Combat v35i10

Combat1109 rgb

ESTD.

1974

17/11/09 14:28

Page 1

STRICTLY FOR MARTIAL ARTISTS

W W W. C O M B A T M A G . C O. U K

KILLER KNIVES

MARTIAL LAW

Your Tactics Tactics Safe?

Safe?

Are Are Your

Confrontation Contact Contact && Confrontation

HOW TO SPAR

KETTLEBELLS

Champion!

Like Like aa Champion!

Training For For All All Functional Functional Training

TAKEDOWNS

POOMSAE

Do Do They They Work Work on on The The Street?

Street?

Taegeuk Taegeuk Sam Sam Jang Jang

THE BIG ISSUE

HELL IN A CAGE

Monsters Monsters ofof MMA MMA

WWE WWE Insights Insights

Do You Want To Be An

OLYMPIC

CHAMPION! Regardless of What Style You Currently Practice

MMA

KUNG-FU

ITF TKD

NOVEMBER 2009

KARATE

Vol. 35 No. 10 £3.75

KICKBOXING

Combat1109

UKS001/01

14/10/09 16:44

Page 2

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:44

Page 3

:$51,1* 7KLV 0D\ 1RW %H )RU <RX

$PD]LQJ 6RIW 7RXFK )LJKWLQJ 7HFKQLTXHV (OLWH 0DUWLDO $UWLVWV :LOO 3D\ 7KRXVDQGV 2I 3RXQGV 7R /HDUQ $QG 12 2QH (OVH :LOO (9(5 +HDU $ERXW <RXUV )5(( ,I <RX :DQW

ǤǤǤ

̵ ǯ ǣ Dz Ǧ dz ǡ Ǥ

ǯ ǤǤǤ

ǡ

ǤǤǤ Ǧ

Ǥ Dz dz Ǥ ǡ ǡ Dz dz ǡ Ǥ ǤǤǤ Ǯ Ǧ ǯ ǯ Dz Ǧ dz ǯ ǣ Ǥ Ǯ Ǧ ǯ ǤǤǤ

ǣ Dz dz

ǡ ȋ Ȍǡ ǤǤǤ x Dz Ǧ dz Ǥ ǯ ǤǤǤ ǡ ǡ Dz Ǧ dz ǤǤǤ Ǩ ͺ͹ x ͳͲ Dz dz Ǯ ǯ

Ǥ ȋ ǯ Ǩ Ȍ x ǤǤǤ ǡ Dz dz ǥ

x Ǧ ǡ ǡ Dz dz ǤǤǤ ǤǤǤ ǯ ǣ ǤǤǤ ǯ Ǥ ǡ Ȃ ǤǤǤ ǯ Ǯ ǯ Ǥ ǡ ǤǤǤ

Ǥ

ǤǤǤ

ǤǤǤ

ǤǤǤ

Dz Ǧ dz ǯ ȋ Ȍ ̶ Ǧ ̶ Ǥ ǯ ǫ ǡ ǡ Ǧ Ǥ ǯ Ǥ ǯ

ǡ ǤǤǤ

Dz Ǧ dz ǯ Ǥ ǯ

ǤǤǤ

ǡ ǡ ǯ

ǯ ǤǤǤ ǯ ǯ ȋ Ȍǡ ͳͲͲΨ Ǥ Ǥ Ǥ

ǤǤǤ Ǥ ǯ

Ǩ

Ǧ

͸ ǥ ̵ ǣ ̶ Ǧ ̶ ͉ͻͻ ͉͵ͷ

ǡ ǤǤǤ Ǩ Ǥ ǯ Ǥ Ǥ Ǩ ǯ ǣ ͲͺͶͶ ͺʹ͸ Ͷͻͷͻ Dz Ǧ dz ȋ ǣ ͻȌǤ

Ǥ ǣ

Ǥ Ǧ Ǥ

ǤǤǤ

Ǧ Ǩ Dz ͷͻ Ȃ

Ǥ Ǧ Ǥ Ǩdz Ȃ ǡ ͵ ǡ Dz Ǧ dz Ǧ ǡ ̶ ǡ ǡǡ

ͼ

Ǥ ǦǦǦǦ ǦǦ ̶ ǡ ̺

5LVN )5(( 3ULRULW\ 2UGHU )RUP 5HI &%' )RU IDVWHVW VHUYLFH XVH \RXU FUHGLW FDUG DQG &DOO RU RUGHU RQOLQH DW ZZZ )LJKW 6FKRRO FRP

Ǩ Dz Ǧ dz Ǥ

ǯ ǯ ǡ ǤǤǤ Ǧ ͉͵ͷǥ Ȁ ͉͵ͷ ȋ Ȍ

STO001/21

Ǥ ͓ǣ ͵ ǣ ǣ ǣ ǣ ǣ Ȁ ǣ ǣ Ȃ ͻ ǡ ǡ ͵Ͳ ʹ ǡ Ǥ ͺǣͲͲ Ǧ ͳͲǣͲͲ ȋ Ǧ Ȍǡ ͻǣͲͲ ǦͷǣͲͲ ȋ Ƭ Ȍ

Combat1109

15/10/09 10:29

Page 4

VOLUME 35 NUMBER 10 NOVEMBER 2009 PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Paul Clifton paul@martialartsinprint.com

EDITORIAL TEAM 0121-351-6930

SENIOR DESIGNER Mark John Davies

GRAPHIC DESIGN Kevin Thompson

ADVERTISING/SALES EXECUTIVE Andrew Reader 0121-351-6930 combat.magazine@btclick.com HOW TO GET WORK PUBLISHED To have your submission published in COMBAT couldn’t be easier. Supply your written material either on disc (ASCII), typed or on audio tape.

Send it together with a covering letter and some good quality photo’s (digital photographs must be 300dpi) to the Head Office (address below).

NEWS ITEMS For all news related items, simply mark your envelope “COMBAT NEWSLINE” and together with a photograph (if required) and a covering letter, send it to: COMBAT, Head Office. or E-Mail: combat_news@martialartsinprint.com

CALENDAR If you have a forthcoming event that you would like published in COMBAT Calendar. Send your entry, giving dates, times, and contact numbers, to “CALENDAR” COMBAT Head Office.

HEAD OFFICE: COMBAT, Unit 20, Maybrook Business Park, Maybrook Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 1BE. Tel: 0121 351 6930 E-Mail: combat.magazine@btclick.com

CLUBS DIRECTORY Advertise your club, school, group, Association for as little as £15 per month. Simply layout your details (using current advertisers as an example) including a good example of your logo/emblem if required and send it together with a cheque to the Head Office. Please mark the envelope “Clubs Directory” or E-Mail: combat_clubs@martialartsinprint.com

ADVERTISING DETAILS If you would like details about advertising in COMBAT please write, telephone or email the Head Office to obtain details, deadline dates and costs etc...

DISCLAIMER COMBAT is published by M.A. Publications ltd, Unit 20, Maybrook Business Park, Maybrook Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 1BE. The publishers reserve the right to reject editorial and/or advertising material as they see fit.

The Publishers accept no responsibility for the return of unsolicited material. However, the Publishers will endeavour to return such matter providing that it is accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope.

Any material accepted by the Publishers shall be revised or altered should the Publisher deem it necessary to do so. The act of submitting manuscripts and/or materials shall be considered an express warranty that such material is original and in no way infringes upon the rights of others. It is expressly forbidden for any part of the magazine to be reported whatsoever without the permission of Editor / Publishers. The views or comments expressed in these pages are not necessarily those of the editor or Publisher. Distribution by COMAG, Tavistock Works, Tavistock Road, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7QE.

COLUMNISTS Aran Dharmeratnam Chris Crudelli Gavin Mulholland Joe Hallett Kerry-Louise Norbury Mike Finn Mike Murphy Phil Hobden Silvio Simac CONTRIBUTORS Brian Dossett David Wing Guy Holland Jamie Lee Baron Mick Clarke Noel Crowley Peter Browne

Rich Hinchcliffe Richard Thomas Stuart Rider Tom Hibbert FILM MEDIA Phil Hobden Mike Murphy KUNG FU Derek Frearson Iain Armstrong Jeremy Yau Michael Tse Rash Patel Shi Yan Lei Simon Lau Vince Hinde Yap Leong

4 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK

COMMENT YOUR Open Invitation to Compete at the Olympics” If you are talented, driven, determined and have the desire to be an Olympic champion - YOU MUST RED THIS! I cannot stress how important the article, “An Open Invitation to Compete at the Olympics”, featured in this issue is! For years, I have advocated that the selection process for athletes to compete on our countries behalf at the Olympics should be made open. Open to anyone that has the talent, desire and ability to commit to a professional program of development that will (like every other country that takes part in the Olympics undertakes) increase our chances of bringing home gold medals. It’s not the BTCB (our Olympic/WTF lead body in the UK) doesn’t have some very gifted players, it’s more a case of the BTCB only houses a few thousand members. Which, obviously means that the talent pool from which they draw, is tiny compared to the number of people that (are not at this time members of the WTF community but do) practice martial arts in the UK. I believe that there are in excess of 10,000,000 martial arts practitioners in the UK and even if you look at the BTC (the governing body for Taekwondo in the UK), which houses (I believe 46,000 members) of which only a few thousand are made up of the BTCB/WTF players, you can start to appreciate that within the BTC (the UK’s governing body for Taekwondo) alone, there are some 36,000 plus Taekwondo players that, until now, could not access the Olympic selection process! Perhaps now you can start to understand why I am so delighted that UK Sport has finally listened to the voice of common sense and opened up this unique and very important door to anyone to be considered for Olympic selection! More importantly, we as a country, have some of the World’s Greatest martial talent located right here in the UK so we should, given that the selection process is fair and true, be set to see several gold Olympians on the rostrum at the 2012 Olympic games!

