Championship in Moldova Cancellation: European Competition Unveils Cancellation in Moldova
The European Kickboxing Championship, scheduled to take place in Moldova from June 22-27, 2025, has been cancelled due to a political standoff between Moldovan authorities and the World Kickboxing Federation (WKF). The decision to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating under their national symbols has left several Yakutian kickboxers, including Mikhail Sleptsov (54 kg), Mikhail Ivanov (71 kg), and Valentin Shelepanov (75 kg), disappointed.
The WKF, which is not recognised by the International Olympic Committee, had cooperation agreements with Russian sports entities under sanctions, complicating its legitimacy in Moldova's eyes. Moldova's Ministry of Education and Research condemned the event, stating it was not officially sanctioned, violated national legislation, and conflicted with the country's democratic and European values.
The presence of controversial Belarusian figures under international sanctions, such as Dmitry Shakuta, was also cited as unacceptable by Moldovan authorities. As a consequence, Moldova blocked entry to 195 Russian and Belarusian kickboxers deemed threats to national security.
In response, the WKF announced the cancellation of the adult tournament, replacing it with a youth competition excluding the banned athletes. The Russian Kickboxing Federation confirmed the cancellation was due to the ban on Russian and Belarusian athlete participation and stated plans to organise the next European Championship with the WKF in 2026 at a different location.
The organisers have decided to postpone the championship until 2026 and move it to another country. The controversy surrounding the decision to ban the Russian national team's participation is still a subject of controversy and accusations, with some officials accusing the WKF of facilitating the participation of Russian athletes despite international sanctions.
Sakhapress, a local news outlet, is confident that the example set by the International Kickboxing Federation, which firmly responded to the exclusion of Russians and Belarusians, will serve as a good precedent for all sporting federations and beyond. The cancellation of the championship may have a significant impact on the international sports community and its future events.
Despite the European Kickboxing Championship being cancelled, discussions about its replacement, such as a youth competition, have emerged. The WKF's decision to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes, including football players, from participating under their national symbols is seen as a contentious issue in the international sports community.
