BRITISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
AND EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS
2006
AT
FOX HOLLIES LEISURE CENTRE BIRMINGHAM ON
SUNDAY 29TH OCTOBER 2006
With the amateur side
of ISKA UK under new management and given the disappointing
last British Championships all eyes were on Fox Hollies Leisure
Centre in Acocks Green Birmingham for this years event that
would also double up as qualifiers for the European Championships
in Hungary in April next year.
Gold and SIlver medalists in each division would be guaranteed
qualification for positions in the Great Britain team to represent
their country in the 2007 Championship.
With two rings for the light continuous and two matted areas
for the semi contact and forms with dedicated officials for
each it has to be said that first impressions were good and
100% improvement on last years organisation.
The busy turn out and variety in opposition looked promising
and the ISKA UK team of officials and representatives dealt
with the weigh in and registration process in a very efficient
and professional way.
A modest team of nine USKA fighters turned out in an attempt
to qualify with the usual band of USKA support to hopefully
cheer them to victory.
In the Under 12 years -35kg category first 9 year old USKA competitor
Haris Khan found himself without opposition and as a result
received automatic qualification. To give him a fight on the
day he was matched against another fighter who found herself
in the same position of being in a category on her own in the
form of Lion's Den Gym's Fayza Khota.
Fayza would have a 3 year age advantage and 5kg weight advantage
over Haris and it would be seen more as a demonstration type
bout because of the weight and age differences.
Final
Haris Khan (USKA) Vs
Fayza Khota (LIONS DEN GYM)
Given Fayza's massive height and reach advantage over him
Haris was told to try and make the fight close quarter and
not allow the taller girl to use her range effective. This
however was easier said than done given that he also was conceding
alot of weight to the Lions Den fighter. Haris staying close
trying to smother Fayza's work made for a messy bout with
him doing well but Fayza's cleaner kicks tallying up enough
points to win a surprisingly close decision on the clickers.
Winner: Fayza Khota
Next up for the team
in the Under 12 years -30kg category was 8 year old Noor Muhammed.
Noor in his first bout of the day would face a fighter he had
previously beaten earlier on in the year but an improved fighter
since then in Matlock Jesters Liam Firth.
Semi Final
Noor Muhammed (USKA) Vs
Liam Firth (JESTERS)
A much improved Liam starts strong putting Noor under pressure
with strong punch combinations. Noor responds well mixing his
punches and kicks up but poor balance sees him pick himself
up of the floor on more than one occasion raising the question
of what would the judges be scoring.
Noor is turning his head when Liam attacks and it is adding
to his balance problem and also looking very negative. Things
are not looking good for the USKA fighter.
The fight finishes and a disappointing performance from Noor
has cost him as Liam is named the winner.
Winner: Liam Firth
Fighting off for the
third place position and a Bronze medal Noor would now be pitched
in against the son of former World Champion Chris McNeish from
the peacock kickboxing gym. Christian McNeish had looked like
a good technician in his first fight narrowly missing out on
the win the brother of Noor's victor Joe Firth.
Third Place
Fight Off
Noor Muhammed (USKA) Vs
Christian McNeish (PEACOCK KICKBOXING)
Noor again does not start well, turning his head on the offence,
pushing out his technique and looking off balance and vulnerable.
After a break in the action when Noor's glove comes off he mounts
the better of the pressure scoring with a few stray head kicks
but the fight is very scrappy and hard to score.
There is alot of wrestling, alot of falling off balance and
alot of wild technique from both fighters and as the bell rings
it is up in the air on who is deserving of the decision.
It seems the few head kicks are enough to push Noor in front
and he is awarded the win in another disappointing performance
from him and one he will need to improve on despite getting
the decision.
Winner: Noor Muhammed
All aside at last USKA
was off to winning ways and it was now time for 9 year old Haroon
Khan to try and keep the winning streak going in the Under 12
years -40kg category.
