October 2003 Newsletter
by Sensei Martin Blakeway

BKBU Semi - Contact Fights Reviewed
15 Members of Chongshin Do took the 3 hour journey to a working mans club near Gatwick - Sussex. After registration there was little time to warm up before our first member was up for a fight!
First up was John Farrelley - John has been in the boxing ring many times including Full-Contact so he was no stranger to it and it showed as he convincingly won his bout with his usual "Going forward" attitude!
Next up was Adam Saunders - for his first fight of the day! -

Click images to enlarge

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Adam looses his first but pulls a great fight out the bag to secure the second!

His opponent was quick of the mark and didn't allow Adam to use his great kicking ability and he narrowly lost this bout.
Next up Phil Carter. Phil's superior kicking action scored him well ahead and he showed great control and technique that one day will see him in the Semi-Contact Titles - Phil wins well.
Next up Sensei Richard Barrett - he too is no foreigner to the boxing ring and notched up another convincing win over another Instructor from the "White Lotus" kickboxing club. Throughout the three rounds Richard showed great skill and technique that makes him one of our top kickboxers - We will see him return to Full-Contact in the new year! - Score so far ….. Chongshin Do 3 - Rest of the world 1

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Richard Barrett - takes the "White Lotus" Kickboxing coach apart in three rounds !

Next up was Sarah Fryer - she started really well, landing many punches but her opponent kept the fight at close range - taking the long kick of Sarah's out of the competition. She looses by a very small margin. Next in - one of our high kickers - Nathan Salmon - he moved well and controlled the fight landing many double kicks to his opponent - notches up another convincing win for Chongshin Do.

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Nathan Salmon wins his fight and Chris Farrelley wins his second fight in front of a huge crowd.

Back in the ring again is Adam for a second attempt when a match was not found for someone. This time Adam turned on the technique and won well - (Chongshin Do 5 - Rest of the World 2)
During these adult bouts the juniors were battling it out in another ring - Young Chris Farrelly (13yrs) was defeated by a taller opponent in the junior ring - (however he returns to win in the main ring later)

Then as the novice fighters finish - the day moves towards the BKBU semi-contact Titles -

Great respect to Sam Roe who jumped in at the last minute (only came to support her brother Dave and not expecting a fight at all!) The opponent she had was good, a worthy Title holder and Sam without the preparation needed for this kind of fight was beaten - however the crowd acknowledged Sam's last minute decision to fight to allow a fighter who had trained hard and travelled a long way the chance to fight at least! - Well done Sam

Another fighter had pulled out and a WCF (World Combat Federation) Middleweight Title was at stake -
I turned to James Eccles and said "here is your chance of a Title - take it"
James too had only come to watch and support our fighters - little did he think he would even get a fight - Now he had a chance to fight for the men's WCF Middle weight Title. Without the preparation for such a fight and as a stand in the expectant crowd was waiting for a walk over - instead they got a fantastic show of top quality kickboxing. The fight starts with both men showing great skill and technique. With the WCF rules - being all kick above the waist - the quality was A Class - both men showed they have what it takes to be a great fighter in the future.. These rules were great for James with his high kicking ability - James landed many high kicks followed by rallies of accurate punches. The three rounds all seemed to be James's - Even Soke was amazed at the result - James looses by a point ! Robbed (the worst decision all day!) -
at this point we should have a title coming home! - James was disappointed however knows he has the ability to bring a Title back to the camp - next year!

The last fight was young Chris who won convincingly, beating a kickboxer a few years his junior - however both showed good skill and technique - and Chris has notched another win for Chongshin Do - all in all a fantastic afternoon - with most of the fights going our way -
Consider this - we are not JUST a kickboxing club - and yet our fighters always do well and soon we will be holding some Titles in Kickboxing at our clubs - this shows the ability that our fighters can achieve outside the club situation. Well done and I am proud of everyone for their efforts and dedication.

