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Strength Beyond the Ring

 #33


Strength Beyond the Ring


By Lord Dr Paul Martin (HonDSc), WKA World Vice President

The power we build in martial arts isn’t measured by how hard we can hit, but by how we carry ourselves outside the ring. Strength in combat is easy to see: the snap of a kick, the rhythm of a combination, the endurance to keep going when the body wants to quit. But the strength that truly matters — the kind that leaves a legacy — is shown in how we live, lead, and inspire beyond the fight.

In life, just as in sport, the greatest fighters are not those who simply dominate an opponent, but those who use their platform to protect, uplift, and inspire others. Martial arts were never meant to be about destruction. It is about balance, responsibility, and respect. The black belt is not just a symbol of technical mastery — it is a constant reminder that strength comes with duty.

Throughout the history of the World Kickboxing and Karate Association (WKA), this truth has been embodied by some of the sport’s most iconic champions.

Take Rob Kaman, “The Dutchman” whose devastating low kicks and relentless fighting style made him one of the most feared men in the ring. Yet outside of competition, Kaman became a role model, proving that greatness requires discipline, respect, and humility. His victories were not only counted in belts and trophies, but also in the countless fighters he inspired to chase excellence.

Consider Peter “Sugarfoot” Cunningham, whose speed and technical precision earned him global respect. Cunningham’s reputation extended far beyond his victories. He was admired for his sportsmanship, his teaching, and his example of calm control under pressure. He showed a generation that the mark of a true champion is not arrogance, but grace.

Then there is Marek Piotrowski, the Polish warrior who captured hearts as well as titles. Piotrowski’s career was marked not just by triumphs but by battles against incredible adversity. His courage in and out of the ring made him more than a champion — he became a symbol of resilience, an example of how to stand firm when life delivers its most brutal blows.

And finally, Don “The Dragon” Wilson, a multiple-time WKA World Champion, proved that martial arts could reach far beyond the ring. Wilson not only secured world titles but also carried the sport into popular culture through his work in Hollywood. His success in film inspired millions, demonstrating that the discipline, charisma, and strength cultivated in the dojo can have a profound impact on the world stage.

These champions prove that martial arts is bigger than the fight. Titles can fade, records will be broken, and the roar of the crowd eventually dies down — but the way a fighter carries themselves, the values they pass on, and the lives they touch endure for generations.

When we speak of strength beyond the ring, this is what we mean: using martial arts not as a weapon, but as a way of life. The fight continues every day — in how we treat people, how we face challenges, and how we use our influence to build something greater than ourselves.

The accurate measure of a martial artist is not the power of their punch, but the strength of their character.

As WKA Vice President and author of The Legacy — the first book ever written to honour 50 years of WKA history — I’ve captured not only victories in the ring, but the values that define our champions beyond it.

Now, I invite you to be part of that story:

📖 Meet me — guest of honour and laureate of the King’s Awards 2025, WKA Vice President — together with WKA World President Dave Sawyer at the WKA World Championships in Sheffield, held at the iconic Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, on 18 October 2025 at 3:00 PM.

We’ll be signing copies of The Legacy and meeting readers, athletes, and coaches who carry this sport forward.

✨ Come for the history.
✨ Come for the conversation.
✨ Come to celebrate a legacy of strength that reaches far beyond the ring.



#wkainternational #theroyalclub #kae2025london





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