Haroon matched against 9 year old Curtis Jones from Vision gym
was out with something to prove after losing his last to fights
by the narrowest of margins in fights that could have just as
easily gone the other way one of which was to the very same
Curtis Jones.
Semi Final
Haroon Khan (USKA) Vs
Curtis Jones (VISION)
A fired up Haroon was fast out of the blocks with excellent
combinations of punches and kicks not allowing Curtis the time
to pick up his good legs.
Pressure was going to be the key here and Haroon was following
the script keeping it on.
Haroon is relentless in his attack and although Curtis is throwing
good shots they are all with him going backwards that is making
them less effective and eye catching.
Both fighters are tired but when Haroon throws, he throws in
combinations of fours and five's in opposed to Curtis's single
shots.
Just when it seems to be all going Haroon's way Curtis fires
of a beautiful spinning kick to Haroon's face that shows him
he is still there and very much still in it to win it.
It is too little to late though as the bell rings and the constant
work rate and pressure secures the win and place in the final
for Haroon.
Winner: Haroon Khan
These two are both up
and coming Champions and i'm sure they will meet again sometime
in the near future hopefully in some sort of title match up.
So it was onto the final now where Haroon would face another
team Vision fighter Ben Humphreys. Ben had looked good in his
first bout and it was shaping up to be a really good final for
the Championship.
Final
Haroon Khan (USKA) Vs
Ben Humphreys (VISION)
The same tactics were instructed to be used in Haroon's second
fight given that they had worked so well in the first and also
that he was up against a fighter from the same gym as his first
opponent.
Ben had a good lead leg but was not backing it up and Haroon
was countering well off it again in combination of threes and
fours clocking up the points.
Haroon is moving in scoring and out without getting hit and
is building up a nice little lead that Ben is going to struggle
to catch. He is now starting to look a little overwhelmed.
Round 2 and Haroon continues where he left off, growing in confidence
and working his fakes and movement to find his openings.
Haroon is looking very comfortable now, in total control and
Ben looks to have run out of ideas to stop the rot and turn
things around.
Haroon mixes it up with spins, cobra's and excellent movement
and cruises to the final bell.
A career best performance and fight of the day so far from Haroon
earn him the win.
Winner: Haroon Khan
Haroon with the first
of the days Gold medals had performed very well and kept the
winning streak going for the USKA team. He was hoping that older
brother Ridwan could do the same. The pressure was on 11 year
old Ridwan though because both of his younger siblings Haris
and Haroon had already qualified and would be going to Hungary.
Ridwan looked to have a tough division in front of him in the
Under 12 years -45kg category.
His first fight was against Dorian Kiasniqi from Peacock gym
and he would be giving away 5kg in weight.
Semi Final
Ridwan Khan (USKA) Vs
Dorian Kianiqi (PEACOCK KICKBOXING)
Inspired by his brothers tactics Ridwan starts the same moving
forward first and putting together fast combinations of punches
and kicks catching his opponent cold.
Ridwan is looking really sharp. His defence solid and offence
controlled and measured in a way we have not seen from him before.
He is working his fakes well to open Dorian up and is hitting
him with a brilliant variety of technique.
Another career best performance and it seems like those Khan
boys are really improving as Ridwan get the decision and also
moves on to final of the competition.
Winner: Ridwan Khan
So a very good first
win for Ridwan but there was still a mountain to climb in his
final match up matched against a fighter 6kg heavier that had
beaten the very tough Martin Phillips in his first fight. Martin
had previously beaten Ridwan so the form book suggested that
it was going to be an uphill fight for Ridwan.
The fighter was 12 year old Kieran Lomax from the Black Cobra
gym.
Final
Ridwan Khan (USKA) Vs
Kieran Lomax (BLACK COBRA GYM)
Straight away it was apparent that Kieran was a good mover
but Ridwan seemed to have the better timing, throwing less
but landing more clocking up the points.
Ridwan is cutting off the ring well stopping his mans movement
and it seems he is less confident when pinned down mainly
covering up and not throwing as much offence.