I promise you this; if you go for it - I will be “RIGHT BEHIND YOU, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY”!!! So, get out there and stake your claim, it doesn’t matter what style you currently do, this invitation is open to ALL! This month’s issue has a theme of “reality” to it and covers several thorny issues. New writer to Combat, Steve Dileo tackles the issue of whether take downs really are practical for the street, Rick Hinchcliffe and Iain Armstrong offer food for thought on the very current issue of knives and how to deal with them.

Jaimie Lee-Baron discuss’ effective self defence and Sifu Yan Lei offers advice on how to influence the length of time we have on this planet?

By way of a personal round-up, I’d like to offer my congratulations to several of the COMBAT team; Chris Denwood and his wife on the birth of their son (Jayden, John), and David Allerton and his wife on the birth of their daughter, Calista Rose.

Another congratulation must go out to Braulio Estema on his emphatic win at the ADCC championships, not only did he win, he never lost a match all the way through the bouts right up to and obviously including the final - Well Done Braulio!

Whilst on the theme of the good news theme, I would like to urge you to read two articles in particular; Douglas Stevenson on page 96.

Well that’s all for this month but before I leave you to enjoy the other and many delights in this issue, make sure you pick up your copy of COMBAT next month to find out what HUGE announcement I have in stall for you - YOU WILL BE VERY HAPPY !!!

Until next month, OSS! Paul. S Clifton.

KARATE Andy O’Brien Chris Denwood Gavin Mullholland Iain Abernethy Mike Finn Neil Horton Peter Allen Rannoch McDonald Ronnie Colwell Steve Arneill

FULL CONTACT Bill Wallace Cris Janson-Piers Dean Sugden James watling Joe Lewis Kerry-Louise Norbury Neil Holden Paul Hennesey Steve Humphries Tim Izli

THAI BOXING Bob Spour Dan Green Lee Green Richard Smith Shaun Boland Tony Myers

HEALTH/STRENGTH/FITNESS Drew Price Gavin Sibson Neil Rosiak Philip Malin Silvio Simac Jon Watson

KOREAN ARTS Con Halpin Dave Oliver David allerton Hee Il Cho Keith Evans Nigel Hudson Rob Govern Tony Vohra BOXING Luke Calvert Mark Wilson-Smith MMA Carl Fisher Dave O’Donnell Gavin mulholland Rob Nutley Sam Dyson

SELF PROTECTION/DEFENCE Aran Dharmeratnam Kevin O’Hagan Morne Swaenopal Peter Browne PHOTOGRAPHY Carrie Austin Martyn Skipper SPORT MARTIAL ARTS Brian Beck Curtis Page Humphrey Broome Joe Hallett John Swift Neville Wray Peter Edwards Rob Smith

Combat1109

12

15/10/09 10:29

Page 5

CONTENTS REGULARS

28

54

120

140

6 11 16 18 22 27 28 34 36 38 40 44 46 50 54 56 59 143 -

MARTIAL ARTS NEWSLINE LETTERS SHINOBI SOLDIERS - An Investigation Into The Ninja CHATTERBOX - With world champion Kerry-Louise THE REAL ART OF COMBAT - With Neil Rosiak NATORI THE NINJA - By Antony Cummins COMBAT FILM THE NEGOTIATOR - By Aran Dharmeratnam UNLOCK THE SECRET OF... - With Shifu Yan Lei MIKE FINN - Real Life Encounters - Part 1 THE FORMS FORUM - With Joe Hallett HERE’S WHAT I THINK! - By Robert Devane STREET SAVVY - With Steven Dileo N E W C O L U M N TRAIN 2 GAIN - By Gavin Sibson & Philip Malin MMA ROUND-UP - With Ben Cartlidge N E W C O L U M N SHAOLIN COMBAT - With Iain Armstrong THE WARRIOR CODE - By Anthony Cummins CLUBS DIRECTORY & CLASSIFIEDS SECTION

FEATURES 12 -

AN OPEN INVITATION TO COMPETE AT THE OLYMPICS Taekwondo’s Mission: Possible 60 KNIFE DEFENCE TACTICS Are Your Knife Defences Putting Your Life in Danger?

64 MARTIAL LAW? A Basic Introduction to The Ranges & Distances of Contact & Confrontation 66 THE SURVIVALIST! Steven Timperley THE MAKING OF IP MAN 68 A Biopic About Wing Chun’s Greatest Grandmaster 74 THE EVOLUTION OF A MARTIAL ART SYSTEM Part 3 - By David Weeks 76 SO YOU WANNA F.I.G.H.T? Part 2 - By Darren Le Ferve 82 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CARE TOO MUCH TO HURT YOUR ATTACKER Physical Intervention For The Martial Artist THE BIG ISSUE - By Ben Cartlidge 84 88 WWE HELL IN A CELL 2009 Pay Per View Review 90 AL PEASLAND - How to Have Fun & Stay Safe 96 DOUGLAS STEVENSON How Martial Arts Can Help You Gain Confidence 100 - WAKO EUROPEAN CADET CHAMPS Pula, Croatia, October 2009 104 - FIRST SPECIAL NEEDS MARTIAL ARTS TOURNAMENT Hailed a Success!

110 - RESPECTING WHAT IS OLD; CREATING WHAT IS NEW - With Chris Denwood 114 - SAMURAI TALES OF OLD - Avoid Idle Chatting 116 - ISHIN RYU’S LEE SMITH 120 - TAMING IRON - Functional Training With Kettlebells

STO001/22

128 - TANG SOO DO - By Master David Allerton 132 - POOMSAE - An Intro For Beginner to Black Belt & Beyond 140 - IMPROVE YOUR KICKING ABILITY

WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK COMBAT 5

Combat1109

15/10/09 13:26

Page 10

WRS001/04

What Does the WRSA offer you?

• Insurance for Fighters, Instructors and Promoters So you are fully protected

• Regular Tournaments around the country.

Already 40 planned for 2009. See Website for details.

• Gradings with Specially designed certificates and badges.

Each Belt Grade Certificate is Unique

• Courses for Judges and Referees.

The WRSA encorages experienced fighters and coaches to take our judges and referees course so they understand what judges are looking for

• Regular Meetings Meetings so member can express their views of how the WRSA is being run.

What they think is good and what they feel needs improving.

• Courses First aid courses run by qualified instructors.

Training courses for ring craft, weapons course, etc.

• The WRSA does not interfere with how you run your club.

It does not restrict you or your fighter as to which shows you fight on.

• The WRSA welcomes Kickboxing Clubs, Thai boxing clubs, Kung Fu Clubs, Traditional Karate clubs.

For Further Information contact the WRSA or Steve Humphrey, Cressdene, Evesham Road, Offenham, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 8SA Tel: 01386 48452 Mobile: 07881 784839 Email: ukcba@lineone.net

www.worldringsportsassociation.com

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:45

Page 11

letters

IF YOU’VE GOT SOMETHING TO SAY THEN SAY IT! WRITE, FAX OR EMAIL US AT

Unit 20, Maybrook Business Park, Maybrook Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B76 1BE. TEL: 0121 351 6930. E-MAIL: letters@martialartsinprint.com

TRADITIONAL AND MODERN JAPANESE MATIAL ARTS.

I am a great believer in keeping the old Ryu or traditions, or should I say the “fighting arts” of the samurai, alive. So much has been lost with the downfall of the Samurai class.

This came about really by force, with the western powers demanding that Japan must open up its doors to trade.

Just a thought: what if Japan had said “No” to this?

Would the west then have declared war against Japan?

It seems to me that this might well have been the case.

But what right did we have to demand this from them?

This wasn’t what Japan wanted in the first place but, in the end the laying down of the sword and the end of the samurai class system did open up the country for trade.

No samurai anymore! Many of the old Ryu or schools were lost to us forever.

Most clans at that time did have their own fighting styles that were in fact handed down through time.

