At the 8th World Championship in Massage held in Copenhagen, Thailand emerged as the top massage nation, followed by Lithuania, China, Argentina, and France rounding out the top five. In the overall individual competition, gold went to Len-Jin Liang of Canada, while Denmark’s Anne Breinberg secured silver and Italy’s Erica Argano took home the bronze. Jeppe Tengbjerg, founder of the International Massage Association & World Championship in Massage, shared that the 8th edition, which took place from June 27 to June 29, 2025, broke all records with 267 participants from 58 countries.
The International Massage Association aims to develop and promote the various massage techniques which are practiced by experienced massage therapists worldwide.
By participating in the World Championship, the massage therapists get the opportunity to strengthen and improve their skills. A Diploma is issued for each participant, enabling the Massage Therapists to brand their business in a new way.
Judges from 27 countries evaluated 5 key criteria with a triple-checked point system:
- Techniques
- Ergonomy and Body Mechanics
- Flow
- Innovation
- Client contact & Empathy
2025 Results:
World’s Best Massage Nations: Thailand (1st), Lithuania, China, Argentina, France (5th)
Overall Final:
Gold: Len-Jin LIANG, Canada
Silver: Anne BREINBERG, Denmark
Bronze: Erica ARGANO, Italy
SWEDISH Massage:
Gold: Erica ARGANO, Italy
Silver: Supakorn WONGHOM, USA
Bronze: Raul Rodriguez HERNANDEZ, Cuba
WELLNESS Massage:
Gold: Supakorn WONGHOM, USA
Silver: Rita TUPE, New Zealand
Bronze: Karantayev YERBOL, Kazakhstan (online)
THAI Massage:
Gold: Len-Jin LIANG, Canada
Silver: Sawai KOPRAKHON, France
Bronze: Soontree NILSSON, Thailand
FREESTYLE EASTERN Massage:
Gold: Wim STULTIENS, Belgium
Silver: Sontree NILSSON, Thailand
Bronze: Felipe LUZ, Spain
FREESTYLE WESTERN Massage:
Gold: Anne BREINBERG, Denmark
Silver: Aram Muradyan, Lithuania
Bronze: Eldari Mgebrishvili, Georgia
FACIAL Massage:
Gold: Josep Lupion PORTA, Spain
Silver: Marzena CZYZEWSKA, Poland
Bronze: Brice AVON, France
BODY SHAPING Massage:
Gold: Daniela MADAGHIELE, Italy
Silver: Marzena CZYZEWSKA, Poland
Bronze: Marie GUITTET, France
SPORTS Massage:
Gold: Marie GUITTET, France
Silver: Sarah JOHNSTON, USA
Bronze: Anna KLESKA, Poland
CHAIR Massage:
Gold: Erica ARGANO, Italy
Silver: Chudawan WASUWAN, Thailand
Bronze: Déhlia LAPEYRIE, France
Hall of Fame 2025: Jean-Guy de GABRIAC, Founder of World Wellness Weekend
Influencers of the Year 2025: Wassa LAKKAM & Sebastien VALLA
Social Media 2025: Edina LEICHTER
Best Massage Event 2025: Liane DUFRESNE – Canadian Massage Summit & Massage Championship
Best National Championship 2025: Takuto KAWAKAMI – Japanese Championship and the World Tour
Teacher of the Year 2025: Jidapha WILKINSON
IMA Ambassador of 2025: Luisa VARGAS
School of the Year 2025: Anna BARONI – Annabel School
New IMA approved School: P. Stradins Medical College of the University of Latvia
Best New Massage Event 2025: Carl NEWBURY – Massage World Exchange Day, London
Out of 80 nominated videos:
Overall Best video: Catherine CEREZO, Switzerland
Best Massage Promotion 2025 VIDEO: Gerarda CIRULLI KOLEY, Italy
Best Massage Story Telling 2025 VIDEO: Barbara GABBIANELLI, Italy
Best Massage Therapist Presentation 2025 VIDEO: Gerarda CIRULLI KOLEY, Italy
Best Massage Method Demonstration 2025 VIDEO: Kiyomi ORHARA, Japan
Best Massage School Promotion 2025 VIDEO: Kornelia DZIUBACKA, Poland
Best Massage Teaser 2025 VIDEO: Nadia COELHO, Portugal
Best Massage Reels 2025 VIDEO: Viktoria BILOUSAVA, Ukraine
Best Massage Video edit: Constantine BARBU, Switzerland
Best Special Massage Promotion 2025 VIDEO: Irina GEYMAN, Germany
Best Multi Handed Massage Promotion 2025 VIDEO: The Slow & Aware Team
Best Massage Event Promotion 2025 VIDEO: Chutima HÄLG, Thailand
Best Massage Championship Promotion 2025 VIDEO: Yana HERZOG & Mykhailo ZINCHENKO