Kieran's early movement seems to have tired him out somewhat
and as the bell rings it is Ridwan that is very much in control.
Round 2 and if Ridwan's fitness holds out it and Kieran doesn't
pull anything spectacular out of the bag the family could
be looking at another Gold medal.
Sensing he is behind Kieran opens up with a jumping side kick
that just drops short.
The first half of the round sees Kieran working hard, throwing
alot more than in the first round and matching Ridwan's scoring
shots.
The round however is one of two half and as he tires Ridwan
again steps up the pressure putting his shots together to
break away on points again.
The fight ends and a much closer round it has to be said sees
the gap close but not enough to make a difference to the score
cards as Ridwan is crown Champion.
Winner: Ridwan Khan
Another Gold and another
qualification for USKA and the Khan clan.
It was time for another Khan to take to the ring now (no relation),
Fresh of his victory from the night before at Walsall Town Hall
Azad 'The Wrath Of' Khan would be stepping up a weight division
in an attempt to again qualify and secure his place for Hungary
and a chance to defend his ISKA European Title in the 13-17
year old -55kg category.
Azad matched in his first fight against AFK's Matthew Aldhed
would have to give away 7kg weight but was unfazed at the job
at hand and was eager to get down to business.
Semi Final
Azad Khan (USKA) Vs
Matthew Aldhed (AFK)
Although Azad was probably the lightest in his division at
only 49kg he looked the strongest.
Matthew looked quite wirey and dare i say it frail. Azad's
confident swagger was probably not making things any easier
for him either.
Azad can fight going forward or going backwards but given
his strength there was less chance of him getting disqualified
going backwards fighting on the counter attack so those are
the tactics he was told to use.
Azad skilfully evaded Matthew's attacks picking him off with
hurtful counters and looked every bit the reigning European
Champion.
Azad's defence is Masterful, slipping, side stepping and leaning
out the way of shots by inches in a display USKA's defensive
master Phil Richards would be proud of.
Matthew was up against it and in fairness to him we did not
get to see how good he was or could have been due to Azad's
superiority in the contest.
The bell rings and the formality of Azad's hand is raised
as he secures his place in the final.
Winner: Azad Khan
The final saw Azad matched
against another AFK fighter. Sam Carr would only have a 5kg
weight advantage but as Azad just showed weight advantage don't
mean a thing if it can't find it's target.
Final
Azad khan (USKA) Vs
Sam Carr (AFK)
Azad starts the round and within the first 20 seconds lans seven
unanswered scoring body and head kicks without answer by Sam.
The writing is on the wall even this early in the bout and Azad
again starts to work the counter picking off his man as he is
coming forward.
Sam can't seem to hit and Azad can't seem to miss, hitting at
will and a mile ahead on the score cards.
The round ends and the only way Azad is not going to win this
fight is by him getting himself disqualified or by someone turning
on the fire alarm and them having to evacuate the ring.
Round 2 and Azad picks up where he was, sticking and moving
and in total control.
It is looking all too easy for Azad now and his footwork is
phenomenal and looks like a cross between something Muhammad
Ali and Naseem Hamed knocked up.
Throwing the counter right hand costs Azad a point with Sam
falling onto it but all of this seems immaterial with Azad being
so far ahead on points at this stage in the contest.
A right round kick to the face of Sam starts his nose bleeding
and the fight is stopped as he sees the medic for attention.
The medic feels that it is unwise for the contest to go any
further and instructs the referee to end it there. After discussion
with the chief referee it is decided that the kick was not excess
power and as a result it would go to the cards with the contest
being scored up to this point to find a winner.
As expected Azad gets his hand raised as the winner in a faultless
performance.
Winner: Azad Khan
Next ISKA British and
European Champion Mark 'The Killer Kicker' Sedgwick was called
to the ring and told that no one was there to contest the championship
with him meaning he received automatic qualification.