Because of the almost constant fighting between the major clans, smaller groups would join forces with these larger clans so making up a much larger total force while, at=2 0the same time, gaining protection by being part of this alliance. All these wars were caused by Human greed, to have land that did not belong to them: Such is the w ay of war. Coming back to the old traditional masters, if you are lucky enough to have been taught by one of these, then it becomes your responsibility to keep this art-form going, as so much has already been lost in the past. Having said that, if we go back in time lets say to the fourteenth century, that was “modern-life” to the people back then, just like “here and now” is to us today. And yet, the traditional arts were in fact already changing and evolving. Even then the bow and arrow was gradually giving way to the sword. The bow was still being utilised in warfare but the sword was slowly gaining ascendancy, the reason being that the sword was not like the older, more primitive models, but was of a far higher quality, making it more reliable and deadly. Later still, the gun was introduced to Japan by Portuguese traders, so even back then these traditions were changing and evolving. Even more so today with the modern arts of aikido, judo and so on. So the “new0 Japanese masters made these changes in order that martial arts could be practiced safely with a view to improving health and exploring spiritual growth. The reason being that martial artists no longer need to go around killing people! Now, we can practice and teach mixed martial arts, or even change part of our=2 0style to suit the way we wish to train. A few years ago, some of the “purists” thought this was quite wrong but, look at the facts: It was the traditional Japanese masters themselves that actually started this trend in the martial arts!

Like the bow, like the sword and like the gun: We still need to change with the times. But, at the same time

we also need to retain the “old” as without it there cannot be the new!

Prof. George Scarrott Hanshi 9th Dan Co founder Kiai Yamabushi Ryu.

REINSTATE TERRY POTTAGE Dear EKF Board I write this email on behalf of the association heads listed below and also the many officials of the EKF who are outraged at your decision to finish with the services of Terry Pottage as the Chief Referee of the EKF. These are but a few of the associations that have pledged support for Terry Pottage.

We would like the board to reconsider and reinstate Mr Terry Pottage as the chief referee for the EKF. The full details of why Mr Pottage services where no longer required are a mystery to all except the EKF board, only hear say from association head to association head, but the consequences for the EKF to put on quality national & regional championships in the future are in jeopardy not only from the officials none attendance but also from the majority of associations that have attend these championships in the past that now support Terry Pottage reinstatement.

Terry is without doubt one of the most respected officials in the World. Your actions have fuelled an already difficult situation to the point that to get anything going at competition level on behalf of the EKF is getting bleaker as each day passes. We must be the laughing stock of the World regarding your handling of a World official.

What ever the difficulties were, I am sure for the sake of the EKF members, both sides can discuss and settle their differences and make a clean start, dialogue and an agreed working structure for competitions surely must also be the first thing discussed if you eventually see common sense and ask Mr Terry Pottage to take up the helm again as Chief Referee.

The EKF needs Mr Pottage and his team of quality referees that support him for the future and the ability to officiate at competitions in 2010 and beyond. We need quality competitions officiated by quality referee’s, English Karate Ka deserve nothing less.

In closing reconsider and reinstate Mr Terry Pottage.

Kindest regards On behalf of the associations below., more will send in there support.

AMA KARATE - WKU - ZKGB - SHINDOKAI KENYUKAI - BKA - TAISHODO - CHOJINKAI - IKF Karate-do Shito-kai England - GAKUSHUIN - KOFUKAN.

WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK COMBAT 11

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:25

Page 12

An Open Invitation to Compete at the

Olympics Taekwondo’s Mission: Possible Taekwondo has been given a mission: to maximise every opportunity for Great Britain to win gold medals at the home Olympic Games in 2012. Sport Taekwondo UK Ltd, along with talent identification experts from the UK Talent Team firmly believe that there are athletes out there, not currently involved in taekwondo’s Olympic discipline, who could transfer in and achieve greatness in London in just three years time. This could vastly increase the likelihood of gold-medal winning opportunities in London being fulfilled by British athletes.

A nationwide talent identification programme, Talent2012 Fighting Chance, is now live and is offering combat athletes from all Martial Arts, including taekwondo, the opportunity to trial for the elite squad. It’s open to anyone with the talent, determination and desire to become a full time athlete and compete for medals at the Olympics. So, if you are a practising martial artist that has fighting skills and experience (karate, kickboxing, MMA, kung-fu of any martial combat style) this is your chance to represent

your country at the Olympics.

This is the first time that Britain has made such an open invitation for talented male and female athletes to apply their skills to taekwondo and have the chance to be part of an Olympic programme. The UK Talent Team and Sport Taekwondo UK Ltd are hoping that there is strong support from the Martial Arts community in the UK. The chance to become an Olympic Champion through Talent2012 Fighting Chance starts

kickboxing

12 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK

kung-fu

with an open recruitment process which allows athletes to submit their personal details online via the UK Sport Talent website, www.uksport.gov.uk/talent.

Talent2012 Fighting Chance is looking for athletes aged 16 and above with a high skill and achievement level in their current combat sport. Athletes from all weight categories are welcome and a kicking background is essential.

From the initial online applications successful athletes will be

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:25

Page 13

asked to attend an assessment day in February 2010. During these days athletes will be judged on a range of performance criteria including speed, physical attributes, decision-making ability and the desire to win. From this stage the Talent Team will determine which athletes are then invited to attend a residential boot camp to in the UK before final selections are made for a residential boot camp in Korea and the final squad is selected to train full time within the National Taekwondo Performance Centre in Manchester.

Britain has a good pedigree in Taekwondo, with Sarah Stevenson winning a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and 17 year old Aaron Cook narrowly missing out on a medal in a fight that featured prominently by the BBC and talked about extensively on the basis of Aaron having been attracted into the sport through his love of the Power Rangers.

However, Cook could easily have missed out on his Olympic dreams, and has a burning desire to win gold in 2012. “It was never clear to me which code I was doing,” he said.

“ITF taekwondo seemed to be more prominent in my area growing up and that is the martial art I started in. I transferred across to WTF taekwondo and realised my Olympic dream, well almost, gold in London is the aim.

“I believe there is a lot of talent out there, particularly in ITF which could make the transfer with the right guidance and development opportunity, particularly in women as they have some World Champions and I’d encourage all of them to apply via www.uksport.gov.uk/talent.”

To read more articles like this make sure you get the next issue of Combat available from WH Smiths & all good newsagents

karate

WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK COMBAT 13

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:29

Page 22

THE REAL ART OF COMBAT With Neil Rosiak

Post Activation Potentiation for Martial Arts Power training is commonly conducted using lighter resistances that are performed explosively because it was previously shown that performance gains will be optimized through the use of a training load that maximizes the mechanical power output of an exercise.

Strength training commonly uses loads that maximize the force output of the exercise movements.

In recent years sports scientists have found that there is a nervous system adaptation that may enhance power training, by incorporating elements of strength training within a power workout. The combined use of high force and high power training has become known as complex training. It is also known as the Post Activation Potentiation effect.

The idea is that in order to maximize the quality of the power-training element of the training, an initial strength training movement (high force exercise) is performed. This primes the nervous system for the next part of the set, which involves taking a biomechanically similar movement to the strength set performed and performing it with loads that emphasise maximal power output.

This has the effect of increasing power output in the power move-

ment by a significant percentage.

Over time by training with power outputs that are greater, we can reasonably expect the power training effect of our training to be improved.

As well as potentially enhancing Power training quality, post activation potentiations (PAP) also gives us an effective and time efficient way of organizing strength and power training, so that we can improve our ability to apply high forces (strength) and improve our mechanical power outputs (power).

What loads should be used?

The loads best used for the strength portion PAP are typically found to be at our around the 5RM (Repetition Maximum) range. Loads that maximize the mechanical power of an exercise tend to be found at between 30%-70% of 1RM. Bigger movements that use more muscle mass (for example cleans) tend to be at the upper end of the range (nearer to %70) whilst mechanically smaller movements tend to be at the lower end of the range.

Also less experienced athletes tend to experience greater mechanical power outputs at the lower end of the range...

22 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:29

Page 23

To read the rest of this article why not take out a subscription by calling +44 (0) 121 351 6930 WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK COMBAT 23

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:45

Page 20

Welcome to...

WAKO WORLD ASSOCIATION OF KICKBOXING ORGANISATIONS President: Tom Hibbert M.B.E., F.S.M.A.

Founded in 1970 WAKO is the largest unified kickboxing organisation in the World with over 100 nations currently in membership. WAKO World H.Q. is based in Milan. ★ WAKO History ★ WAKO started its activity in Europe in 1976. The founder was Mr Georg Bruckner from Berlin, who promoted the first ever World Championships in semi and full contact karate (as it was called in those days) back in 1978 with 110 competitors representing 18 countries. WAKO immediately created the rules and regulations for the new fighting sports and acted, since the very beginning, as the authentic Kickboxing Federation of the world. In our Championships, only national teams are accepted. Each member country can present only 1 competitor in each weight class. The WAKO World Championships are NOT open competitions therefore each representative is the premier competitor in that category, from their country.

World Governing Body for Kickboxing World and European Amateur Championships Title Fights held continually both Amateur & Professional Regional Competitions are held throughout the year British Amateur Championships to choose British Teams Full-Contact, Light Continuous-Contact, Semi-Contact, Musical Forms Licence, Membership and Insurance available to all of U.K., Southern Ireland and Republic of Ireland Coaching courses, Referee Training, Seminars and Training Dan Gradings and WAKO certificates for all Members For upto the minute details of all forthcoming W.A.K.O events visit our website To see national ama/wako listings of over 13,000 instructors/clubs on the web, type: www.bt.com/thephonebook then in ‘business’ type: martial arts and town

Contact: Treas & Office: Jacky Carson, 75 Grantham Ave, Derby, DE21 4FJ Tel: 07792 341036 (after 6pm and weekends) Email: info@wakogb.co.uk WAK001/22

www.wakogb.co.uk

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:46

Page 27

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:49

Page 44

THE MAN SPEAKETH!

