Pix & Report K1 Osaka

[HAMMER]

By Monty DiPietro


<h3>Europeans Excellent at K-1 WGP Final Elimination</h3>


OSAKA, September 30, 2006 -- Fighters from Australia, New Zealand, Trinidad, Japan and Korea all fell by the way, and, but for a lone Brazilian, it was all about European power tonight at the K-1 World Grand Prix '06 Final Elimination Tournament in Osaka.

While nothing compares with the drama of the eight-men-in-one-man-out K-1 World GP Final, the annual Elimination event has an energy all its own. Here, fighters need not pace themselves for a long night or speculate about potential second and third contest opponents. With just a single bout involved, fighters can undertake differential preparation and focus all their energy on the one man that stands between them and a place at fightsports' most prestigious event, the K-1 Tokyo Dome Final.

http://www.sportzblitz.net/international-kickboxer/forumpics/k1-osaka06/closing ceremony.JPG

The '06 K-1 regional tournament winners and exceptional fighters joined the finalists from the '05 WGP and got down to business tonight at the Osaka Jo Hall. The evening comprised eight one-match bouts (fought under regular K-1 Rules, 3min x 3R), with the eight victors advancing to the Tokyo Dome. The 16 participants had excellence in common, otherwise they were diverse -- a variety of styles, veterans and up-and-comers, finesse fighters and brawlers alike.

The card's first matchup was a battle of newcomers, as the explosive Russian kickboxer Ruslan Karaev, 23, stepped in against Badr Hari of Holland, a 21 year-old muay thai stylist who has countered his enfant terrible image with the improbable sobriquet "Golden Boy." Wearing a Los Angeles Lakers' jersey, Hari lip-synched to Compton gangsta rap during his protracted ring entrance. Karaev counterpointed with a friendly, touch-the-fans-hands stroll to the squared circle, and finally it was time for this much-anticipated showdown.

http://www.sportzblitz.net/international-kickboxer/forumpics/k1-osaka06/Karaev Hari.JPG

The fight, unfortunately, lasted only a fraction of the time the entrances had. Hari made a good start of it, firing in hard low kicks that seemed to sting Karaev. But during a quick exchange, Karaev stepped forward with a left and then a right hook that left Hari slumping against the corner post. Karaev fired in another punch, then a kick before the referee, who was positioned behind the action, stepped forth to call a down. Hari did not stand or assume a fighting pose, and so the fight was called.

Hari and his seconds then closed in on Karaev's corner, protesting vehemently, even as big-screen replays had fans speculating about elbow contact and late strikes. But the bout had been called and the bell had been rung, and that was that. Karaev collected his trophy and left, but a defiant Hari stayed on, and had to be talked out of the ring by K-1 officials. "I stop fighting!" bellowed the infuriated Hari as he marched away, "I tell you now, I stop fighting!" It is a safe bet that we will be hearing more from Hari and his Show Time Team about this -- and a safe bet that the wunderkind will, in fact, fight again.

Gary Goodridge of Trinidad and Tobago by way of Canada was a late substitute here. In the second bout, he took on two-time WGP Champion Remy Bonjasky of the Netherlands.

http://www.sportzblitz.net/international-kickboxer/forumpics/k1-osaka06/Goodridge Bonjasky.JPG





Edited by - Hammer on 02 Oct 2006 12:13:18

[HAMMER]

Bonjasky is terrific with his legwork, while Goodridge brings a power-punch game and is known for fast starts. Goodridge was uncharacteristically cautious in the early going, and that cost him. Bonjasky took the initiative, coming in with a perfect flying knee to score a down midway through the first. Goodridge only barely beat the count, and but for a brief barrage of body blows, never really threatened. The second was similar, Bonjasky controlling the distance, picking his spots and firing in the kicks, blocking well when Goodridge got inside. By the third Bonjasky was completely in control, and put a punishing flying knee up to the face, followed by a couple of punches and a high kick, to lay his opponent out and pick up a ticket to the Tokyo Dome.

