Every rejected bout at KBN comes with a reason from a fixed list and a note written for the athlete. Sometimes the rejection is right: the evidence really was missing. Sometimes a document was misread or an organiser replied late. The appeals procedure exists for both situations.
Before you appeal: read the reason
Open your application in the fighter portal. Each rejected bout shows the reason and the note. Common reasons include:
- The result could not be confirmed by the organiser or federation.
- The event has no KBN level, or was rejected by KBN World HQ.
- Details did not match the official result (date, opponent, method, weight).
- The bout was an exhibition or not an official bout.
- The evidence was unreadable or incomplete.
Often the fastest fix is not an appeal but better evidence. If the problem was a missing document, send it.
The three steps
| Step | Where to write | Deadline | Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Informal review | Your national branch | 14 days from the decision | Within 14 days |
| 2 Ranking Committee review | KBN official e-mail, marked "Appeal" | 14 days from step 1 (or from an HQ decision) | Decision within 30 days |
| 3 Appeals Board | As set out in the Executive Statute | 21 days | Final within the federation |
Branches cannot overturn decisions made by KBN World HQ, but they can forward them with a recommendation. If the original decision was made by HQ, you can go straight to step 2.
Complaints & appeals procedure →
What to include
- Your application number, licence number or Fighter ID.
- The specific bout or decision concerned.
- Why you believe the decision is wrong, briefly and factually.
- New evidence, if any, clearly labelled.
- Contact details for anyone who can confirm the result.
Write to holdingkbn@gmail.com and mark the subject "Appeal". Keep a copy of everything.
What the Committee can and cannot do
The Ranking Committee can approve a previously rejected result, correct details, request further evidence, and ask KBN World HQ to review an event's level. If an appeal succeeds, points and positions are corrected immediately and the change is logged.
It cannot give points outside the formula, award points for a result it cannot verify, or accept payment to change a decision. Points are earned only through verified sporting performance.
Appeals about event levels
If you believe an event was graded too low, or wrongly rejected, the appeal is really about the event. Provide evidence about the event: organiser, officials, medical cover, number and origin of competitors, published results. HQ decides event levels, and a level can only be set by HQ; it cannot be raised above the default for that level.
Disciplinary matters
Sanctions under the Code of Conduct follow their own process: you are told the allegation and evidence, can respond within 14 days and can be heard. Refused appeals and disciplinary sanctions can go to the Appeals Board.
A sample appeal
Keep it short and factual:
"Application APP-26-1234, bout of 16 May 2026 at the International Open, rejected as 'result could not be confirmed'. I attach the organiser's signed result sheet (page 2, bout 7) and the contact details of the event director, who has agreed to confirm the result. I ask the Ranking Committee to review the decision."
What happens after a successful appeal
The bout is approved through an audited decision, the ranking engine recalculates, and your points and positions update across the world, continental and national tables immediately. Your certificate and licence render the new values when you next open them.
Myths and facts
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Appeals always go to the branch first | If HQ made the decision, you can go straight to the Ranking Committee |
| An appeal freezes the table | Tables reflect current verified results; successful appeals correct them immediately |
| The Committee can award points outside the formula | It cannot; it applies the rules to verified results |
| Paying speeds up an appeal | No payment affects any decision |
Scenario: an event with no level
An athlete's bout was rejected because the event had no KBN level. The right route is to provide evidence about the event itself: organiser, officials, medical cover, field and published results, so HQ can decide whether to recognise it. If HQ assigns a level, the bout can then be approved.
Frequently asked questions
QIs there a fee to appeal?
The appeals procedure does not list a fee. Check the fees page for any future schedule; no fee ever buys a result or points.
QWill my ranking be frozen during an appeal?
No. Tables reflect the current verified results. If your appeal succeeds, the correction takes effect immediately.
QCan I appeal someone else's ranking?
Report concerns about another athlete's results to KBN with evidence. The Ranking Committee may review any table and corrects errors when found.
QWhat if I miss the 14-day deadline?
Write anyway and explain why. The procedure sets deadlines, and the Committee decides whether to accept a late request.
Figures in this article are computed from the KBN register at the time of reading. View, like and share counters on this demo site are sample values.