GOLDSTAR OPEN
SUNDAY 2nd APRIL 2006
ASTON VILLA LEISURE CENTRE, BIRMINGHAM

With the USKA team trying to stay busy in the 2006 season it was decided that the next outing would be at the Aston Villa Leisure centre for the Goldstar Open.
A small team set out due to the fact that we also had an evening event in Featherstone where again two of the USKA crew would be fighting in International matches.
An early start left us initially with disappointment at the realisation that there would not be a boxing ring for our lads to fight in as clearly advertised in the event poster above.
After some negotiation and suitable compensation in regard to the entree fee it was decided that we would make the best of a bad situation and still compete.

The following is a brief description the Uska performances on the day.

Murdock Kellyman
ROUND ONE

Murdock in his first bout took on an opponent from the E.C.K.A club in Wolverhampton.
Murdock giving away alot of age and weight having have stepped up from the cadet category due to poor entrees in that division.
The bout started close but Murdock soon asserted himself and scored the more effective kicks to power himself to a winning decision.

A kellyman kick is parried by he opponent.

Murdock throws his trade mark Axe kick to good effect.

Onto the next round for Murdock against his ECKA opponent.

ROUND TWO

Murdock in round two was matched against team mate Qasim 'The Dream' Nisar who had also had to step up from the Cadets division because of lack of entrees.
In a nothing in it fight / spar Qasim was awarded the decision after extra time leaving Murdock having to settle for a Bronze medal on this occasion.

Qasim and Murdock in the mix

The Dream nicks a close spar

 

Tommy 'Gun' Collett

ROUND ONE

Tommy as with Murdock and Qasim found himself fighting out of his category in order for him to get a fight on the day.
In the first round of the competition Tommy gave away a little weight and three years in age when matched against Ying Yang's Helli Hutchinson.
Helli started strong with a non stop sprint of techniques.
Tommy was waiting far too long and was falling victim to the much higher workrate from Helli.
Tommy scoring on occasion in between the flurries from Helli was not really in the fight at all and to the surprise of everyone there the judges after the bout had scored it a draw.
This quite rightly was over ruled by the chief centre judge and the decision was awarded to the ying yang man who would go on to face Qasim 'The Dream' in the final
Tommy same as Murdock would have to settle for a bronze medal in what was one of his more disappointing performances.

Bad day at the office for the Gun

Qasim 'The Dream' Nisar
ROUND ONE

Qasim found himself with the biggest weight disadvantage of three in this division weighing in a lean mean 60kg. The heaviest man in the division weighing in 15kg heavier at 75kg.
As you have read already Qasim went through to the final after getting the decision over Murdock in the semi final and was now due to face Tommy's victor in Helli Hutchinson.
FINAL
We were very mindful that Helli was carrying best part of a 10kg weight advantage and three year age advantage over Qasim and that Qasim would have to go into the eye of the storm in order for him to win the final battle of the day.
The bout started with Helli trying to impose the same tactics that had seen him successful against Tommy. Qasim however was ready and even though he was lighter opted to fight fire with fire and trade it out in the centre of the mat.
After the first couple of exchanges it was evident that Qasim was the fitter and stronger of the two and Helli was struggling for breath and was in survival mode for the rest of the contest.
Helli's fire had gone out and 'The Dream' had only just started to cook on bas mark 5!
The winner with no doubt and no complaints from the Ying Yang team was awarded to Qasim 'The Dream' Nisar.

I didn't think there was anyone as tall as Qas! The Dream and Hutchinson square up for their final fight.

Cracking right hand from Qasim lands clean.

When his hands go down you better watch out. Qas stalks his man down.

Another jab from Qasim finds it's target.

The winner (again).....Qasim 'The Dream' Nisar

Murdock, Qasim and Tommy celebrate their successes

Jay 'Sugar Foot' Collett
ROUND ONE
Jay Collett in his first round of the competition was matched against a young lad about the same size as him in a category that had some really big lads in.
Jay got going quick and although allowing his opponent to push him back scored well enough on the counter attack to get the unanimous nod from the judges and have his hand raised at the end of the round.
Onto the final now for Jay to meet Martin Phillips from eclipse kickboxing.

Jay reaches in the long jab.

'Sugar Foot' cruises through to the final.

