UNITED WORLD MARTIAL ARTS

FEDERATION
(UWMAF) 全世界武道連盟
12th Floor Forum Bld., 3 Maude Street, Sandton, 2196, South Africa
From the Office of the Executive Chairman
Email: [email protected]
Contact: +27722167407
Whatsapp: +27722167407

Report of 1st UWMAF World Cup India January 19 to 23 2023.02.01

Background
The United World Martial Arts Federation has been in existence for almost 9 years and in this time
the impact it has had on the world of martial arts is admirable. The concept started with the extension
of the ideals to unite all karate for its participation in the Olympic Games.
After much consultation with many martial arts bodies and artists, it was decided to follow a new path
5 years ago to unite and develop all martial arts under one umbrella – United World Martial Arts
Federation (UWMAF) was born. Although the organization has been in existence since 1992 with the
focused project of getting KARATE into the Olympics. This was achieved in 2020 at The Tokyo
Olympics Games and Karate, unfortunately, could not retain its position and was eliminated from the
Paris Olympics and the Los Angeles Olympics of 2024 and 2028.
Through Strategic Martial Arts Organization partners, we are now affiliated with TAFISA and soon
with the BRICS Sports Council. UWMAF Asia has also received acceptance into TAFISA which is
great news.
This shows that our brand is being accepted by many and it is gaining value we need to now start
protecting our institution and to be more professional in our management moving forward. Sport is
big in the world today with the increase in capital value in the UFC and all associated organizations,
the difference is that we jealously defend the values of BUDO and the values it gives to its
practitioners. We must be the defenders of this way of life and this includes the sports aspect as it
allows people from different backgrounds and martial arts to become brothers and sisters in BUDO.
What has become abundantly clear is that our approach to unity, developing and providing
opportunities for the exchange of knowledge is the right way forward.
All praises and gratitude must be given to the UWMAF – Asia and its President Shihan Vicky and his
able and resourceful team, it was a pleasure working with all of them towards and successful 1 st
UWMAF World Cup.
1st UWMAF World Cup Stats and Information of Results
Number of countries present: 10 (India, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, Russia, Belgium, France, Austria,
Philippines, South Africa)
Several Martial Arts:
  Karate Shobu Sambon: Styles Shito ryu, Goju ryu, Shorinii Ryu
 Bogu Karate
 Jujitsu
 Kobudo
 Qwan Ki Do
 Jeet Kwon Do
 Kung Fu
 Blade Fighting
 Krav Maga
 Shin Kali
Categories for Seminars

 All Formats Kumite and KATA together with Bunkai

 Ju Jitsu
 Bogu Karate
 Qwan Ki Do
 Shin Kali
Demonstrations

 All Martial Arts including traditional Indian Martial Arts

Competitions

 Karate All Formats

 Qwan Ki Do all events in Team, individual Kata
Areas of Focus for Report

 Arrivals and Departure

This was coordinated adequately by the Local Organizing Committee who were on standby for all
arrivals and departures, The only incident which was experienced was the Qwan Ki Do teams from
Switzerland and Austria which was adequately addressed, It seemed that there was some
communication problem which was swiftly resolved. The venue was 80 km from the International
Indira Gandhi airport in Delhi and the travel time was between 1 and 3 hours due to traffic, although
quite comfortable as there are highways and good roads. There was also the underground train
availability that was quite close to the accommodation and competition venue.

 Accommodation and Jaypee Green Sports Complex

Was at the Jaypee Green Hotel, which is rated 5 stars but the attitude of the establishment and staff
was much to be appreciated, the establishment although very high level in the standard of rooms and
facilities was let down by its front desk staff and those that we in charge of clients.
Shihan Vicky and his team had placed a substantial amount of deposits towards securing the rooms
and it was a gallant effort for them to give this facility the honour and opportunity to stage such an
event. Many other hotels with facilities equal to this establishment were ignored because of our Local
Organizing Committee’s commitment, after the promise made by this facility for us to host this event
in Greater Noida, especially Jaypee Green Sports Centre. The only concern for this group was
MONEY, without concentrating on its guest and the prestige we brought to this area and this facility.
It become clear on the second day of seminars that the management of the facility which was not used
adequately wanted to have only more affluent people grace their facility and in our interpretation was
a rather RACIST attitude to poorer people. It seems this facility is reserved for the rich and famous
and practices a segregated attitude to those it deems to be lower in stature. Many promises were made
to the Local Organizing Committee but very little was forthcoming, It took a great deal of patience
and negotiation by Shihan Vicky and his team towards getting a favourable solution for UWMAF and
all its members.
As UWMAF is against any time of discrimination in consultation with Shihan Vicky and the LOC we
decided to shift the event to a facility nearby – The YMCA- which is a venue used by one of our
members. We were received enthusiastically and with open arms, now this is what we understand as
Indian hospitality.
We also moved some local teams to the accommodation at the YMCA because the Jaypee Green
Accommodation at the sports centre wanted to hold these teams hijacked so they paid for the entire
period even knowing that we had withdrawn from the sporting facility. A rather disgraceful act and an
unacceptable manner towards guests. This facility should lose its five-star status as its management
and manner are very unbecoming of a facility such as this one, especially at this time and this age.
What was admirable is the fact all this was happening and the LOC was still able to rescue the
situation without any disruption to the program or showing any negativity towards the hosting of this
event. Hats off to Shihan Vicky and his team, they made us proud.

