Century Open 2026: Successful Premiere in Lünen
On April 25, 2026, the Century Open was held in Lünen for the first time – and immediately made a strong statement for kickboxing in North Rhine-Westphalia. The tournament took place at the Städtisches Gymnasium Lünen-Altlünen and was listed on Sportdata as an official kickboxing event.
Right from its premiere, the event impressively showed its great potential: strong organization, fair fights, professional procedures and an atmosphere that inspired athletes, coaches, officials and spectators alike.
A Strong Start for a New Event
Wow – what an impressive start.
With great commitment, passion and perseverance, Brahim Triqui and his team brought the Century Open in Lünen to life. Despite numerous challenges in the run-up to the event – from organizational and contractual matters to scheduling conflicts with other events – the tournament was not only successfully held, but immediately became a real highlight.
This is exactly how something great begins: the first foundation has been laid.
Professional Organization and Strong Presentation
From the moment you entered the hall, it was clear how much emphasis had been placed on organization, structure and professionalism. The overall presentation of the event was at a very high level.
The fighting areas, mats and boxing ring were optimally positioned. Everything felt well thought out, clearly structured and welcoming – both for the athletes as well as for coaches, supervisors and spectators. The combination of a professional setup and a strong sporting atmosphere created ideal conditions.
Fair Fights, Respect and Sporting Ambition
Fair fights, respect and sporting ambition were at the heart of the event. The athletes delivered strong performances and clearly showed how vibrant and competitive kickboxing is in North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond.
The coaches were also impressed by the conditions on site. The professional organization and positive atmosphere played a key role in allowing everyone involved to focus on what mattered most: the sport.
Exclusive Medals as a Special Highlight
One special detail that many will remember was the high-quality Century Open medals. All podium finishers received exclusive awards featuring premium 3D embossing and an elegant neck ribbon.
Details like these make an event truly special. They show appreciation for the athletes and underline the ambition to establish the Century Open as a high-quality tournament format in the long term.
Strong Support from Officials and Partners
A smooth event is only possible when many people work together professionally. The referees made an important contribution to the success of the tournament with their confident and professional work.
The support of the Sportdata team around Adil Triqui was equally important. With their experience and technical support, they played a key role in ensuring a professional event process.
Another special sign of appreciation was the personal visit of Century CEO Michael Dillard from Oklahoma, USA, who attended the opening of the first Century Open in Lünen. The presence of Ilija Salerno, WAKO Europe Sport Director, also underlined the importance of this event.
Media Coverage and Strong Public Impact
The Century Open also received professional media coverage. Danny “Brannmanndan” Slevin supported the event with social media content and helped make the impressions from Lünen visible to a wider audience.
This kind of reach is especially important for a new tournament format. It helps build awareness, reach athletes and further develop the event in the long term.
An Event with Great Potential
The Century Open 2026 has shown the great potential of this tournament. The combination of organization, quality, international participation, professional support and genuine passion makes one thing clear:
The Century Open has what it takes to grow year after year and establish itself as a strong international kickboxing event in the long term.
A big and heartfelt thank you goes to all helpers, organizers, officials, supporters, coaches and, of course, all athletes. You all made this event possible.
This was only the beginning.
The equipment from CENTURY Martial Arts is WAKO-approved and designed for use in competition – even at the highest level. With this label, the protective gear is approved and certified for future competitions. The World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) is the globally recognized governing body for kickboxing and is supported by the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). WAKO has over 4 million members in 129 countries and organizes the Kickboxing World Championships every two years.