The dedicated and technical Kyokushin fighter Glaube Feitosa of Brazil has charted a rapid improvement curve that took him to the final bout at the Tokyo Dome last year. In tonight's third matchup he put his panache up against the power of Oceania GP Champion Paul Slowinski of Australia.

http://www.sportzblitz.net/international-kickboxer/forumpics/k1-osaka06/Feitosa Slowinski.JPG

Feitosa was in fine form, rattling Slowinski early on with a right straight punch and laying in the kicks with terrific timing. Slowinski showed his technique with a number of strong punch and kick combinations, and to his credit kept coming in right to the final bell. But where Slowinski was an able craftsman, Feitosa was the consummate artist, deftly snapping in the low kicks, threading through the fists, firing up the preternatural Kyokushin high kicks -- fighting with a poise and rhythm that the increasingly frustrated Slowinski simply could not match. A well-deserved unanimous decision for the Brazilian.

In a bout between karate giants, Defending WGP Champion Semmy Schilt of Holland faced this year's K-1 Europe Tournament winner, Bjorn Bregy of Switzerland. At 202cm/6'8", Bregy is accustomed to out-heighting his opponents. But today he had to look up to Schilt, who at 212cm/6'11 is a veritable tower of power. Bregy also experienced three unwelcome occasions to gaze up at Schilt from the canvas.

http://www.sportzblitz.net/international-kickboxer/forumpics/k1-osaka06/Bregy Schilt.JPG

The Swiss fighter commenced bravely, but midway through the first, just as he was putting in a left, Schilt countered coolly with a left of his own, outreaching him to score a down. Bregy was obviously hurt quite badly on this exchange, and while he beat the count and continued, he was forced to turn away in pain after taking another punch to the face. This resulted in a standing count, and after resumption Schilt did what he had to do, planting another punch on Bregy's brutalized mug to record a third down and take the KO win. With the way he has been fighting, Schilt has an excellent chance to repeat as champion this year.

Regarded as one of the best K-1 fighters never to win the WGP, the incomparable Ray Sefo of New Zealand faced another veteran, K-1 Repechage tournament winner Stefan "Blitz" Leko of Germany, in the next fight. In a bout in Osaka four years ago, it was Sefo who emerged victorious. Leko was looking to even the score tonight.

http://www.sportzblitz.net/international-kickboxer/forumpics/k1-osaka06/Leko Sefo.JPG

[HAMMER]

These two are friends outside the ring, and the fight frequently suggested this -- as technical exchanges were evidenced more than killer instinct. There were moments to be sure -- Sefo, mostly planted, stepping in with the hard right; Leko always in motion, penetrating with his jabs and straight punches. Both had the low kicks and one-two combinations here and there, but neither could follow up when they might take an advantage. The fellows launched a number of creative attacks, spinning back kicks and punches, side kicks -- but neither could do any damage with these either. Judges couldn't make a call after three, and sent the fight to an extra and deciding round. Here it was more spirited, but, again, very close -- the pair trading low kicks, Sefo dropping his guard to challenge, Leko testing repeatedly with the left and placing low kicks. Judges decided Leko deserved it more, and he was put through to the Tokyo Dome.

"Yes I was careful," said Leko in his post-fight interview, "I used to be more aggressive but now that I'm older I can fight more cleverly. But don't underestimate me, I'm 32 and this is my time, this is my year to win the Grand Prix!"

K-1's only four-time Champion, the 41 year-old Dutch kickboxer Ernesto "Mr. Perfect" Hoost, came out of semi-retirement to fight here. "There is for me no other option," said Hoost beforehand, "than to take the chance, give 100%, and try to make a very good ending to a very good career." In his incredible drive for five WGP titles, Hoost's first hurdle was this year's Asia GP Champion, karate stylist Yusuke Fujimoto of Japan.

http://www.sportzblitz.net/international-kickboxer/forumpics/k1-osaka06/Hoost Fujimoto.JPG

Fujimoto did not appear intimidated by his storied opponent, and used his right effectively through the first. Hoost sent in the occasional low kick but otherwise looked tentative. In the second, again, Fujimoto was there with the fists, pumping in a series of unanswered body blows. Hoost started the third with some spark, firing three low kicks, and just missed with the follow-up punches. Late in the round, as Fujimoto came in with a left punch, Hoost quickly blocked and countered. With both fighters off-balance, Hoost caught Fujimoto on the top of the leg with a low kick. The two men tumbled to the mat, and it was the wincing Fujimoto who did not get up. The Japanese fighter couldn't beat the count, and finally limped out of the ring only as Hoost hoisted a trophy in celebration of his qualification for the Final.

