NEWS.....NEWS.....NEWS.....
Belgrade World Championships 2007
Light Contact Team WAKO GB
It was another early start at Heathrow airport for the WAKO light contact kickboxing team. After a pleasurable two hour flight, we arrived in Belgrade, in Serbia for the 16th WAKO World Kickboxing Championships. We had finally reached our destination for our weigh-ins at the stadium. For once, the team was in and out fairly smoothly with everyone making their weight. So for us, it was time to relax and catch up on some well needed sleep. As was the next day where we rested and did a bit of sightseeing.
The championships began with the opening ceremony with 109 countries represented for this 16th World Championships. After the ceremony, the competition began with 3 two 2 minute rounds under WAKO Light contact rules. To kick off the competition and for team GB was Audifax Kinga fighting Dejan Cepic for Croatia in the - 69kg. Unfortunately for us, Audifax wasnt on form on this occasion and was beaten in the 1st round of the competition.
Next up, new to the WAKO team, was Nicholas Gardener, in the mens - 79kg, taking on Mirzad Vukalic from Slovenia. Nicholas was on top form and won this fight 3-0 taking him into the next round, to face Ruslan Ishmakov from Russia the following day. Nick was clearly the stronger fighter in this fight, with better techniques and in the lead with 2 clean rounds under his belt. However, with 30 seconds left to go and being pushed off the mat in the 3rd round with the 4th exit, he was disqualified controversially.
Also fighting this day was Richard Phillips in the -94kg, and Andrew Gallagher in the 84kg both not quite making it through the quarter finals.
Next up in the competition, Barry McGinlay (mens -57kg) was up against Graf Clemens from Austria 3-0 giving GB another win taking Barry through to the quarter finals where unfortunately he met Dezso Debreczeni (Hungary), who was on his way to his 7th WAKO World Championship title. Next up, GB had a loss with Christian Thompson in the mens -74kg fighting Kieran Ryan. Also losing out to Ireland was Kevin Guy fighting against Anthony Fallon in the mens +94kg. At this low point, couple of the girls also lost out. These included Stephanie Toal up against Diana Campbell from Ireland in the +70kg and Louise Dixon against Trimmel Nicols from Austrian in the -65kg. Both of these bouts were close and could have either way, unfortunately not ours.
Staying with the girls, we did have some successes starting with Lucy Wolf first time out with the WAKO team fighting from Germany, Johana Schafberg in the -50kg. Lucy won this fight 2-1 taking her through to the quarter finals to meet Patrycja Kotlarz from Poland. Lucy won this fight decisively 3-0 putting her on the medal table and into the semi-finals where she met Reke Krempf from Hungary. For a while, we thought we would be going through to the finals with Lucy but it wasnt to be as Reke Krempf won this match and Lucy Wolf winning a WAKO bronze medal.
Next up for the ladies in the -70kg, was Diane Cameron fighting Austrias Binz Sandra. Diane also made us proud winning 2-1 taking us into the quarter finals where she lost out to Karin Edenius from Sweden but still brought home a well earned bronze medal.
Last but not least in the mens -89kg, was our very own WAKO European 2006 Champion, Gavin Williamson, back on track to improve on his last World silver medal. First in the firing line was Michal Sedlacek from Slovakia with Gavin winning 3-0. Next in the cross airs was Sebastino La Spina from Italy. Then, in the quarter finals, Gavin meets friend and foe from Austria, Prosic Juso who was determined to beat Gavin but failed, putting Gavin in the final and in reach of the gold medal. The final commenced with Gavin against Fabian Fingerhurt from Russia. After a very close 3 rounds, Fabian Fingerhurt got the decision and Gavin won another WAKO silver medal. Not being biased but we all thought it should have been Gavins gold.
Well done to all the medal winners: Lucy, Diane and Gavin and the rest of the Light Contact team who made this trip memorable and enjoyable. I would also like to thank for their help, Ted Wolf and John Morley! A big thank you to all the WAKO team!
Sensei Dwyer Evelyn.
Light Contact Team Coach
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WAKO British Championships
PLEASE CAL BACK SOON TO SEE A FULL REPORT ON THE WAKO BRITISH LIGHT CONTINUOUS SECTION FROM THE RECENT CHAMPIONSHIPS.
SEEN BELOW IS YOUNGSTER JORDAN WARING OF FALCON FIGHT ACADEMY WINNING ANOTHER LEG IN HIS CATEGORY. JORDAN WENT ON TO BECOME BRITISH CHAMPION THAT DAY!
CALL BACK SOON FOR REPORT AND MORE PICTURES!!!!!!!
