976

 

ER. Harichandan became the first WAKO International Referee in Kickboxing from INDIA in the year of 1995 and Since then he acted as Referee in many World Championships including the First World Combat Games by International Olympics(IOC) in 2010 in Beijing, China and brings Pride & Glory to IAKO,INDIA.

 

To bring harmony Mr. Ennio Falsoni WAKO President observed the situation and in 1996 finally authorised Indian Association of Kickboxing Organisations – IAKO and its Founder President Er. Harichandan SS as the sole Representative of  WAKO INDIA, since then Indian Team under the banner of IAKO taken part in all the WAKO World Championships and International Events with pride and won many laurels for the country.

 

 

For next two decades IAKO took numerous steps in promoting and developing Kickboxing sport from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and the sport became popular as wildfire with the dynamic leadership of Er. Harichandan, a seasoned WAKO Referee since 1995 and officiated in many World and Asian Championships with various responsibilities successfully. Many young talents was discovered and represented the country at world platforms Such as- World Championships, World Games, Asian Championships, Asian Indoor Games and World Martial arts Games and brought laurel for the country.

 

• IAKO was granted authorisation of  WAKO PRO in INDIA and South Asian Kickboxing Organisation by Mr. Ennio Falsoni, WAKO President in the year 2004.

• IAKO is the first among other Martial Arts Federations recognised by School Games Federation of India(SGFI) since 2005 and instrumental in introducing Kickboxing in School Games since 2006. And Association of Universities (AIU) has become member of IAKO and included Kickboxing in Universities Games.

• IAKO represented by Er.Harichandan in the first ever Anti Doping Seminar by WADA & NADA  in India on 06-07 October 2007 organised by MYAS, GOI & Sports Authority of India(SAI).

• Kickboxing included in Asian Indoor Games since 2007, as a result Indian Olympic Association recognised Kickboxing and IAKO as the National Federation of Kickboxing and send its team to take part in the Asian Indoor Games, Macau.

• WAKO President Dr. Ennio Falsoni along with his spouse and a World Champion Coach visited India during the “1st South Asian Kickboxing Referee Seminar” organised by WAKO SOUTH ASIA held in Kolkata in the year 2008 in conjunction with IAKO 13th Sub Junior, 13th Junior & 14th Senior National Kickboxing Championship held on  05-10th August 2008 in  SAI Sports Complex, Kolkata, WB.

• Mr. Ennio Falsoni overwhelmed by seeing the record breaking participation and awarded the coveted WAKO 7th Dan to Er. Harichandan, he appreciated the efforts of IAKO and Er. Harichandan for promoting and controlling WAKO INDIA in right direction.

• IAKO Team represent India for 1st Asian Martial Art Games of OCA 0N 01-09 August’09 held at Bangkok, Thailand through Indian Olympic Association and own medals including  a GOLD MEDAL.

• Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India recognised Kickboxing & IAKO by sanctioning the Kickboxing team through IOA to take part in the Asian Indoor Games 2009 in Vietnam.

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