Next up, Japanese Seidokaikan stylist Musashi, who was fighting in front of his hometown Osaka crowd, took on Chalid "Die Faust" of Germany, who won the USA GP in Las Vegas this April.

[HAMMER]

A sprightly start, the two light on their feet, trading punches and kicks alike. Die Faust got the right through a couple of times, while Musashi had plenty of power on his low kicks. In the second round Die Faust stayed with the punches, scoring with a left straight and bringing the right across increasingly well. Musashi threw punches here but could not find his distance or sustain attacks. And so it was up to Musashi to do it in the third -- but Die Faust didn't give him the chance. The German had a high connection percentage with the fists, while Musashi, whose right eye was now swollen shut, tried again and again but couldn't find the target with his high kicks. Die Faust might have pulled back at this point, but did not relent, punching for the points until the final bell. Two judges scored him ahead, while one saw Musashi as the winner. The majority decision was greeted politely by the crowd, who had to be heartbroken -- by both their hometown fighter's loss and by the sad fact that no Japanese fighter had qualified for the Tokyo Dome Final.

http://www.sportzblitz.net/international-kickboxer/forumpics/k1-osaka06/Musashi Die Faust.JPG

Said Die Faust afterward: "There is no better training team than at my gym [Golden Glory]. The way we train is harder than our fights, the way we spar, everyday there is the possibility of a knockout! Musashi is a very good fighter but I was ready, we trained to damage him, and I was ready to go for five rounds if I had to. I am happy that the judges made the correct judgment after three rounds, and I look forward to the Tokyo Dome!"

The Main Event was a battle of power versus size, as kickboxing tough guy Jerome LeBanner (190cm/6'3";120kg/265lbs) of France stepped in against the gargantuan former Silium wrestler Hong-Man Choi (218cm/7'2";163kg/360lbs) of Korea.

There were questions in the days leading up to the event about whether LeBanner would make it to Osaka, and he almost didn't. The fighter is starring in "Asterix aux Jeux Olympiques," a movie now in production in France with a cast that also includes Gerard Depardieu and Zinedine Zidane. There were issues regarding contracting and insurance, but LeBanner benefited from an intervention by the influential actor Alain Delon and was permitted to come to Japan. However, Air France flight delays then further conspired to threaten his participation. LeBanner finally arrived in Osaka mere hours before the fight, and was whisked directly from the airport to the venue.

http://www.sportzblitz.net/international-kickboxer/forumpics/k1-osaka06/Choi LeBanner.JPG

Showing no signs of jet lag, LeBanner fought a smart first, darting in under Choi's reach to deliver low kicks before rapidly retreating. The speedy sortie strategy was countered by Choi in the second with the distance-creating front kick, but a persistent LeBanner snuck in regardless and valiantly mixed it up with his much larger adversary. Choi pulled the knee up in the third but LeBanner's evasion saved him. The clashes here were spirited, Choi good with an uppercut, LeBanner deking well, reprising the hit-and-run kicking attacks, leaning in with body blows and smacking in a right hook. At the end of it LeBanner was up on one judge's card. But there are three judges, and the other two scored a draw -- so the bout went to a tiebreaker round.

Again, a thrilling bit of combat, Choi in with a right straight punch but misfiring again with the knee, LeBanner circling, taunting even, good again with low kicks and a right straight punch. Judges scored it unanimously now in favor of the Frenchman.

