Female Fighters Matter Too Join Kumite Classic

Kumite Classic promoter and WAKO USA Tatami Chairman Bill Viola Jr. is the father of a sport karate champion daughter and the big brother to four black belt sisters. He is passionate about equality and opportunities for females in the sport. We are proud to announce our partnership with FFM2 “Female Fighters Matter Too” and bringing them to the Arnold Schwarzenegger Martial Arts Festival.

“Female Fighters Matter Too” (FFM2) is a non-profit organization founded by Master of Tae Kwon Do, Maggie Messina, in September 2024. The organization is dedicated to promoting equality for female athletes, particularly in the martial arts industry. FFM2 focuses on creating opportunities and advocating for equal treatment and recognition of female fighters worldwide.

Since its inception, FFM2 has been actively involved in sponsoring and supporting various martial arts events. In November 2024, the organization was a presenting sponsor of the KTOC Nationals Martial Arts Tournament in New York City. Additionally, FFM2 has sponsored events such as the Ocean State Grand Nationals and the Space City Open Nationals, demonstrating its commitment to fostering a supportive environment for female martial artists.

Beyond event sponsorships, FFM2 maintains an active presence on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where it shares updates, highlights achievements of female athletes, and raises awareness about issues related to gender equality in sports.

The organization’s founder, Maggie Messina, has been a passionate advocate for empowering women in the martial arts world. Her efforts through FFM2 aim to break down barriers and provide female fighters with the recognition and opportunities they deserve.

In summary, Female Fighters Matter Too is a pivotal organization striving to bring equality to female athletes by creating opportunities, supporting events, and advocating for fair treatment in the martial arts industry.

“Why are women’s divisions treated second rate at best?”

Maggie Messina often posed this question to herself as she competed in the 80’s. Her first competition was at the late GM SH Cho’s event in 1986 at Madison Square Garden. Her division was squished into the gym corner between the bleachers and bathroom. Women pay the same registration fee to compete. They also sacrifice the same amount of time and sweat during training but they don’t garner the same respect as the male competitors.

Experiencing this inequality was Messina’s inspiration for founding the Female Fighters Matter Too (FFM2) movement. FFM2 is an organization focused on creating opportunities for female athletes. Maggie is not new to advocating for female athletes either. Growing up in the 80’s in the foster care system, there were limited opportunities for Messina and other girls to participate in sports. Her desire to compete drove her forward and Messina landed positions on both the boy’s football and basketball school teams through sheer determination and willingness to play. This was a revolutionary move in the early 80’s, and helped pave the way for an expansion of girl’s sports in her school district. When she faced similar obstacles to women’s participation at martial arts tournaments, she knew she would be the one to overcome them.