He as reigning British Championship was awarded the title again
for another year and his plans remain intact to once again attempt
the double winning the European Championships in Hungary in
April next year.
The Gold's just keep coming and things are looking good with
three of USKA's most experienced junior fighters still to compete.
Next Up Jake 'Rattlesnake' Richards the WKA English Champion
would face the Midland FIST champion Featherstone's Michael
Boulton in the 13-17 year old -59kg category.
Semi Final
Jake Richards (USKA) Vs
Michael Boulton (FEATHERSTONE)
Jake starts like a bullet from a gun and straight away dictates
a fast pace.
Jake is a master at controlling his opponents with multiple
kicks to set up his boxing and Michael seems to having trouble
with this and is struggling to get his own shots off.
Jake has the centre of the ring and Michael is fighting with
his back against the rope that is making it even more difficult
for him to make his impression felt on the USKA fighter.
Michael is a good fighter but i don't think he had ever faced
someone with the strength, work rate and kicking ability of
Jake before and this seemed to make the difference.
The fight ends and Jake has his hand raised with a convincing
first round win.
Winner: Jake Richards
Onto the final now where
Jake will meet Ying Yang's Reece Stokes. A big ask for Reece
at only 12 years old and giving away 3 years to 15 year old
Jake.
Final
Jake Richards (USKA) Vs
Reece Stokes (YING YANG)
Jake knew he had the advantage in every department against Reece
and one thing that is brilliant about him as he has shown many
times before in demonstration bouts is his ability to tone his
game down in order not to hurt his opponent. His control is
second to none and he would endeavour to beat Reece technically
rather than physically in the interest of good sportsmanship.
The bout as expected seen Jake have it all his own way. Reece
stuck in there but the only thing that seen the fight not being
stopped due to the outclassed rule was Jake's superb control
and the fact that Reece at no point was in any danger of being
hurt.
Another British Champion and another place booked on the flight
to Europe!
Winner: Jake Richards
Gold again! And it is
time for Qasim 'The Dream' Nisar to contest a straight final
in the 13-17 year old -63kg category against 17 year old Tariq
Khan from the Ying Yang gym.
Qasim is the current ISKA British and European Champion and
it would take a very good Tariq indeed to upset Qasim's plans
of winning and going on to retain his title in Hungary next
year.
Qasim had also fought the night before in Walsall winning by
second round TKO but was not feeling tired and was eager to
put on a show two days running.
Final
Qasim Nisar (USKA) Vs
Tariq Khan (YING YANG)
Round 1 saw Qasim using skill and movement to negate any of
Tariq's work. Qas taking a leaf out of Azad's book controlled
the distance well with excellent footwork and evasions mixing
in timed counter attacks with his usual brand of showmanship
to keep the crowd happy at the same time.
Mid way through the round Qas had taken the whole fight out
of Tariq with him scared to throw for fear of being picked off
on the counter attack.
In the corner Qas was told to cut down on the antics and show
the crowd exactly why he was been touted as being one of if
not the best cadet fighter in the country.
The round began and Qas got straight down to business, landing
more in multiples now and looking very much the governor.
There would again be a case to cite the outclassed rule here
but because of Qasim's control of technique the referee must
have again give his opponent the benefit of the doubt.
When things seemed like they couldn't get any bleaker for Tariq
they did, Qas throws and lands a beautifully timed forward spinning
jump scissor axe kick that catches him on the top of the headguard
and just highlights the difference in class between these two
lads.
straight after Qas goes arial again with a 360 jump spinning
back kick that again clips him on the top of his head.
Qasim finishes the round with some awesome punch combinations
with blistering speed that even looked to have the referee confused
mistaking the speed for power shots which they clearly were
not.
The bell rings and the bout to Tariq's delight is over.
Once again British Champion and earning his place to defend
his European title next year...
Winner: Qasim Nisar
No surprises there then,
Qasim couldn't lose sleep the way he's going at the moment.