By Robert Devane

How

Champions Spar I hope you have had a good month. Thank you for returning to my column and if you’re reading this for the first time, you picked a good one to start with. It’s my favourite topic this month, sparring. If I was only allowed to pick one area of martial arts to practice, sparring would be it. Many beginners find sparring to be very intimidating and they can be very reluctant to start. Hopefully this will give you / them the edge. If you are already sparring but want to improve your game (who doesn’t?) then this article is for you too. What makes ‘The Man’ (me!) qualified to write this article about sparring? I’m glad you asked. Well, I’ve fought and sparred all over the World in points fighting, continuous kickboxing and mma.

I’ve fought and sparred in various disciplines including boxing, karate, taekwondo, muay thai, kickboxing, mma and kung fu. I’ve even won a lot too. Oh yeah, and as mentioned last month, I completed 100 consecutive kickboxing rounds against 100 opponents for charity - 3hrs 20mins of sparring hell! So, grab your gum shield and enjoy.

You can practice martial arts for a long time but only by sparring, can you really hone your skills and increase your confidence.

For example, timing, distance and fighting strategies can only really be practised whilst sparring. Sadly, I’ve heard this

excuse more than once; “My style is too lethal to spar”! Well if it is, simply make the rules for sparring friendly, or you will miss out on the many benefits. Don’t be a theoretical martial artist. It doesn’t matter what style of martial arts you do, this was written to work for everyone.

Sparring can be one of the biggest reasons students leave martial arts and it can be a legal headache for instructors if not conducted safely and correctly.

Students should be armed with as much information as possible so I hope the following is helpful.

CHAMPIONS DON’T USE EGO

members of Martial Arts Incorporated sparring

44 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK

Believe it or not, the higher up the chain of champions you go, the nicer they seem both inside and outside the ring. Obviously there are exceptions but as a

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:49

Page 45

Robert sparring with Kiefer Crosbie

general rule, professional fighters don’t spar with ego. They spar so often that they do not take things personally. They are not putting on a demo they simply want to improve as well as build fighting fitness.

CHAMPIONS DON’T SPAR TO WIN Most champions don’t even try to win when sparring. Yeah right I hear you say, but it’s true. During training (not competing) would you rather win or improve your skills? Winning is a bi-product of how you perform. Champions are more interested in improving their weaknesses, trying new techniques and pushing their fitness.

In fact, Champions will put them-

selves in the very situations while training that they wish to avoid when competing.

CHAMPIONS DON’T GO FULL ON Amateurs try to kill each other but professionals cannot afford to risk injury and would rather work on technique. That doesn’t mean that they won’t spar hard on occasion because they will, when they can trust their partner.

Would you fight hard in the gym for free against all comers when you are paid plenty to fight hard in the ring/cage?

CHAMPIONS ARE NOT EMOTIONAL Sun Tzu reckons we should greet victory and defeat with the same

face. Get angry or over excited and you’ll make mistakes and burn out. Get upset or negative and you’ll lose before you’ve lost.

Stay in the present tense and concentrate on your game plan.

CHAMPIONS THINK It’s not just techniques that win, it’s strategies. You have so much to figure out about your opponent within a short space of time.

Notice what works and what doesn’t. Fighting is all about problem solving...

To read the rest of this article why not order a back issue, for details call +44 (0) 121 351 6930 WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK COMBAT 45

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:47

Page 46

STREET SAVVY With Steven Dileo

Do takedowns work in the street?

How many times have you heard this one: “Yea, but will it work in the street?” If you watch MMA, the answer is plenty of times! With the explosion of this sport, martial artists and arm-chair fighters alike are constantly critiquing techniques to determine whether or not they are street worthy. It is a fair question that has been asked ever since the first heavyweight boxing match aired in 1939 between Max Baer and Lou Nova.

Let’s face it! The truth is that some techniques are strictly for the ring and some are strictly for the street; however, most have application in both. It just depends upon the choice of technique, the situation, and the timing, not to mention about 100 other factors.

Takedowns seem to generate the greatest amount of debate. They

Attacker steps forward with a punch and defender blocks.

Defender executes a front leg sweep and holds on to the attackers arm.

46 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK

exist in almost every martial art, varying slightly from system to system. Judo and Jujitsu are probably the most complete styles, using everything from simple reaps to traditional throws. Stand-up arts, like Tae Kwon-Do and Shotokan, primarily employ sweeps and a few tripping techniques. Of course, wrestlers have their own unique strategies of

Defender steps to the side while grabbing attacker’s arm.

getting an opponent on the ground with single and double-leg takedowns. All in all, depending on the circumstances, some takedowns may be better than others when it comes to real self-defense, where the street is an unforgiving arena filled with many more hazards than the ring.

MMA has changed the competitive landscape, providing, arguably, one of the better proving grounds for the effectiveness and practicality of various techniques. While it is not a perfect laboratory, a great deal can be learned; however, several differences are obvious: First, the ring is a controlled environment where the referees and judges provide protection from excess injury. Second, and most relevant to this discussion, is the padded surface and the open space that is provided by a competition ring or cage.

Defender drops hard on the attacker while applying a gooseneck wrist lock.

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:34

Page 47

Basically, there are three types of takedowns: sweeps, throws, and single / double-leg shoot. For selfdefense, each will be measured against specific criteria designed to determine street effectiveness. The best takedown would include one that inflicts maximum damage on the opponent, while minimizing the potential damage to the person doing the technique. Additionally, a key factor is the position of the opponents after the takedown; preferably, the defender should be on top and in a dominant position ready to strike or control the attacker.

Sweeps are probably the most common types of takedowns among more traditional, stand-up, styles. It makes sense that striking arts often try to keep the contest at punching range to take advantage of their hand and foot skills. Sweeps, in their most basic form, attempt to misdirect the attacker’s legs in one direction while forcing the upper body in another. This has the effect of knocking the opponent off balance and hopefully to the ground. The advantage of this technique is that it is quick, deceptive, and requires little skill. In the street, if done correctly and with good speed, sweeps can inflict a great deal of damage as the opponent will likely fall in an awkward position on a hard, uneven surface. In terms of injury to the defender, the potential is low, provided the attacker does not hold on.

However, one disadvantage to a sweep is a concept called symmetry

which, simply stated, means: the position required to execute a sweep puts the defender in equal peril if the attacker moves to also execute the same technique. That is why this particular type of takedown is dependent upon speed and quickness.

With respect to the third criteria of final position, sweeps create space and the person doing it will almost always have the dominant position well suited for a follow-up strike.

Single-leg and double-leg takedowns are primarily used by wrestlers and grapplers. Essentially, the wrestler will attempt to “shoot” in on the opponent by rapidly dropping their center of gravity and closing the distance. Once contact is made, the person doing the takedown will attempt to grab one or both legs, pull, lift, and push towards the ground. Perhaps the single biggest advantage of this type of technique is that it is nearly unstoppable, unless the opponent is skilled at sprawling. Unfortunately, once outside the ring, there are considerable problems.

The first is distance; single-leg and double-leg takedowns need at least a few feet to complete. Next, the act of lifting an opponent before driving to the ground calls for strength instead of leverage. Third, and most important, is the fact that this takedown exposes the person doing it to injury on the landing. Typically, when a wrestler or grappler shoots on an opponent, their head is positioned at the side, right in the line of fire for impact. During most competitive matches, almost every single-leg or double-leg attempt results in head impact for both fighters; not the best scenario on concrete! In fact, even with the padded surface of the ring, fighters have knocked themselves out as they take their opponent down. As far as dominant position, clearly the person doing the shoot will probably end up on top...

To read more articles like this make sure you get the next issue of Combat available from WH Smiths & all good newsagents

Defender holds onto attacker’s arm and steps over to apply an arm bar.

Attacker steps in with a punch and defender applies a two hand stopping block.

Defender positions for a hip throw.

Defender executes a hip throw.

WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK COMBAT 47

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:47

Page 48

WUS001/01

Combat1209

17/11/09 10:55

Page 113

in association with...

www.fightersmag.co.uk

CFC001/01

www.combatmag.co.uk

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:45

Page 50

TRAIN2GAIN

By Gavin Sibson and Philip Malin

The Best Training Tool

Bar None

The theme of our previous articles has been to describe how basic strength training could help the aspiring and experienced martial artist.

Our experience shows that improving strength is useful in any activity that requires the application of force. We’ve described that we think the barbell is one of the finer tools available for the purpose of gaining strength in a functional manner.

Academics will go round and round in circles discussing the best or most efficient method of strength training, ranging from types of equipment to the actual reps, sets and cadence of the repetitions.

Opinion that exists is more often than not entrenched in one camp or another. In every gym and on every internet site there will be people with opinions that they insist are “best” and “right”. Popular opinion often goes in cycles and every few years there’ll be a revival in one method or technique. The list is almost endless, core training, kettlebells, cross training, explosive training, Olympic lifting, super-slow, rubber bands, machines, barbells, dumbbells and so on.

