CENTURY interview with WAKO Hungary President Péter Galambos

Mr. Galambos, how did the partnership between WAKO Hungary and CENTURY Martial Arts come about?
Through our experiences in American competition events, we became aware of CENTURY Martial Arts (CMA). The company appeared to be a dynamically growing and committed partner in martial arts. What was particularly exciting was that CMA, as a platinum sponsor of WAKO, broke the previous market dominance of a single manufacturer and created a competitive situation that benefits the entire martial arts community. Ultimately, the »Human Factor« played a decisive role: our esteemed and successful compatriot László Gömbös represented CMA. His persuasion and commitment were the final push to take this important step.

What goals do you hope to achieve through this partnership?
Our main goal is to provide our team with high-quality clothing and protective equipment in the long term. We place great emphasis on our sponsor delivering on time, reliably, and with the highest quality. Additionally, we hope that the cooperation will provide a sustainable competitive advantage for our athletes.

What significance does CENTURY Martial Arts have for Hungarian kickboxing?
CMA provides a stable foundation for professional preparation and competition participation. Their high-quality protective gear and training apparel are a decisive factor for athletic success.

Are there any concrete results or projects from this partnership?
We are currently working together on designing and developing new collections. It is particularly important to us that CMA involves us as a federation in this process. This way, we can consider the final result as our own product.

Equipment and Support

How does CENTURY Martial Arts support WAKO Hungary?
CMA provides us with a certain amount of combat clothing and protective equipment. In addition, we receive financial support that significantly helps us in preparing and organising competitions.

What benefits does the partnership bring to Hungarian athletes?
The most important thing is supply security. This allows us to plan long term and ensure that our athletes always train and compete with optimal equipment. We are also involved in product development, which gives us the opportunity to pass on experiences directly and contribute to improving protective gear.

Are there specific products from CENTURY Martial Arts that are particularly useful for Hungarian kickboxing?
Currently, we are mostly familiar with the proven product range. However, we are confident that through our cooperation, we will discover new, previously lesser-known products that could be of great benefit to our athletes.

How satisfied are athletes and coaches with the quality of the provided equipment?
The training suits and combat clothing fully convince us. They are modern, creative, and aesthetically appealing. We see room for improvement with the foot and head protectors and look forward to working with CMA on even more competition-friendly products.

Impact on Competitive Sports

What impact does the partnership have on the performance of the Hungarian national team?
A secure and continuous supply of high-quality equipment is a crucial factor. This allows our athletes to focus fully on their performance.

Do you expect the partnership to enhance WAKO Hungary’s international competitiveness?
Yes, definitely! We receive valuable insights from a dynamic and innovative company that gives our athletes new confidence.

Will CENTURY Martial Arts be present at national or international competitions in Hungary?
We expect increased presence from CMA at events such as the Hungarian World Cup and other national competitions. We will create the necessary conditions for close collaboration.

Future Perspectives

What are the plans for a long-term collaboration?
I can provide more detailed information about this in about a year. After initial experiences with the partnership, we will work specifically on long-term plans.

Is there a possibility to expand the collaboration to include youth development or grassroots sports?
Definitely! A particular focus is on youth development, as it ensures the future of our sport.

How do you see the future of Hungarian kickboxing with CENTURY Martial Arts as a partner?
Hungarian kickboxing is one of the most successful nations in WAKO history. CMA can help us maintain and expand this position. We particularly see great opportunities in the USA to gather valuable experiences.

How might this partnership inspire other countries or organisations?
The Hungarian World Cup is one of the largest tournaments within WAKO. Once other federations see that we are partnering with CMA, they will surely wonder why we chose this. Our results will provide the answer.

Personal Opinion

What does this partnership mean to you personally as president of WAKO Hungary?
I am proud to have built this collaboration during my tenure. I have high hopes for this partnership.

What do you wish for from CENTURY Martial Arts in the future?
Let’s start and work together successfully. If we trust and support each other, the possibilities are endless.

Do you have a special message for the kickboxing community?
Watch developments closely, recognise opportunities, and have the courage to take new paths. The Roman poet Vergil said: Sic itur ad astra – »Thus one reaches the stars.« That is my motto, and I recommend it to all sports friends, including CMA, as a guiding principle.