With one fighter left to do battle we already have a very impressive
haul of medals but it would be the icing on the cake if 14 year
old Reiss Larvin can pull out all the stops to also claim the
Gold in the 13-17 year old -67kg category.Reiss in his first
match is matched against the very decent Sam Beasley from Featherstone
Kickboxing gym.
Semi Final
Reiss Larvin (USKA) Vs
Sam Beasley (FEATHERSTONE)
An aggressive start from Sam which is very quickly neutralised
by Reiss's aggressive resistance. Not many kids Reiss's age
and weight can compete with him for strength and Sam found this
out early with Reiss turning his aggressive start around on
him.
Reiss trying to control the fight at range to avoid a tear up
can't resist the temptation and mixes it up at close quarter
which has the referee step in and call both fighters for their
power.
With Reiss definitely the more technical of the two he was breaking
away and showing the difference fighting with that little bit
of distance between him and Sam picking the Featherstone lad
off with nice body and head kicks.
Reiss even showed a different side that we don't usually see
on the defence with the hands down slipping and evading rather
than just walking through the fire in a give one to take one
sort of way.
The bout ends with Reiss on top hitting on the counter and conserving
energy that he might need in the final.
A worthy winner in Reiss and another finalist for USKA.
Winner: Reiss Larvin
One more fight for Reiss
now to take the Gold and it is against the strong looking 15
year old Curtis Porter from The Scorpion Kickboxing academy.
Reiss confident as always knows what needs to be done and is
in no mood to let the chance of becoming British ISKA Champion
slip through his fingers.
Final
Reiss Larvin (USKA) Vs
Curtis Porter (SCORPION ACADEMY)
Somebody should have told Curtis because he started the round
aggressively as did Sam before him. True to form Reiss met fire
with fire and pounded back turning his man against the ropes
and drilling in some hard punches to the head.
Curtis however was not easily deterred and keeps coming, not
scoring but applying pressure making Reiss fight at an uncomfortably
high pace.
Again, Reiss is the master at distance and as the pace drops
from Curtis he is getting caught coming in and is starting to
look a little redundant.
Reiss drawing his mans lead with fakes walks him onto a beautiful
lead leg side kick to the body that send him down and Reiss
has found the kick to keep Curtis from rushing in again.
Reiss has slowed Curtis right down now and is picking him off
every time he comes in.
Curtis has that unpredictable style that will hit you on the
break and Reiss has to keep his wits about him in order not
to make any costly mistakes.
With good use of the jab and the lead leg kick to position his
man Reiss finishes the round in a commanding position and Curtis
looks very tired as he makes his way back to his corner.
Round 2 and it is back to that lead leg side kick to the body
for Reiss to slow down any initial rush from Curtis at the start
of the round. It again works a treat and sends his man toppling
to the canvas.
It is all Reiss from mid to long range but in close quarter
Curtis throws haymakers that has Reiss responding in kind and
drawing him into a harder fight than it needs to be.
Curtis looked spent now and Reiss is hitting him with smart
singles from long range making Curtis miss by a good margin.
The bell rings and referee says break and once again curtis
throws a big haymaker that luckily for him misses Reiss. Reiss
impressively shrugs his shoulders, doesn't retaliate and makes
his way back to his corner knowing that it is job done.
An impressive victory in a hard fought physical contest goes
to Reiss.
Winner: Reiss Larvin
So, an impressive haul
of medals standing at 7 Gold's, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze but what
was even more impressive was the nature of the victories. All
emphatic and all beyond question and doubt with each USKA competitor
shining through as great talents.
So potentially 8 USKA fighters will travel to Hungary with the
ISKA GB team in April in an attempt to better last years tally
of three European Champions.
You've got to say they have a fantastic chance of doing that
on their present form and i'm sure will be pulling out all the
stops in their training in an attempt to make their dreams a
reality.
You've heard it before and you'll here it again. This time it
really is very true........
The futures bright.....you'll have to wear shades....The future's
USKA!