ROUND TWO
Round 2 had Jay matched against martin Phillips who weighing in at over 50kg had a massive 15kg advantage over young Jay.
How anybody, tournament organisers included can view or perceive this to be a fair match in light continuous is beyond me. I understand that there has to be some weight differences but 15kg? best part of 3 stone? Come on people!
Ok rant over, onto the fight.
Jay as you can imagine fighting on the back foot not able to hold of his heavier opponent.
Jay still looked far superior in technical ability and skill but was finding it difficult to mount any kind of offence due to the physical attributes of his opponent.
Amazingly as the bout was coming to an end and Martin began to tire it was Jay who was now scoring well but unfortunately not enough for him to catch up on the scorecards and change the tide.
The winner awarded to Phillips with Jay having to make do with a silver medal today.

Usmaan Ali Vs Mark 'The Killer Kicker' Sedgwick
DEMONSTRATION BOUT

Due to both Mark and Usmaan having no one in their categories it was decided that they both would take part in a demonstration bout with each other.
They both treated the crowd to a nice gel of technique and showed exactly why the USKA style of fighting has been so successful.
Control, finesse, kicking ability and class all were attributes shown by both USKA fighters in a very good demonstration.

A masterclass kicking display from Mark Sedgwick and Usmaan Ali.

Mark kicks, Usmaan blocks in their demonstration bout.

An excellent demonstration from two rising USKA stars.

Azad 'The Wrath of' Khan
FINAL

Azad continues in his comeback here in an interesting bout against former WUMA World Champion and former British title opponent 'Lethal' Leif Taggart
As an interesting point here Leif is the only opponent ever to have beaten Azad in one of his very early contests. Azad consequently beat Leif in the return in a great fight for the British title three years ago.
Leif after winning his category kindly decided to move up in weight to challenge Azad who unfortunately again had no one to fight in his division.
Leif has been very active on the competition circuit in opposed to Azad who has only just come back competing after over 18 months away from the game so we knew that there would be no time to shake of ring rust for Azad.
Azad started strong closing the mat down and forcing 'Lethal' to fight on the retreat knowing that he would have less success going backwards.
Scoring well like this Azad then decided to play the waiting game stepping off and hitting Leif on the counter attack as he moved forward.
Leif looked hesitant and Azad looked like he had not missed a day of competition over the last year and a half.
The fight continued in this same pattern and played itself out with no second guesses about who had took the decision.
The winner by unanimous judges decision and still well and truly on the road back Azad 'The Wrath of Khan'

World class action from Azad 'The Wrath of' Khan and 'Lethal' Leif Taggart

Both young warriors exchange their kicks.

Azad blitzes in a sprint punch combination on Leif.

Azad still has what it takes after his long lay off. Winner by unanimous decision.

Relentless' Reiss Larvin
ROUND ONE
Last competitor of the day from the USKA team and first fight back since he bout of flu and title challenge disappointment Reiss Larvin was up against a fighter from the West Midlands who to look at was not going to offer much opposition.
Never have truer words been spoken with 'Don't judge a book by it's cover' because this kid went out to try and ruff Reiss up big time from the bell. Heavy punches, hitting after the break, the whole 9 yards.
Anyone who knows Reiss however knows that if you wake the sleeping tiger you gonna get your ass bit.
Reiss responds in true 'Relentless' style piling on the pressure with the body kicks that had his opponent down and well and truly out.
Play with fire and you get burnt as they say!
The winner due to his opponent being unable to continue....'Relentless' Reiss Larvin.

Reiss picks his punches well in the first round of the competition.

After a body kick stoppage it is onto the final the meet the ECKA fighter.

FINAL
Reiss in the final was matched against an opponent from the E.C.K.A club in Wolverhampton who had in his earlier round out hustled and out muscled his very good opponent from Alf Love's W.K.A squad.
Reiss knew it was going to take brains as well as brawn to overcome his final battle of the day against his opponent who looked to have a considerable weight advantage over him.
The bout started with Reiss holding his own against the E.C.K.A man but not able to break away and put the gap between the two.
Reiss soon found the body kick and after bringing his mans hands up with the punches to the head finished every combination with a scoring kick to the body.
This was more than enough to secure the victory and a gold medal.
Winner to close the day on a high for the USKA contingent 'Relentless' Reiss Larvin.

A beautiful lead leg high side kick puts his man on the defensive.

Another one in the bag for the USKA team as Reiss secures his win.

It has to be said not the best of competitions but on the whole a good showing from the U.S.K.A team.
Let's see if the promises on the poster of an end of year competition abroad, Cover with a national magazine, Club sponsorship for the best club and Selected fighters for sponsorship are upheld or if like the promises of a ring for the light continuous to compete in are just indeed words on a piece of paper.