Dear Gav & Phil, I love your column and I am a loyal fan of Combat, having bought it for the last 36 years! Could you tell me how to increase my muscle mass but without increasing my weight as I am 17 stone already. I am a well built Kickboxer and my electronic scales say that I have a 31% body fat content. I would ideally like to be 15 stone but I ma a big boned, 6ft 5” builder. Any help would be most appreciated.

Billy Golders - London.

Billy Our experience is that it’s difficult to increase strength without an increase in bodyweight, difficult but not impossible. The electronic scales are not an exact science, but I would guess that you could loose a little timber without it effecting you too much. Diet is the key for any weight loss, that said, the best fat burner is muscle - the more muscle you have on your bones the more calories you will burn just walking around. The combinations of protein, fat and carbohydrate has been subject to much debate over years, we have found that not mixing fat and carbs is a good idea. Complex carbs, healthy fats and complete lean protein sources should be the mainstay of your diet. If you have no idea what these are then look them up and find things you can eat and things you can eat regularly. Protein such as chick50 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK

We could answer many questions on the validity and relevance of these techniques or methods, but frankly, who cares?

It’s difficult for us to imagine someone who would not benefit from some strength training, even if all it does, is make it easier to open a jam jar. Improvements in mood, posture, body composition and fitness should happen after the application of even a halfway decent routine.

en, lean steak, egg whites (with the odd yolk), turkey and all fish, carbs like oats, sweet potatoes, rice cakes, baked spuds and rice - healthy fats would be oily fish (fish oil tablets are good too), nuts, avocado (not a personal favourite but it works), olive oil stuff like that.

As far as weights are concerned then you should be hitting the barbell hard and trying hard to put extra weight on or an extra rep or two - dont be afraid of squats or deadlifts. Please dont fall into the trap that you need to do extra reps or extra sets either - multiple sets of low reps might actually be a better idea (especially at 70% of your max or thereabouts). Dont confuse weight training with aerobic training - there’s nothing wrong with kettlebells, cross training or weight drills these are to be used as well as progressive weight training rather than instead of. The more aerobic exercise and kickboxing you’re doing the less weights you will be able to do - you will be able to gain strength on one or two exercises, once or twice a week.

The whole strength thing is relatively easy to monitor, if your weights are not going up consistently then change something around - more often it will mean doing less, rather than more.

Let us know how you get on.

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:35

Page 51

Your personal circumstances and motivations are going to influence the way you train.

For example: if you’ve read combat and have decided that Krav Maga is the best way to train, you love the philosophy, methods and techniques that you’ve read about but you live in a small village with no transport links and a good Shotokan Karate school 5 minutes away, then the chances are that you’d be better off studying the karate than doing nothing at all.

We’ve put barbells at the top of our list for many reasons, one of which is that with minimum expense and space, virtually everyone can find somewhere to lift a bar. It’s a happy coincidence that a bar is the one thing that has (for the vast majority of us) put strength and muscle on each of our frames. Other methods have been a fun distraction but not nearly as effective as lifting weights on a bar.

Martial artists should also have their hands full with training for their art, any stress (in it’s many forms) will affect the ability to gain strength and muscle so we think that keeping weight training simple and reasonably brief would be a better idea.

Single-mindedly following a basic routine designed to improve the weight on a bar on movements such as squats (full squats and not the half squats that infect commercial gyms like a virus) bench presses (again to the chest, not an assisted lockout) dead-lifts, chin ups and overhead presses would be a great way to start. Three to five sets of five reps with the same weight on all sets would also be better than most of the training done at most commercial gyms.

Let’s briefly outline why we recommend the movement and the method and then you can objectively see what you think.

Squats use almost every muscle in the lower body in a co-ordinated manner, the “core” muscles and upper back also work hard. We could discuss the use of functional training that’s specific to sport but we will happily compare and contrast the kicking ability of a martial artist who we’ve trained to squat 150kg for reps to a similar martial artist whose been strapping a 1kg weight to his ankles and kicking a bag for a year...

To read the rest of this article why not take out a subscription by calling +44 (0) 121 351 6930 WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK COMBAT 51

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:50

Page 54

MMA ROUND-UP With Ben Cartlidge

The past month or so has proven to be a fairly time in the world of MMA. The UFC were even busier than usual in giving us a new season of The Ultimate Fighter, a very entertaining Ultimate Fight Night and of course the return of Vitor Belfort at UFC 103. The UFC also went on to announce the complete line up for their next trip to our fair shores. UFC 105: Couture vs Vera is an incredibly stacked card with a very strong main event.

Looking to bounce back from his devastating knock-out loss at the hands of Dan Henderson, England’s MMA poster boy Mike Bisping looks to get himself back in the hunt at 185 as he takes on the very dangerous Denis Kang.

Also announced were the matches for the two winners of the last season of The Ultimate Fighter.

James “Lightning” Wilkes has a very tough fight on his hands with fellow TUF veteran Matt “The Immortal” Brown and Ross Pearson looks to keep his winning momentum going as he faces off against 40-11 Aaron Riley from Greg Jackson’s camp.

Dan Hardy will now face top welterweight prospect Mike “Quick” Swick while Andre Winner looks to test the chin of Roli Delgado.

The card is also bolstered by Ultimate Challenge - Mayhem

54 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK

appearances of UK favourites Paul Taylor, John Hathaway and Nick Osipczak.

The most noticeable thing about this card is none of the English fighters have been given easy fights. The days of Bisping vs Sinosic seem a long time ago and it will be interesting to see how the UK fighters do against very tough competition. They should have called it UFC 105: Boston Tea Party 2.

Another former contestant on the Ultimate Fighter Team UK vs Team USA was in action this month as he looked to continue his post TUF winning streak.

Martin Stapleton had a disappointing showing against Cameron Dollar but since returning to England scored a quick win over Andrew Fisher at Submit

and Strike 11. Stapleton continued his momentum with a hard fought unanimous decision win over Ashley Smith at Clash of the Warriors. The event also saw good wins for unbeaten Manchester prospect Lee Cohoon and a spectacular 10 second knock-out for Dave Latus in his professional debut.

Clash of Warriors took place on 5th September in Nottingham and was headlined by English MMA stalwart “Judo” Jim Wallhead who made short work of Lithuania’s Marius Buzinskas, taking just 68 seconds to win by Rear-Naked Choke. Up next for Wallhead is a November clash with former Cage Rage Welterweight champion Che Mills which promises to be a fantastic encounter.

Another month another sold out event for Utimate Challenge.

The Troxy in London was the venue on September 19th as fans turned out to see another very strong card from the stalwart British promotion. On the Card was former Cage Rage favourite Jake Bostwick and he was able to pull off an impressive RearNaked Choke victory over Chris Harman. Another veteran of The Ultimate Fighter, Wesley Murch, looked much improved in his battle with Mark Smith. Murch was injured in the preliminary bouts for season 8 of The Ultimate Fighter, but since then he has looked a lot stronger and was able to beat Smith with a first round Kimura. There were also good wins for London

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:50

Page 55

Shootfighters product, Francis Heagney as he moved to 7-3 with a second round submission victory over Tim Radcliffe. Look out for the October 24th offering from Ultimate Challenge at the Troxy as a phenomenal UK card is headlined by UFC veteran and UCMMA Heavyweight Champion Neil Grove.

September also saw the latest instalment of M-1 Challenge as the 2009 Semi Finals rolled into Rostov, Russia. An action packed card saw Cage Rage veteran and British heavyweight Rob Broughton breeze past Russian Akhmed Sultanov with 1st round submission victory via Keylock.

Broughton moved his record to 31 under the M-1 banner and his overall record improves to 11-5.

However it took Broughton’s victory to prevent a clean sweep as Russia dominated England winning 4 of the 5 matches.

Amongst the victors were UFC veteran Ansar Chalangnov, a victor over Matt Thorpe by 1st round Heel Hook, and Legion Fight Team’s Besike Gerinava who ground out a unanimous decision over Lee Austin. The rest of the card was comprised of USA East vs USA West, the highlight of which was Shane Del Rosario’s explosive 1st round TKO of Lloyd Marshbanks in just 94 seconds...

To read the rest of this article why not order a back issue, for details call +44 (0) 121 351 6930

picture copyright

WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK COMBAT 55

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:48

Page 58

01 NAM001/

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:48

Page 59

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:48

Page 60

Knife Defence Tactics What’s The Point?

Are Your Knife Defences Putting Your Life In Danger?

By Rick Hinchliffe

Knives, it seems, are everywhere. One can hardly pick up a newspaper or switch on the television these days without coming across another example of knives being used on the streets, often with deadly consequences.

It’s a good job then, that we have our Martial Arts training to protect us.

All those hours spent in the Dojo will undoubtedly prove worthwhile and save us should we be faced by some knife-wielding feral hoodie....won’t they? To be honest, in most cases, I doubt it.

It is my contention that in the vast number of cases, the knife defences taught in traditional Budo will not only fail to make you safer, they will actually increase your chances of getting killed or maimed. But why is this? What is wrong with the way in which so many Martial Artists practice this serious and important aspect of our chosen subject? Well, there are a number of problems. Some of the major ones are: 60 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK

Real knives used in training.