Full-Contact Fights - Reviewed

Two of our top kickboxers were on the evening bill Dave Roe and Ben Vowles.
The evening show was a full house - the crowd was heaving and after the women's full-contact bout it was David Roe first in for Chongshin Do.
David Roe V Simon Evans (Gatwick Kickboxing)
Dave was nursing a two day old motor bike accident and had a few large grazes on his body arms and legs. Speaking to him just after the accident -nothing was going to stop him trying out this ultimate test of nerve and ability. Dave had been ill with a flu virus just prior to the night too and the three round were going to take there toll - however Dave has a massive punch, using his powerful 6' frame he can knock a man out easily if it lands - his kicks too are of devastating ability - ask John Skeldon - who is nursing a few swollen ribs after the last training session before the fight!

Round 1 ) Sensei Steve Pride is in charge for the evening and brings the two men together. As the bell sounds both men come crashing together - both landing big furious punches - the nerves of full-contact make even the most trained fighter turn into a fist wielding machine. Dave desperately wanted one of these bombs to land and came forward all round - the round finishes with Dave ahead on points.
Round 2) Much better start from Dave as he lands kicks and punches forcing his opponent Evans into the corner. Evans fights his way out to the cheers of the crowd - only to be bombarded by another rally from Dave. Already the round feels ten minutes long as Dave visibly starts to tire. The massive bombs are now falling with less power .. the round finishes with Dave just doing enough to secure it. All he has to do is finish the fight and notch up his first win.

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Dave Roe wins his first Full-Contact fight in the ring against the local man Simon Evans

Round 3) With the Final bell only 1 ½ minutes away both men give it all they have got - The Gatwick crowd lift their fighter Evans however Dave keeps coming forward and misses two massive uppercuts by a whisker and a knockout looks on the cards as Dave lands some more heavy punches - however Evans keeps it together and with only seconds left Sensei Steve Pride takes a look at Dave's right eye. This could be a disaster - all he needs to do is finish to win - however his safety is always first and Steve Pride asks the Doctor to come to ring side to check him over. The Doc gives him the all clear and Dave not wanting to quit now continues and finishes with a barrage of big hits that takes the fight to the final bell as both men run out of steam. - Dave Roe enters after bike wreck - wins and leaves the guy looking like he's been in a car accident ! - Well done Dave - another great battle.

The next few fights are a mix of Titles and non Title bouts. Then as the evening comes to a close the main Title fight of the night is our top man :-
Ben Vowles V Russell Smith (Gatwick Kickboxing) -
This you will remember is a re-match from the KO'd III Fight Night in Sutton Coldfield. This was going to be a good fight, as it was earlier this year - when everyone was off their seats to the final bell…and Ben missed out by a point - this time the training had been longer / harder and much better - Ben was in good shape and had a point to prove. The crowd went crazy as the local man was introduced - Ben looked focused and ready as ever!!
Steve Pride brings his hand down and the fight is on
This is Big Ben's fourth time in Full-Contact and the improvement in ring craft and technique each time he enters is astonishing. Everyone's first time is a little frenzied - as one develops and gets used to the atmosphere then the experience tells and the fights and fighters become more controlled and precise - Ben is becoming the fighter we all knew he could be -

Round 1) Big Ben came out his corner and moved around the ring like a pro - he danced and moved with much better confidence - flurries of punches then landing his hard hitting roundhouse kicks to Smiths legs body - then more movement - jab and move - picking him of at range - It was no surprise that Smith would come forward and take the fight to Ben - his reach was much shorter than Bens and he would have to work inside this advantage. Ben too had done his homework and his guard and covering was excellent - only to then surprise Smith with fierce body shots that slowed Smith down and make him cover. They separate for a moment - Ben lands a great front kick to the body of Smith as he comes in - Ben backs off and allows Smith to come in close - again Ben and Smith battle it out at close range, exchanging combinations that land with pin point accuracy - these two are now used to this type of treatment and this one will be a close fought contest - just like last time. Ben lands some more heavy hits to Smiths body as Steve pulls them apart from a tangle - the two gladiators lock horns again and the round finishes with … well who knows who won! - too close to call !