[HAMMER]

LeBanner was in a great mood post bout and -- this may come as a relief to Monsieur Delon -- had not a scratch on him. "Preparing for this fight was hard," he said, "because I couldn't find a sparring partner that big in France. He is dangerous, his knees are already almost at the level of my head, he's not human!" joked LeBanner. "But he's a good guy and I like him, he's very tough, maybe the strongest guy in K-1, and he has hard bones -- when I kicked him, it hurt my leg! I'm sure with more experience, in two years no one will be able to knock him out!"

With the '06 K-1 World GP final eight now determined, a draw will be held Monday October 2 at Fuji Television's studios to determine the Tokyo Dome matchups.

http://www.sportzblitz.net/international-kickboxer/forumpics/k1-osaka06/Bernardo.JPG

Tonight's event also featured an emotional retirement ceremony for LeBanner's old nemesis Mike Bernardo. The South African boxer spent time at the K-1-supported booth of Save the Children -- a non-governmental organization active in more than 100 countries and dedicated to improving health and education for needy children. Bernardo later appeared center ring to address his fans: "We have a lot of memories together," he said, speaking in Japanese, "memories that I will never forget. Thank you, and please, never forget me."

http://www.sportzblitz.net/international-kickboxer/forumpics/k1-osaka06/Bernardo with Save the Children.JPG

The K-1 World GP 06 Final Elimination attracted a crowd of 10,387 to the Osaka Jo Hall and was broadcast nationwide in Japan on the Fuji TV Network

[Lucy Tui]

:)Great read K1 elimination bouts it is sad to not have Ray Sefo in the top 8, I remember when he was in his first K1GP I went over to support him and my life changed from that day on in kickboxing. Also to have no Oceania representing not to worry Paul I am sure you will get another opportunity.
Regards
Lucy Tui
Ps* It is not the same without Ray in K1GP he has represented Oceania for years. He has a huge fan base in Japan. <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

[Mojoman]

No Sefo..bugger, I was hoping he'd go deep in this years Final.
Sting's fight went about how I expected too. Unfortunately for Sting he was up against a real up and coming fighter in K-1 who's style probably wasn't good for Paul.
The Badr Hari shows rolls on..

"If you change the way you look at things..what you look at changes"

[Hironaka]

Maybe Sefo should have actually ****ing done something and he might have been in the final 8

[Hironaka]

*waits for excuses*

[samuaythai]

thnx hammer shame about both our oceania reps but there is always next year<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

[sniper]

dont be suprised if sefo still gets in. remember a few years back when semmy had a mysterious lawn bowls accident that allowed hoost back in the 8.
i will take semmy if a lobster pool starts hehehehe

[Hironaka]

quote:
dont be suprised if sefo still gets in. remember a few years back when semmy had a mysterious lawn bowls accident that allowed hoost back in the 8.
i will take semmy if a lobster pool starts hehehehe




I was sure that Schilt injury was a result of Nogueira's trademark triangle choke he applied to him at Pride 23. Regardless, I agree with your point and can definitely see something changing before the Finals.

[Kiwi Sting]

Hironaka, I agree with you bro. He took it too easy and seemed as if he thought he could rely on a KO shot that never came.

Sad about Paul too but he didnt really change much, he never stepped up. He did have some nice combos but nothing exciting, he kept his right hand down (as per usual) but Glaube capitalised on it and picked him to peices.

My pick for the GP at the moment is for Glaube Feitosa but it looks as if he is up against Ruslan first. Note how both Ruslan and Glaube had Fai (Team Sefo) working their corners. I would say that Fai and Jayson are gonna be with Glaube due to the loyalty but thats a nasy (but craft) match.

I also think that Ray will be on te card on a Superfight as Musashi was beaten too and K1 cant have a show without a Japanese fighter with a big marketing ploy.

-----------------------------------
Accept the things we cannot change and have the courage to change the things we can.

[Voice]

c'mon Shiv...comments on Sefo please??? What was he thinking? Why does every fight have to be about ego rather than having enough grey matter to do the job as quickly as possible.

Hoost was in very high spirits last night. He looked fit and certainly has to be a chance against the opposition in this year's final.