I have often heard instructors say things like: “Using a live blade gets you used to the feeling of facing an opponent with a real knife.”

BULLS**T! What it actually gets you used to is facing an opponent who is being very careful not to hurt you if you make a mistake. They will pull their blows to such an extent that if you don’t block or deflect them, they will not land, or they will leave the weapon arm extended so that you have time to grab it and perform your technique, rather than trying to wrestle free and strike. This is so far from reality as to be suicidal as a method of preparation for the real thing. In a real life incident, your attacker will give you no such second chances.

Unless you are not a practising Martial Artist like the majority of us, but are actually a member of some brutally efficient secret training camp for Ninja assassins (in which case, you should put down your magazine and get back to your training, or you will die when Chuck Norris catches you!), you are unlikely to take your knife attacks to their logical conclusion when practising with a live blade.

Quantity over quality.

In some styles at least, there is a tendency to put more emphasis on the quantity of knife defences than the quality. It is not uncommon to see a grading syllabus with requirements such as ‘14 knife defences’ as one of the entries. Whatever the

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:39

Page 61

original purpose of such entries, it is very often counter-productive. It leads to students coming up with all sorts of scenarios in order to make each defence look identifiably different for the grading panel. This quest for variation leads us directly to the next problem:

Unrealistic attacks.

How often do you see knife defences involving ridiculous attacks that no self respecting knife-wielding scumbag would ever use in a million years. You know the kind of thing: downward stabbing motions to the top of the head, applied with a straight arm. If only people really used knives in this fashion, things would be so much easier. We could just perform our nice Jodan Juji uke, apply the arm lock, the throw or takedown, the finishing technique and be home in time for tea.

In a real-life situation, you will simply not be attacked in this way.

Check out any amount of documentary evidence or CCTV footage, if you can get hold of it. The vast majority of real attacks are either short range forward thrusting motions (with the knife held in either hand, front or back), or slashing movements to the upper area of the body (usually the face or neck, and never using a slow moving and easy to block straight arm).

But what’s wrong with this sort of training? It’s just keeping tradition alive isn’t it? Well, no: At least, not any genuinely old traditions. The fact is that Martial Arts were originally developed as effective methods of combat. Whichever of the ‘traditional’ styles you practice, the chances are that your syllabus as it is currently utilized is less than fifty years old.

The real problem though, is that this training leads to a false sense of security. Many students actually start believing that they will be able to defend themselves against real knife attacks when actually they are no better prepared than the next man.

So, what is the solution to this situation? How can the traditional Martial Artist turn things around and be able to feel confident when confronted with armed attackers?

The simple answer, of course, is that there is no cut-and-dried solution that will make you invulnerable to a knife attack. The first thing that Martial Artists should do is to elimi-

nate unrealistic expectations. A firm grasp of reality and an honest appraisal of ones own abilities in a given situation is probably the most important weapon in the Martial Artists armoury. The first thing that you need to realise is the genuine level of threat that a knife poses. At close range, a knife can be almost as dangerous as a gun.

Even people who might foolishly consider carrying a knife for self-protection should consider all of the consequences. The reaction to you pulling a knife may well elicit an extreme response, even if you intended only to threaten with it. You will then be in a situation where you need to use the weapon even if you didn’t intend to actually do so.

Furthermore, you should remember the old adage “A knife knows no master”. If the weapon is taken from you, there is the possibility that it may be used against you. Accept the fact that the moment a knife is pulled in a confrontation; the chances of death or serious injury are massively increased for everyone involved.

From the point of view of the defender, the most important thing to realise is that, the best defence, whenever possible or practical, is escape. This is probably something that many Martial Artists don’t want to hear. After all, you’ve spent all that time and money learning to fight like Bruce Lee, and now you’re being told to run away? Again, as a practical Martial Artist, the most important thing is to be a realist. The purpose of self-defence is to stay alive.

Okay, you may think. What about the preparation for the situations where I can’t just get out of there? Is

there anything in the traditional arts that will improve my chances? What kind of things should I be doing as part of my regular training?

Well, the first thing to do is to lose the live blades from your training and replace them with rubber, (or even wooden), knives. The use of a live blade in training will not help you recreate the genuine fear that you will feel if you ever encounter a real knife attack. Now that your training partner has a non lethal weapon, he or she can actually try to attack you, and you will have to make sure that your defence is effective to stop them. You will also lose the luxury, so common in many Martial Arts, of assuming that your attacker is a halfwit, only capable of lumbering, straight-armed attacks...

To read more articles like this make sure you get the next issue of Combat available from WH Smiths & all good newsagents

WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK COMBAT 61

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:48

Page 62

TLP001/03

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:49

Page 72

HAV001/11

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:49

Page 68

The Making of Ip Man

By Richard Badley

A Biopic About Wing Chun’s Greatest Grandmaster Action star Donnie Yen, director Wilson Yip and stunt coordinator Sammo Hung have collaborated on some of the most explosive movies in Hong Kong cinema, but their acclaimed biopic Ip Man shows they have come of age as filmmakers.

Taking on one of the most respected figures of martial arts was always going to be a daunting task but the trio have created a respectful, mature and entertaining glimpse into the life of a real legend.

Ip Man was a Grandmaster of Wing Chun and one of the first to teach the Chinese martial art, which concentrates on close-range combat, openly. Eventually, he would go on to train superstar Bruce Lee but Wilson Yip’s film focuses on a turbulent period of his life when China was occupied by Japanese forces in the 1930s. Stripped of his wealth and status, Ip Man (Donnie Yen) does his best to support his family but refuses to teach Wing Chun to the oppressors, instead helping his countrymen to fight back and quickly becoming a national hero.

Wilson Yip’s intricate period detail creates an epic feel while Sammo Hung’s beautifully choreographed stunt work make for some of the best fight scenes of recent years. But it’s Donnie Yen’s central performance that is the heart of the movie, bringing quiet dignity to the iconic figure and ensuring that Wing Chun itself is given the respect it deserves.

The film stormed the Asian box office and a sequel is currently being filmed that will follow Ip Man as he brings Wing Chun to Hong Kong and a young Bruce Lee. Donnie Yen, Wilson Yip and Sammo Hung were all able to take a break from shooting and tell Combat about bringing the legend to life...

What drew you to make a film about the legendary Ip Man and this specific period of his life?

DONNIE YEN: As a lot of people know, Bruce Lee is my idol, so I always knew of Grandmaster Ip Man as Bruce Lee’s teacher. I never really studied Wing Chun when I was younger, but I would look at books about it, if I met someone who did Wing Chun I would ask them to show me some moves. When (producer) Raymond Wong 68 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK

approached me to play Ip Man, I immediately thought this would be a great challenge and a great opportunity.

WILSON YIP: I thought it would be interesting to look back at Foshan in that period, all these martial arts schools competing against each other. At the start, they’re fighting but it’s quite playful, no-one is getting killed. Then, when the Japanese come, all the Chinese fighters have to join forces against them. It’s a unique time in history, and Ip Man lived through it.

Would the film have worked without Donnie in the lead role?

WILSON YIP: I don’t think so, no. I think he is perfect for this role, and especially at this stage of his life and career.

We’ve worked together several times, so I know his character very well. Like Ip Man, he’s devoted to his family and to his friends, and he’s also a martial arts master. I could tell immediately he would be the right choice for Ip Man.

You’ve all worked together on films before; did those experiences help on this project?

DONNIE YEN: Obviously, after three films together, Wilson and I have a very good working relationship. For this film, I really stepped back and was just the actor. I trusted him with the drama and director (Sammo) Hung with the action. It really allowed me to focus on my performance, and a lot of people commented on my acting in the film, in a good way, which was very gratifying.

SAMMO HUNG: I worked with Wilson before, on Sha Po Long (SPL). At that time, Donnie was the action director,

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:40

Page 69

I was just the actor. However, we work together very well.

Wilson is very quiet, very calm. He trusts his action director, and he focuses on the drama. However, he always wants to be on the set to make sure the drama and the action ‘match’.

Were you ever daunted by the idea you were bringing such an important martial arts figure to the screen?

DONNIE YEN: I don’t think you can approach it like that.

You have to just create a character for the film, and you have to do your research. If it’s a real person, you can talk to people who knew them. I met several masters of Wing Chun who had known Ip Man, including his son, Ip Chun, and they gave me a lot of information about his habits, his character. I didn’t feel intimidated by it, but I did feel the pressure to live up to this legend.

WILSON YIP: We talked to people who had known Ip Man, and who remember Foshan before the war. We went to Foshan now and visited the museums there. The actual studio we filmed at is in Shanghai, but I feel we really captured the feel of Foshan in that period.

As a character, Ip Man isn’t the typical action hero seen in other Hong Kong movies...

DONNIE YEN: Some of the characters I’ve played, all they ever did for the whole movie was fight. This role is very different from that. Ip Man was a family man, a scholar. He didn’t need to teach kung fu for money. He just loved martial art for its own sake. He really doesn’t want to fight, unless it’s a friendly challenge match, like the one at the beginning. Otherwise, he has to be forced into action, so it was a very different role for me, but a very rewarding one.

