W.K.A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
QUALIFIERS
19TH FEBRUARY 2006

Following their success last year at the same competition that saw Tommy and Qasim earn their places to travel to Canada to compete in the WKA World Championships they once again travelled down to the George Carnell Leisure Centre in Manchester to compete in this years qualifiers.
Sean 'The Mighty' Quinn again and as usual at these events in the role of Cornerman and USKA coach for the day.

First up was Qasim drawn against local hero James 'Bucket' Cassey.
Both fighters had met before on the WKA circuit with Qasim winning without any real trouble or threat from Cassey so it was looking like a pretty easy first round for the dream compared to yesterdays first round match up with current World Champion Chris Collymore at the WAKO British championship and European championship qualifiers.

The fight starts with Qasim as usual putting the heat on his man and applying the pressure scoring well with his jab.
Both fighters are letting go fast and furious but nothing of note is really landing cleanly.
Qasim then breaks away with a clean straight leg round kick to the body and a flush snap round kick to the head.
The fight continues at a high pace and Qasim is landing the cleaner technique to keep his nose in front.
The round draws to a close and Qasim and the USKA corner are more than happy that they have done enough to seal the victory.
To the disgust of the USKA contingent, The decision is awarded to the Manchester lad and even James Cassey looks surprised that they have robbed Qasim of the decision and the chance to qualify.
Sean Quinn later quoted 'I have been to all these competitions and feel the judges make the USKA fighters work twice as hard for a win'
It is such a shame that the colour of your suit or who is standing behind you with the water bottle is the deciding factor in who gets the decision at some of these competitions.
No wonder certain individuals do not attend these competitions because of the 'it's not what you know it's who you know' mentality.

Next up was Tommy 'Gun' Collett fresh off yesterdays WAKO silver medal success.
Tommy and his opponent start aggressively but it is Tommy who is getting the better of the combinations with the cleaner head shots.
Tommy's opponent continues to push forward and Tommy is catching everything defensively on his arms.
Working the counter Tommy then starts to score with his potent jab but gets caught with a low kick to his groin that breaks his concentration and upsets his rhythm.
Refinding his composure Tommy finishes the round scoring well with his legs, first a front snap kick to the body followed by a lead round kick to the head on the bell.
A comfortable win for Tommy that sees him breeze through to round two of the competition.

In the second round and semi final of the competition Tommy and his opponent started strong knowing a win here would send them through to the final.
A very fast pace but no one really landing cleanly or getting the upper hand in the proceedings and the action getting scrappy as both fighters struggled to break through with their own success.
They stand toe to toe and the final bell sounds with nothing to separate the fighters. The decision can go either way.
The decision goes to Tommy's opponent with no complaints from the USKA man given that it was such a scrappy fight.
Tommy has to be content with a bronze medal but more importantly earns his right by qualifying to fight in the World Championships in Spain later in the year. Question is though if Tommy will choose to attend given that his partner in crime Qasim was deprived of the chance by putting it politely a terrible decision.

Watch this space!
Well done to both lads for once again representing USKA and yourselves to the max.

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