Warriors Show Tao Centre Birmingham

With the ever vigilant eye of U.S.K.A Chief Coach Neil Kelly looking for events in which he can allow his well rehearsed light continuous team to further practice their skills it was brought to his attention that the Ist Warriors Open competition was to be held at the clubs Ying Yang Newtown Gym in Birmingham. Scheduled for August the 21st the event although small in size was managed with in a very competitant and able fashion. Situated in the host clubs well equipped and spacious gym the event offered a good competing location, plentiful warm up area and excellent facilities, along with a very acceptable viewing environment afforded to spectators. This and a warm friendly reception from event Co-ordinator Colin Glassford and his team all made for a very enjoyable day. The timing of the event meant that it had unfortunately coincided with not only the bank holiday but one of the cities major football derby’s, both which were going to restrict the number of participating club and fighters. Despite the a reduction in numbers the quality of both the show and the fights showcased on it were exceptional. In fact an observation of the day would be that due to a lesser more manageable entrant figure the 1st time promotion team were able to more easily asses the attributes and future draw backs a second larger show may have. This second show is one U.S.K.A. would most definitely attend given the success of this preliminary event.
Notable U.S.K.A. fighters are as ever hard to choose however Adam Atherleys performance was very pleasing having been matched with a very competent fighter from Dale Woods Jesters Gym. This match was deemed a draw by referee Mr Bob Taggart and benefited from an impressive display from two very able youngsters leaving the prospect of a rematch in October being very likely. Other notable performances on the day came from Reiss Larvin with victory over Oldham’s Robert Sidwell, Tommy Collett with an excellently controlled display against an opponent no less than thirty yes 30Kg heavier than himself, Tyler Shakespeare notching up his 17th straight win in U.S.K.A. colours and Qasim Nisar who despite being well overmatched held his own a fight that saw him prove to any would be doubters he can mix it well above his weight and at top level to boot. Overall impressions were that the Warriors tournament will be welcomed and very worthwhile addition to the expanded light continuous fight circuit here in the Midlands.
Results were as follows.
Demos for
Tommy Collett x2, Qasim Nisar, Haroon Gulfraz x2, Hakeem Farooq, Stacey Richards, Jake Richards
A close decision went against Haroon Khan with draws going to Adam Atherley and Haris Khan.
Wins were achevied by Ridwan Khan, Reiss Larvin and Tyler Shakespeare.