Round 2) Bens footwork much improved uses the ring well and makes Smith chase him - both men take big hits to the legs from hard hitting roundhouse kicks. They are getting the crowd excited every second as the non-stop artillery is thrown by both men. Smith looses a footpad and is called to the corner for repair.
This gives a few valuable seconds of rest to both men. Ben comes out the stronger using more kicks than Smith - however landing to the arms and guard of Smith as he comes forward. A terrific round of Full-Contact excitement - another round too close to call.
Round 3) The third of four 2 minute rounds - the fitness training is now paying off - Ben has loads left in the tank and comes out really strong - Sensei Richard Barret and I told him to save some for the last and use only a few kicks this round - his boxing coming on so well - he again gave and took some great shots - its another epic round of terrific rallies - this is what the crowd have been wanting - quality fighters battling for the Title - already the best fight of the night so far!

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Ben Vowles has the fight of his life - for the BKBU Cruiser Weight Full-Contact Kickboxing Title

Round 4) The final round - Ben has loads left - he starts with his long jab - dismantling Smith - by now Smith is no-longer pushing forward with the same venom - Ben is able to use more techniques and keep him at arms length. Then suddenly Smith lands a jab followed up with a big right - this stuns Ben and we can see he is visibly shook - Smith hits him again and tests the strong jaw of Ben as his gum shield is sent flying - Ben does the right thing - experience telling now - and hold on - making Steve break them up for only the third time in the whole fight - such was the intense action ! - Ben looses his Gum shield and needs it cleaned - With his head recovered Ben puts back the gum shield and lets rip with one more push to secure the fight - finishes the stronger of the two and looks like he might knock out the local man - the crowd by now on their feet and the noise is deafening - the final bell sounds.

Bens arm is left down as the local crowd rejoice - you can see the happiness on the Gatwick camps faces - they new this was close too and with one judge giving it to Ben the other to Gatwick it was a real close fight - one to remember and the crowds will pay good money to see again - next year at Sutton - Bring it on - Third time lucky for Big Ben - Well done and we are all proud of you Ben from all at Chongshin Do
Fight of the night
Although Ben looses this fight by a point he is given a large trophy for "Fight of the night" - this proves the ability this man has - the crowd want this - the sport of "Kickboxing" NEEDS it - quality and professionalism - well done to him … remember anyone wanting a chance at this ultimate test - next year on home turf!

Fight of the Night goes to
BEN VOWLES V's Russell Smith

Ben with trophey (and ice pack!)

Sensei Steve Pride - BKBU No1 Referee !

Sensei Steve Pride (far right) with Promoter Grieg Bradbury (centre) and Ben vowles (left)

Sensei Steve Pride did such a good professional job refereeing at the KO'd Fight Night Event - that he was asked to ref the main fights in the day and evening at the Gatwick Show - Once again he did such a good job on the weekend (in front of Soke) controlling the fights (Even had to control the crowd at one stage when problems erupted in the seating!!) that Soke has appointed him his 1st choice referee and the BKBU #1 Ref! - This is a great achievement for Sensei Steve - who will be taking Refereeing courses for Soke/ BKBU for anyone wanting to help out at tournaments in the future - Nice one Steve!

Meditation self awareness Seminar - November 2nd
All Instructors must make this opportunity to experience firsthand the true benefits from meditation. This will on Sunday 2nd November. 11am -3pm - Shenstone Village Hall, Shenstone - Any high grade who wishes to attend should see sensei Martin Blakeway for details - 07956 895525.

Delves Club Time Changes
Mondays at Delves will be closed as from 1st November - Until the new year when we hope to have a better time slot for members - please see me or Sensei Wayne Whitehouse for details.

Insurance - Message from Soke :-
We are covered by MAAS insurance (one of the best Martial Art insurances available) - All students regularly training MUST be adequately insured - if you have not filled out a pink insurance form please see your instructor for one - also sheet on why and what is covered.
£15 for a years Martial Art Cover (juniors £10 per annum) -
We have only had one claim in many years - however in this "Claim Culture" we must be covered for our own protection & safety - do it NOW .