About NWANA
The continental federation building Nordic walking as a professional sport across North America.
One federation for a continental sport
The Nordic Walking Association of North America (NWANA) is the continental governing and sanctioning body for competitive Nordic walking across North America.
NWANA operates as a U.S. nonprofit public charity recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our mission is to develop Nordic walking with integrity, professional standards, public benefit, and a long-term continental vision across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the wider North American region.
NWANA connects education, professional development, licensing, local NW Groups, competition rules, organized competitions, official results, sanctioning, and sport development within one growing system.
The NWANA Open Nordic Walking Series already provides scheduled competition opportunities, published results, and standings. At the same time, NWANA continues developing the people, local organizations, technical capacity, and event infrastructure needed to expand in-person stadium, road, cross-country, and relay competitions across North America.
Six pillars of the sport system
Governance
Develop rules, standards, policies, integrity protections, and long-term direction for Nordic walking across North America.
Education
Provide progressive education and qualification pathways for instructors, coaches, judges, Race Directors, technical officials, and leaders through NWANA Academy.
Licensing
Operate licensing pathways for athletes, professionals, individual NW Group participants, and eligible organizations.
Community
Help people join existing NW Groups or begin establishing new groups for communities, workplaces, schools, healthcare organizations, and municipalities.
Competitions
Develop and operate Nordic walking competitions, publish official results and standings, maintain competition rules, and expand opportunities for athletes.
Sport development
Continue building the people, organizations, events, technical standards, sanctioning capacity, and ranking structures for a sustainable continental sport system.
One system, five steps
1. Learn and develop
Begin with Nordic walking education and continue through the appropriate participant or professional pathway.
2. Connect locally
Join an existing NW Group or help establish a new group in your community or organization.
3. Obtain the appropriate license
Select the license that corresponds to your role, activity, organization, or level of professional responsibility.
4. Participate and compete
Take part in NWANA activities, challenges, competitions, and other published opportunities.
5. Lead, organize, or support
Continue developing as a professional, establish an NW Group, organize activities or competitions, volunteer, partner with NWANA, sponsor a program, or support a designated fund.
Albert Fatikhov
NWANA was founded by Albert Fatikhov to build a full continental federation for Nordic walking in the United States: verified competitions, fair performance levels, instructor education, and local groups, all running as one machine.
As an athlete, he is a World Championship medalist: silver in the 4x5K relay and bronze in the 5K at Lahti 2024. He leads the federation the way he races, from the front.
A small roster, a high bar
NWANA's elite athlete roster is intentionally small. It is led by Albert Fatikhov, World Championship medalist (silver, 4x5K relay; bronze, 5K, Lahti 2024).
Elite status at NWANA is earned on the course, through the same verified performance levels every athlete climbs, from Open to Elite.
Board of directors
Our leadership is built on real sporting experience. The President and most members of the Board have earned medals at World Championships, continental championships, national championships, and other major competitions in Nordic walking and additional sports.
Public benefit and integrity
As a 501(c)(3) public charity, NWANA is committed to transparency, public benefit, fair access, participant safety, and responsible sport development. We believe Nordic walking can grow into a strong and respected competitive sport across North America when its development is supported by real education, technical knowledge, community access, fair competition, clear standards, and accountable leadership.