Although a relatively new sport in the western world, the origins of full contact kickboxing can be traced back some 2,000 years with Muay Thai fighting. Devised initially as a means of self-defence, Thai boxing evolved as a sport when unarmed combat in warfare became less effective. This remains the national sport of Thailand, and is still controlled by the government.

During the 1970s, full contact karate was established in the United States by practitioners of karate who wanted to extend the boundaries of competitive martial arts. Wishing to employ full contact kicks and punches, which were not allowed under the strict rules governing karate competitions, kickboxing was gradually developed as a sport in its own right. Initially, there were many concerns about the risk of serious injuries but, with improved safety rules and protective clothing, the sport became very popular in both America and Europe.

In 1976 the World Kickboxing Association was created by Howard Hanson, a Shorin ryu karate black belt, and it became the second largest professional sanctioning organisation in the world. However, when the International Sport Kickboxing Association was established in 1986, the WKA activities were confined mainly to Asia.

Combining the ancient arts of Muay Thai fighting, Thai-boxing and karate, the modern sport of kickboxing has been gradually developed and refined over the last thirty years. Today, competitors engage in sparring, kicks, punches, kick blocks, shadow boxing, and wood breaking – all learned and applied under professional instruction.