 Jaypee Green Hotel – Headquarters Hotel

The very good facility is really over the top for a martial arts event. It was comfortable and convenient
as the hotel was a walking distance of the moved competition venue. So, the transport was not an
issue. Breakfast was mediocre and the standard and manner of the day and night management were
much to be desired. Although a five-star rated venue for its looks and facilities, it should have a 2-star
rating for service and management professionalism.
On a few occasions, Shike Bertoletti me, and Shihan Mamadou, who are Executive members of the
UWMAF, were insulted and treated like criminals, because they wanted full payment beforehand and
this is not something we have experienced before. The same was experienced by the LOC and it took
a lot of patience and maturity for us to endure this unacceptable treatment. We were locked out of our
rooms until the LOC paid the full bill.
This facility was not conducive for the UWMAF and the humility and brother and sisterhood we
espouse in everything to try to emulate. We felt as if they were uncomfortable with us and especially
their RACIST expression which was shocking at times.
Although we endured the experienced with much patience and discomfort we tried our best to keep
our decorum and were relieved when we left this hotel. Next time a much lower level of the hotel
should be approached where it is easy and more friendly for our members and the martial artist.
Our rating for services and others is a 1 and for the facility and appearance, we will give an 8. This
was sad as we hardly used the numerous facilities like the SPA, the Gold Course, Gym facilities and
even walking through the estate which is located in a 500-hectare area.
What a waste for a great facility but marred by the bad and negative attitude of management. We will
not recommend this facility to any sports group in the future. Greater Noida has other facilities which
we could have used with much better prices and much more open attitudes, so this is learning for the
future.
LOC Hospital
The LOC went out of its walk to cater for all needs even under the such challenging circumstance.
They were let done by their sponsors and those that promised a lot but bailed out at the last minute.
Food was served daily for all at the restaurant at the competition and seminar venue, this was high-
class food and everyone had ample to eat. This was a highlight of the event, with many expressing
satisfaction with this. Everyone’s taste was catered for and the amount of food was sufficient for all.
Teams who were not able to utilize the Jaypee Green Hotel accommodation were also accommodated
in the dormitory facilities at the YMCA competition precinct which was adequate in cost and facilities
for all.
At the competition venue, all beverages were provided and all members were treated adequately. A
very well-done job by the LOC.

Competition
After a series of meetings and after assessing the situation that was developing with the challenges
with the Jaypee Sports Complex and the external challenges of COVID-19 threats, unavailability of
resources and visa difficulties, many countries cancelled a few days before the competition. It was
decided to not have the Asian events and postpone this to a future day, the 1 st World Cup was of
critical importance so all concentration was put into this event.
To rescue the situation Kaicho announced the free entry of all Indian Athletes and this was for the
seminars and competition. This we will not do again as it taught us that many that can afford used this
as an excuse to charge their students but did not contribute to the event. So this will not be repeated.
The schedule for the events was then concluded as Karate and Qwan Ki Do Events and anyone
wanting to participate from all other martial arts would have to compete in these competition formats,
under the prevailing circumstances this was the right decision.
Shike Betroletti took control of the competition program and running of the events and he was
assisted by Minh Su Csongor and Shihan Mamadou, they did a sterling job and much appreciation
should be given to them.
The competition commenced on 22 January 2023, starting a 11h00 due to late registration and the
draws which now had to be redone. This again needs some attention as we need to register for
competitions at least 20 days before the event and we must start using the electronic scoring system.
The format agree upon was the Qwan Ki Do rules for kumite and kata and the Karate rules for
individual kumite and individual kata.
The two referees’ councils were then constituted under Shike Bertoletti and Shihan Mamadou.
Although some dicey rulings the majority of matches were done with fair refereeing and judging,
again much work needs to be done in this department as the quality of fighters is much higher than the
quality of officials. We will have to put more effort into raising the quality of refereeing especially in
the Karate sector of UWMAF.

Athletes and Standards

It was very pleasing to see that the standard of competitors was at a high level. However, we must
work more on the kata section and the kumite scoring criteria. Many decisions are only taken on
speed and power when so much more needs to be looked at before giving the score. This is due to a
lack of international exposure and the watering down of karate by the WKF. This was seen in kata.
Regarding kumite we are satisfied with the standard but more needs to be done for other martial arts
like Jeet Kwon, Kung Fu and some other Qwan Ki Do countries besides European Athletes who
showed very good standards and manners. A very pleasing aspect of Qwan Ki Dos display. Other
Martial Arts can learn a lot from them. They are a great asset to the UWMAF and I hope are to them.
What was pleasing was to see Qwan Ki Do Athletes competing in Karate competitions and giving
their best and excel in this format of the competition. This also showed the comradeship between
martial arts and competitors and other plus in the UWMAF.

Results