-----------------------------
The greatest literary invention is without doubt the spellchecker. Yet by far the biggest users are the literate. Go figure.

[Action Jackson]

Sniper what are you talking about lobsters for.

Did you forget to serve some lobsters?

Almost a year ago now

Sorry but it ****s me when people don’t honor there lobsters and talk about committing to another lobster pool.

Correct me if I am wrong

Do you only pay when you win?

iam happy to take it all back.

Cheers

Action Jackson

[Hitman]

Sniper why dont you lose a few kilos and fight in k1 max??? You wont make it past your first opponent, but give it a go anyway.

The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

[sniper]

action jackson send me ur details to my white sniper address mate. i dont have access to my hotmail as it is used by other people as well. i will be back in the country in nov and of course will honor my bet.
hitman, how bout u jump in the ring and stop talking tough behind the computer. i am not even gonna think about getting wound up by ur comments so u might as well start on someone else.

[Mojoman]

Just watched the Hari vs Karaev fight. Hari has reason to be pissed..on slow mo, Karaev kicks him while he's on the ground. Ref should've picked that one up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hNVCZcHncI

"If you change the way you look at things..what you look at changes"

[Mojoman]

Just watched the Feitosa vs Sting fight again. Nothing wrong with Sting's offence. He scored well, nice combo's..without really troubling Feitosa. But IMO his defence let him down a bit. Feitosa kept either coming over his guard or kicking over his guard..it looked a little low.



"If you change the way you look at things..what you look at changes"

[Voice]

quote:Just watched the Hari vs Karaev fight. Hari has reason to be pissed..on slow mo, Karaev kicks him while he's on the ground. Ref should've picked that one up.

not quite right.
His arse nor gloves were on the ground. The rules of K1 were correctly observed Mojo. Couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke.

-----------------------------
The greatest literary invention is without doubt the spellchecker. Yet by far the biggest users are the literate. Go figure.

Edited by - voice on 03 Oct 2006 08:27:37

[Action Jackson]

Sniper could you email me please as i dont know the white sniper email adress.

my emails in my profile.

and thankyou

Cheers

Action Jackson

[Adambjjoz]

Yep. If you watch the Hari/Karaev video closely, you'll see that Hari's knees, gloves and butt never actually touch the floor untill after Karaev lands the last kik. Karaev was within the rules of K-1 when he kicked Hari.

[Hironaka]

I haven't said much because I can't be ****ed arguing, but I love it when a heel is on the receiving end of a controversial call and people get all pedantic about the 'official rules', however when it is a popular fighter it is all about ethics, respect and in-ring morals and the less popular fighter is lambasted for pulling out a cheap move.

The fact is that if it were Hari that kicked Ruslan in the same position, you would be all calling him a dog. However because the Hari-hate is so strong and the shoe was on the other foot (pardon the pun), Ruslan was within the rules and Hari is a *****.

[GoGo]

Sniper is in a K! max style tourament at his true weight where he gets to travel Europe fighting some world class fighters gaining INt recognition and experience so why should he sacrifice this and move to an unfamiliar weight where he will prob lose strength cutting the weight I'll never bag K1 but A1 looks to give people a good chance with varied weights previously if you were 78kg K1 would give you two options bulk up and fight heavyweight or cut down and fight at Max very limited so good on Tarik for being innovative and good on Chris for taking the bull by the horns and getting over there getting the job done.

Not even K1 allows you to fight so frequently in varied European nations!

Don't take a knife to a gun fight! So train harder than the next guy

[VipersDan]

Spot on Hironaka,

Hari reminds me of Mundine, stacks of talent but needs to just shut the f&ck up

One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble,
Not much between despair and esctasy,
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble,
I can feel the devil walking next to me

[Mojoman]

Agreed. IMO Hari was in a vulnerable position and unable to defend himself. Sure his ass or gloves may not have technically been on the ground but how does he fairly defend himself from that position?

It was a pity because it had the makings of a v.good fight. 2 guys who are the future of K-1. Hopefully we see them tangle again soon.

"If you change the way you look at things..what you look at changes"