He’s on the side of those who can’t fight back so in a way it feels like a classic Bruce Lee movie. Was it your intention to pay homage to those action films?

WILSON YIP: No-one can make a martial arts film without being compared to Bruce Lee. He’s still the king! I think that, if Bruce Lee had lived, maybe he would have made a classic ‘kung fu movie’, with a good story and good actors. Definitely I was influenced by him. The scene where Ip Man takes on the ten Japanese fighters is clearly inspired by Lee’s Fist of Fury. He’s the idol of Donnie and myself, so it’s an honour to be compared to him.

What did you know about the art of Wing Chun itself before starting the movie?

SAMMO HUNG: Many years ago, when I was working at Golden Harvest, I did two movies about Wing Chun (Warriors Two and Prodigal Son) and, for some reason, that style really suited me. Lau Sifu (Lau Kar-leung) always used the Hung Gar style, so I focussed on Wing Chun. My teacher at that time was Guy Lai. He was a student of Ip Man. I often used Wing Chun technique, even on my TV series, Martial Law, and, a couple of years ago, I shot a TV series about Wing Chun. So by now I am very familiar with the style. I can say that, for Ip Man, I think we showed the most accurate Wing Chun on film.

WILSON YIP: I was a big fan of Bruce Lee, and I knew that he had trained with Ip Man. When I was younger, some friends of mine had trained in Wing Chun, and showed me some movements. I was always very impressed by what I saw of Wing Chun, but I never really knew a lot about it until I started researching this film...

To read the rest of this article why not take out a subscription by calling +44 (0) 121 351 6930

WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK COMBAT 69

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:49

Page 76

So You Wanna

F.I.G.H.T?

By Darren Le Fevre

Photographs by Michael Pollak

This summer, UK Martial Artist Darren Le Fevre travelled to South Florida in the US to become the first instructor in the UK personally certified by Mike Lee Kanarek to teach the F.I.G.H.T. (Fierce Israeli Guerrilla Hand-to-hand Tactics) programme.

Method of Training Unlike many other systems which teach according to a belt level curriculum, adding techniques according to the rank level and seniority of the student, Haganah trains itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s practitioners in a military version/format. At its core, there are two sets of the 18 most common street attack scenarios to work from. The first set of 18 counterattacks consists of empty hand strategies addressing unarmed assailants and the second set of 18 counterattacks consists of armed threat selfdefence strategies addressing knife threats and attacks at gunpoint.

Training is conducted in parallel in a three-month rotation system.

76 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK

This method has proven very effective as a tool to train people quickly to be able to deploy the Haganah system in combative situations upon completing only three months of training. Practitioners are exposed to the entire core system in that time. You learn and are trained in what would have been reserved as advanced material in other more traditionally structured systems. Once you have a good foundation and have completed several rotations, you then begin training in the armed selfdefence components of Haganah.

These components include Israeli Tactical Knife Fighting (ITK), Israeli Combat Shooting (ICS) and Ground

Survival. Together with F.I.G.H.T. these make up the cornerstones of the system.

Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ethos is that since knife & gun use has become commonplace in most societies, learning to defend against such weapons is simply not enough. An operator must having a good working understanding of these weapons and be able to deploy & use them competently in a stressful environment if they are to have the best possible chance of surviving a violent encounter.

All techniques in the Haganah system lead practitioners to one of three points of reference (destination points) with three objective optionsrestraint, incapacitation, or termination. By limiting the variety of combat strategies, learning time is accelerated and depth of understanding and skill levels are increased.

Practitioners become adept at quickly reading and reacting to attacks and if necessary improvising to achieve these few points of reference. Once achieved, Practitioners feel very confident and comfortable that, even though the engagement may not be over, it is theirs to win. Although common attack scenarios are covered in Haganah, is not a scenario-based system per se. It focuses on achieving certain common objectives in virtually all scenarios, thereby making it easier to learn and more immediately effective than many systems. Unlike many other self-defence systems,

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:42

Page 77

Haganah does not use a hierarchical belt system where it can take years to learn the most effective advanced material. It uses a rotation system where substantially all hand-to-hand combat material is presented within three to four months. Only one belt can be achieved- Black Belt- in recognition of an expert practitioner In 2004 Mike produced a complete DVD series covering every core module of the Haganah system, Including an Instructors series and manuals.

This is what (as a prospective Instructor) I had been studying for the last twelve months and had inspired me to visit the US to train under Mike Lee Kanarek. What is so unique about the system is that the training you receive on the mat in reality is the same in content as you get in the DVD’s and in the manuals. You can attend a class then review exactly what has been learned either on DVD with Mike or via the manual. What this does is enforce correct technique and form and enable the learning process to be further enhanced, however, it is the methodology of the system, which makes it so unique. The F.I.G.H.T. DVD series is an absolute essential for anyone interested in reality based training.”No one has what we have” declares Mike, and this is enforced by the testimony of his students and the new friends I will make over the course of my trip.

“This shit really works!” I am assured by John Clark a Police

S.W.A.T. candidate as he recounts several instances where he has dealt with violent suspects in the course of his duties and his training (or programming) just took over. Two other stories were recounted during my stay. One, an Incident involving a 53 year old student of Mike’s who had saved a women, a victim of a violent street assault, incapacitating her attacker in a matter of seconds. The other, of a serviceman on deployment in Latin America who had “taken out” an enemy hand- to- hand & survived the engagement with minor knife wounds after his weapon jammed on entering a house occupied by the enemy. “ Stories like this are the real reason I train” says Mike.

Certification My certification runs for four days 8am-5pm each day. I am to soon find that unlike a seminar with its discussion, hands on, breaks and time for gentlemanly questions, this is hardcore. 8 hours of solid training on the mat each day for four days covering the entire F.I.G.H.T. programme, the only breaks being for water (and dry clothing!) and a light lunch...

To read more articles like this make sure you get the next issue of Combat available from WH Smiths & all good newsagents

WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK COMBAT 77

Combat1109

BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BCS001/08 BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM

14/10/09 16:49

CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL

SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS

Page 80

LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD

BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM

CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL

SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS

LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD

BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM

CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL

SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS

MASSIVE STOCKS!!!

LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD

BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM

CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL CENTRAL

SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS

ONE STOP FO MARTIAL ART R S NEEDS

EST. 1986

FORMERLY HORNET MARTIAL ARTS

WWW.BC-SPORTS.CO.UK The Leading brand name in martial arts sports wear & equipment, established since 1986

Call us now to put us to the test

34 LOWER ESSEX STREET, BIRMINGHAM, B5 6SN

t: 0121 622 2669 f: 0121 622 2101 OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Monday - Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm SUPPLIERS TO TRADE & RETAIL

FOR THE FINEST IN MARTIAL ARTS EQUIPMENT, CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

Prices are negotiable on bulk orders For the latest price list contact us

VISIT US ONLINE AT

LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD LTD

WWW.BC-SPORTS.CO.UK

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:51

Page 94

FEK001/07

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:44

Page 84

The Big Issue

By Ben Cartlidge

51,390 people gathered at the Kyocera Dome that night in Osaka. K1-Dynamite 2006 was an exciting event that MMA fans from all over the world flocked to see. Traditionally eccentric performances from Genki Sudo and Kazushi Sakuraba whipped the crowd up into a frenzy, but one of the biggest crowd reactions all night was for another fight.

Giant Silva vs Akebono hardly had the makings of Clay Guida vs Diego Sanchez but for the few seconds that the behemoths collided, the whole arena was a sea of noise and energy. In the case of Silva and Akebono you could cynically point to a number of issues, primarily the fact that it looked like a scene from a Gozdilla movie, which promoted the interest of the ticket buying public.

Traditionally the heavyweight divisions in any sport attract a lot of interest from fans and the general public alike. If you were to ask the man in the street about his favourite boxers you would expect to see vast percentages of his choices to be heavyweight fighters. Names like Tyson, Ali, Frazier and Marciano are the status quo in such debates.

MMA has evolved and expanded into the mainstream consciousness and the heavyweight division and its relevance have changed almost as much as the sport has.

On November 12th 1993, when the first ever UFC made its way into the public spotlight on pay-per-view,

Sakuraba vs Gracie

84 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK

it was immediately obvious the impact it would have on combat sports. A sport able to answer what had been previously nothing more than speculation and guesswork over which fighting style was superior. Cross-disciplined martial arts combat was not a new concept.

“Booth Fighting” had been taking place in Brazilian circuses since the 1920’s and Helio Gracie’s legendary bout against Masahiko Kimura in 1955 had given 20,000 fans a small look at MMA in its embryonic stages.

The UFC’s approach to combat sports was so unique because of its early move away from regulated weight divisions. The idea that a true ultimate fighting champion could overcome any obstacle from a contrasting style to a 400lb weight deficit was at the heart of the gladiatorial nature of the UFC. A fighting spirit and belief that founder Rorion Gracie inherited from Helio and his legendary wars in the ring. From the Chaotic beginnings of this great sport it seems that a lot of the fighters that people remember from that time overcame strength and

size frequently.

