K1 - past and present

[EyeSpy]

from EyeSpy, roving kickboxing correspondent

What has happened to the mighty K1 GP?
What happened to the days of a young swashbuckling Lumberjack felling equals like Mr Perfect, Slammin' Sam Grecho and Jerome Le Banner, only to hit the canvas in the next round?

Yes folks, those were the days when the K1 GP was up for grabs and just a bee's **** (am I allow to say that Admin?) separated the entire field.

The clinical finishing on Ernesto Hoost, the never stay down Cyril Abidi, the step up powerhouse Ray Sefo and my personal favourite, the black sniper Mike MacDonald, always fighting over his weight but courageous and dynamic.

Did I mention the tough as nails, Cro Cop?

AND NOW...

I watched the K1 GP 2005 final the other night with a shake of the head and a little tear in my eye. The head shaking was aimed at the new fashion of circus performers and freaks taking over the battleground that has been honoured in years past by the aforementioned warriors.
Hong Man, a 7 foot monster did not throw a kick, could not throw a proper punch. Perhaps in MMA he could become a credible ground fighter as most men would yield to an object the size of a Volkswagen landing on top of them, but at K1, he's no good.

The tear in the eye was watching erstwhile heroes, Aerts and Le Banner lamely battle as a shadow of their former selves. Thank goodness Hoost had the good sense to retire and allow his memory to linger as the best ever to grace the K1 ring.

Tears turned to sobs watching Ray Sefo battle with Schilt. This man is Jake the Muss personified, but he looked slow and overweight. Some say a virus slowed him down but by the middle of the 3rd round he was spent. Sad.

Semmy Schilt finally brought a smile to my face; not the tidiest of exponents, but big, tough and right on his game. This man will be hard to beat and seems to have a solid chin.

In all, not very interesting stuff<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

However...
I also got to see the K1 Max when I was at Yokohama recently, and what a breath of fresh air this was. No freaks, only worthy contenders. Any one of perhaps 5 fighters could have come away with the silver (and the 10mm Yen). The preparation of the fighters was exquisite. No blubber, no easy passage to the Finals, only 8 tough as nails warriors ready to lay down life to win.
And what a surprise the winner was.

My faith in the K1 has been restored, albeit from realms unexpected...

[admin]

Nice post EyeSpy... interesting take on the K-1 GP... I see it from a different perspective though.

All sports go in cycles and K-1 heavyweights is nearing the end of a cycle that is seeing the playing down of the freaks that have been at the centre for the past three years, a return to the pure fighting styles, and the emergence of new blood as the old guard hang up their gloves.

While it was emotional to see Aerts, LeBanner, Sefo beyond their best, it was pleasing to watch the succulent combinations of newblood Ruslan Karaev, the kicking arsenal and KO power of young Badr Hari, the coming of age of Kyokushin exponent Glaube Feitosa and the emergence of a new K-1 champion who is the REAL DEAL - Semmy Schilt - a fifth dan Karateka.

Yes there was a freak, Choi, whose praises I won't sing except to say that he held his ground against Bonjasky, which is more than we can say for other freaks such as Akebono and Sapp (both of whom Choi defeated, Akebono x 2).

So while some fighters are in the twighlight of their careers no doubt:

Aerts
LeBanner
Hoost
Sefo

There is plenty of new blood to look forward to:

Hari
Karaev
Schilt
Nordstrand
Benazzouz


And quality fighters who will always put up their best

Feitosa
Bonjasky
Musashi
Abidi
Leko
Mo Siliga
Ignashov (back from injury)
Pettas (returning next year)
Van Dams (returning next year)


I think for the first time in the last three years we have actually seen the K-1 HW talent pool increase this year, no decrease.

And about the Max, good call, quality quality.

BBKB Fan Club

"The Voice" Michael Schiavello




-Editor-
International Kickboxer
Fox Sports
Fox 8
MAIN EVENT
TV2 - TVNZ

"He's taken MORE HITS than a conceirge at Russell Crowe's hotel!" -- Commentary of Sapp vs Choi, TV2, NZ

[Voice]

Shiv,
wasn't the Badr Hari spinning shling kick to the head of Leko absolutely devastating! WOW.
I thought he was a little cold in not seeing how injured his opponent was but after celebrating he showed a lot of concern. Nice to see.
I actually thought Bob Sapp for a time was a good addition...freaky yes, but vicious too. Knocking Hoost's block off twice was no small feat.

come now eyespy, you are getting soft son (or is it being politically correct), thought we only heard goss from your keyboard! hehe

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A man's gotta know his limitations...

[iceman]

Well said Admin, what great news to hear Nicholas is being allowed to compete. The future K1 events are going to be rippers with the current pool of contenders, thank goodness for the gradual disapearance of the, I wont say freaks, but unnatural genetics of those few men. ( bring on the Chief) OSU! RTR

[Voice]

yeah, but I don't know if the same can be said for Aussie contenders. The Chief maybe, but we just haven't seen anything of him. Sting?? Well maybe but is K1 his game?
Possibly the Pola Express, but there just aren't any Sam Greco's waiting in the wings I don't believe.

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A man's gotta know his limitations...

[supermario]

Jason Tramsek is only 18 years old and looked like an absolute gun at No Respect 3 when I watched it on fox sports a couple of nights ago. He's a cruiserweight, but could very well, and most likely will, grow into a heavyweight when he is a bit older and more seasoned.

[babyface]

supermario i totally agree

[harls]

Jason's performance was easily the highlight of the show. The boy is very well groomed for the K1 circuit, he can do it all and he can do it very well. Props to Johnny Scida, he has done a great job with Jason.:)

Shiv, Shilt isn't really new blood is he?

"Adapt, Improvise, Overcome"

[admin]

Semmy's only had about 10 fights in K-1, so he's still relatively new. Plus this was his first time in a GP.

BBKB Fan Club

"The Voice" Michael Schiavello

-Editor-
International Kickboxer
Fox Sports
Fox 8
MAIN EVENT
TV2 - TVNZ

"He's taken MORE HITS than a conceirge at Russell Crowe's hotel!" -- Commentary of Sapp vs Choi, TV2, NZ

[harls]

Cool thanks for that mate. Didn't realise it was his first GP.

"Adapt, Improvise, Overcome"

[Voice]

for mine, if Ignashov and Mushashi hang up their gloves it wouldn't be much of a loss.

With good prizemoney I see no reason to think there won't be all sorts of contenders popping up...

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A man's gotta know his limitations...

[sniper]

eyespy, u mentioned that the k1 max was a relief to watch because there were no freaks and that the boys were not fat and were infact chiseled with muscles etc. i think this is due to the fact that there is a 70kg cut off mark. in a society that is getting heavier by the year, staying at 70kg is harder to do so of course there are not going to be any freaks in this or fat guys. good post though.