The IFK held its European Open Knockdown tournament in Samokov, Bulgaria over the weekend of the 29th and 30th of November 2014. The IKK sent two of its most experienced fighters. Senpai Dave King was entered in the mens Superheavyweights (+90kg) category and Senpai Aneta Meskauskiene was entered in the Womens Heavyweights (+65kg) category. Sensei Shane Lalor was there as a referee having travelled out a day earlier. We were staying in a Hotel in Borovets, a ski resort about 10km from the Venue.
Friday was taken up with medicals and weigh ins for Senpais Dave and Aneta. Sensei Shane attended the Referees and the Country Reps meetings. The fighting on the Saturday was the Juniors and Cadets. There were 3 Junior categories:
Aged 10 and 11
Aged 12 and 13
Aged 14 and 15
Within these categories the fighters were divided by Male and Female and also by weight meaning there were lots of categories and with almost 260 fighters from across Europe it was going to be a long day especially for the Referees and Judges. The fighting was fast and furious though there were the inevitable delays in getting the head gear and Body armor on the juniors. It was after eight O'Clock when the trophies were awarded to the very worthy winners.
Sunday was the turn of the Seniors and our two fighters. Senpai Dave was drawn against old foe Nikolai Maslennikov from Russia. They have fought twice before with Nikolai coming out on top both times courtesy of a decision. To say that Senpai Dave was eager to fight would be an understatement. Both fighters went toe to toe over four minutes with the decision going to Nikolai who went on to win the Tournament.
Senpai Aneta was next up and fought Kirsten Galatius Smith of the BKK in her opening fight. They have fought before with Senpai Aneta winning on decision. This time after a hard fought four minutes the decision once again went Senpai Anetas way.
Next up in the Semi Final she fought Mariya Panova of Russia. Again this went four minutes with the decision going to Aneta on weight. Aneta was now in her second final in Bulgaria having fought here in the KWU world Tournament final in 2013. Her opponent would be Svetlana Tuchkova from Russia. The first three minute round was even so they went a further two minutes. Twenty seconds from the end of the round Svetlana pulled a Jodan Hiza Geri from nowhere knocking down Aneta. To her credit she regained her fighting position immediately but with time running out she was unable to balance the scores. So another major tournament and another trophy for Aneta.
All that was left was the sayonara party and the trip home. Another successful tournament for the IFK and the IKK participants.
Osu
Shane
Friday was taken up with medicals and weigh ins for Senpais Dave and Aneta. Sensei Shane attended the Referees and the Country Reps meetings. The fighting on the Saturday was the Juniors and Cadets. There were 3 Junior categories:
Aged 10 and 11
Aged 12 and 13
Aged 14 and 15
Within these categories the fighters were divided by Male and Female and also by weight meaning there were lots of categories and with almost 260 fighters from across Europe it was going to be a long day especially for the Referees and Judges. The fighting was fast and furious though there were the inevitable delays in getting the head gear and Body armor on the juniors. It was after eight O'Clock when the trophies were awarded to the very worthy winners.
Sunday was the turn of the Seniors and our two fighters. Senpai Dave was drawn against old foe Nikolai Maslennikov from Russia. They have fought twice before with Nikolai coming out on top both times courtesy of a decision. To say that Senpai Dave was eager to fight would be an understatement. Both fighters went toe to toe over four minutes with the decision going to Nikolai who went on to win the Tournament.
Senpai Aneta was next up and fought Kirsten Galatius Smith of the BKK in her opening fight. They have fought before with Senpai Aneta winning on decision. This time after a hard fought four minutes the decision once again went Senpai Anetas way.
Next up in the Semi Final she fought Mariya Panova of Russia. Again this went four minutes with the decision going to Aneta on weight. Aneta was now in her second final in Bulgaria having fought here in the KWU world Tournament final in 2013. Her opponent would be Svetlana Tuchkova from Russia. The first three minute round was even so they went a further two minutes. Twenty seconds from the end of the round Svetlana pulled a Jodan Hiza Geri from nowhere knocking down Aneta. To her credit she regained her fighting position immediately but with time running out she was unable to balance the scores. So another major tournament and another trophy for Aneta.
All that was left was the sayonara party and the trip home. Another successful tournament for the IFK and the IKK participants.
Osu
Shane
RSS Feed