Groin Protection for Kickboxing

WAKO requires groin protection for men and women in every fighting discipline. It must be hard plastic, and it can be a cup covering the genitals or a guard covering the entire abdomen (WAKO Rules 2022, Art. 2.3.1.8). WAKO's labels document lists groin protection among the items that need no WAKO label. Other organisations' rules differ: ISKA Europe's 2018 rules require groin protection for male fighters and call an abdominal guard preferable to a cup.

Two styles are listed: a cup, and larger no-foul protectors that wrap further around the abdomen. A larger guard covers more, but a reviewer notes that no-foul harnesses can limit kicking. So weigh coverage against how freely you need to move your legs.

These protectors are listed for kickboxing training and sparring, not as WAKO competition kit. Before a WAKO bout, check that your guard's shell is hard plastic. The maker's description of its materials is the place to look. Check your event's rules too. WAKO also requires hard-plastic breast protection for female competitors from older cadets upwards (Art. 2.3.1.7), which this category does not cover.