The very first fight that the UFC ever aired showed Savate champion Gerard Gordeau demolish Teila Tuli in 20 seconds despite being outweighed by 190 lbs. Keith “Giant Killer” Hackney will be forever immortalized by his win over Sumo champion Emmanuel Yarborough as he overcame a colossal 400lb weight differential on his way to a TKO victory. Hackney went on to go 2-2 in the UFC, hardly a stellar record, but is still respected to this day by the MMA community for his warrior spirit and a victory in which he overcame such massive odds.

It was another Gracie who went on to influence public attitudes towards combat sports and challenge the old adage that a good big fighter would always beat a good small fighter. At 6’1 and 175lbs Royce Gracie was one of the smallest combatants in the UFC. However, what he lacked in size and strength he made up for in deadly technique.

Royce used Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to win 3 of the first 4 UFC Tournaments and his first 11 victories all came via submission. His record of 8 consecutive wins in the Octagon stood for nearly 15 years and was only recently surpassed by Anderson Silva.

Gracie was living proof that superior technique could overcome size and strength. The wars that Royce had in the Octagon went on to become some of the most famous in the history of the sport and helped to both establish and immortalize the same values that Helio had fought for decades earlier.

The UFC thrived on this boundary free combat and developed both a following and a large amount of mainstream criticism following its

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:44

Page 85

February 1996 pay per view offering UFC 8: David vs Goliath. Senator John McCain’s now famous quote of “Human Cockfighting” and the campaign that followed forced the UFC to change by embracing stricter rules and regulations. UFC 12 took place in February 1997 and was the first event that the UFC had put on featuring weight classes. The event was split into 2 brackets, over 200lbs and under 199 lbs, and as basic a division as this was it forced the sport to change.

Over the next few years the UFC introduced more and more rulings and regulations to help the sport gain more mainstream acceptance and try and ensure survival. Fighters were now required to wear padded gloves, a number of more dangerous strikes were banned, 5 minute rounds were introduced and UFC abandoned the tournament format in favour of single matches in properly

categorised weight divisions. The heavyweight champions of this era have gone on to become hall of famers and icons and both Mark Coleman and Randy Couture are still contracted in active competition with the UFC to this day.

As the UFC was changing and moving away from the anything goes attitude that had gained it so much popularity and notoriety in seemingly equal amounts, a new promotion in Japan was preparing to put on its first show. Pride Fighting Championships was conceived in 1997 with the sole purpose of promoting the match between Japanese Pro Wrestling legend Nobuhiko Takada and purported champion of Brazilian Vale Tudo Rickson Gracie.

47,000 fans made it to the Tokyo Dome that night to see Rickson defeat Takada but it was clear from the energy that night that this was the start of a special promotion.

Pride continued to hold events and just as the sport of MMA was moving towards its most regulated incarnation in early 2000, an event was announced that would once again ignite the debate that the UFC had originally sought the answer to.

At the start of the new millennium Pride FC began with the preliminary rounds of Pride 2000 Open Weight Grand Prix...

To read the rest of this article why not take out a subscription by calling +44 (0) 121 351 6930

WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK COMBAT 85

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:50

Page 90

al

Part 1

by Stuart Rider

Peasland

How To Have Fun & Stay Safe!

Al Peasland is a bit of an unsung hero, someone that has spent most of his life working with other people behind the scenes.Slowly but surely, Al has created his own take on what works and has created a system of his own that he is about to unleash on the world at large. Als sister, Sharon is he wife of the now well known martial arts author, Geoff Thompson so Al has been around Geoff and his style for a long time, something that Al is very happy to be associated with. However, as people get older, thoughts of what legacy they leave behind tend to surface more frequently and as you will read in this multi part indepth interview, Al has a great deal to offer . . . . Paul S Clifton.

Hi Alan, Martial Artists who concentrate on the self protection side of the arts are probably aware of you and your pedigree but can you tell us how you got involved in the martial arts and what grades you currently hold?

AL PEASLAND: Firstly, may I say a big thank you for inviting me to do this interview and feature in Combat.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very flattering and I thank you for the opportunity to get a mention in the magazine.

A very brief resume of my Martial Arts career to date goes something like this.

I started Shotokan Karate at the age of 12 and graded to 1st Dan with the KUGB. I continued studying Karate and graded up to 3rd Dan with the CEKA affiliated to the JKA.

90 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK

During this time, whilst training predominantly in Karate, I started to diversify and studied Boxing, and qualified as an ABA Assistant Boxing Coach.

During my late teens and early twenties I moved more heavily into the grappling arts and graded in Both Greco Roman Wrestling and Freestyle Wrestling as a Coach and in addition, achieved my 1st Dan in Sambo Russian Wrestling.

My most recent achievement would be 5th Dan Senior instructor grade with the British Combat Association under Geoff Thompson and the legendary Peter Consterdine.

To answer your question in a little more detail, I originally got involved in Martial Arts, probably in the same way as the majority of other youngsters do. I loved all of the martial arts movies and simply wanted to be able to do what they did on the TV. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really know the difference between one martial art to another so it was by pure chance and coincidence that the nearest club to my house was one run

by Geoff Thompson, who was teaching Shotokan Karate out of a local Roller Skating Ring in Longford, Coventry.

My sister and I both went up one Sunday morning to see what it was like and joined the following week.

We had no idea that the club and its sensei would turn out to be such a big name in the Martial Arts and Self Protection world.

The training was very tough, very honest and I have to say, for a young, timid lad, was incredibly scary at times. I think what helped was the fact that I knew nothing else. I simply thought all martial arts clubs trained like this, and gradually learned to live with this very physical method of training.

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:50

Page 91

Everything about the club was heavily biased on the side of adversity, nothing was easy. Whether it was the foot freezingly cold wooden floor, the early Sunday morning classes, the deep stances and aggressive Kata drills or the full contact, and I mean FULL contact line-ups and free sparring.

Animal Days and the no-holds barred fighting came much later but, apart from the lack of ground fighting in these early Karate days, the fights were just as fierce, if not more so.

I passed my 1st Dan grading at the age of 15 and I think it was at this point that I started to recognize just how our training compared with those of other clubs training in the same or similar styles of Karate. It was then that I began to realize we were doing something in our training that a lot of others were perhaps avoiding, and I knew we were onto something special.

The club started to introduce other arts, Boxing, Judo, and Wrestling. All of which came from Geoff’s own search and martial arts path. As instructors go, Geoff was inspirational in that, he’d take himself away to train with the best people he could find and then bring that all back to the club so that we didn’t have to do the travelling. We had amazing instructors come to our club to hold private seminars. We had no ego and were completely open to having a Boxing instructor or a Judo Instructor come to our club to teach us even though officially, we were still a Karate club. I guess you could say we were already Cross Training.

It was Geoff’s connections and search for a broader skills base that brought me into contact with the likes of Kris Whelan, Vladim Kolganov, Jim Burns who then helped me attain grades in my grappling and boxing arts.

In addition, I was privileged to be introduced and train with people such as Peter Consterdine, Rick Young, Bob Spour, Marc McFann, Ian McCranor, the list goes on and on. All of this was possible because Geoff had gone out to seek such instruction and then kindly led these people back to our own little club.

During my late teens I trained heavily in both striking and grappling arts. I trained twice daily as Geoff’s private uke, as well as sessions on my own or at the club.

I was studying for an Engineering Degree so was lucky that I could find spare time to squeeze in training sessions before and after lectures.

I also started to work nightclub doors, another introduction Geoff had given me, and so my training went up another notch in order to deal with this added pressure.

As Nietzsche said, if you have a good enough reason why, you can suffer any number of hows. Or something like that. Basically, what I mean is, if you have a genuine and strong enough reason why you should do something, nothing will stand in your way. And during my door years, that was a pretty good reason to get myself into the gym and train hard. The more shifts on the door I worked, the more sessions per week I’d train.

Looking back, these are probably my best years of training. I was surrounded by fantastic martial artists on a daily basis, training with some of the best instruction I could find and testing it all to the limits both in the Animal Day sessions and also on the nightclub doors.

In total, I’ve now been training 24 years, and love it more now than I ever have. My training has changed considerably since those Animal Day years, but I think I had to go through that to get where I am now.

WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK COMBAT 91

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:51

Page 100

WAKO European Cadet

Championships Pula Croatia October 2009

Written by Master Cris Janson-Piers WAKO GB Executive Director and Head of GB Ringsports

WAKO have done it once again! It appears that the decision of such bodies as the IOC, GAISF, WADA and Sportaccord have now been totally confirmed in supporting WAKO as the World Governing Body to Kickboxing. A massive turn out in Croatia by all the national squads has shown the pace WAKO is still continuing to grow.

Next years World Martial Arts Games in Beijing will highlight WAKO’s professionalism and will be the showcase for the organisation when only fighters representing WAKO (who still may be selected from any group within Great Britain) will be selected to fight at the games. Just another small step nearer to possible Olympic recognition or involvement!

Pula, in Croatia was the hub of martial arts activity for the WAKO Junior and Cadet European Championships in the last week of September. The venue was the main sports arena in Pula and all competitors were placed within three hotels within a massive self contained complex with every imaginable activity on hand and the beach literally in the back garden.

100 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK

This report is based around the main activity of GB ring sports as an independent report relating to all the other styles will be submitted shortly by the Tatami section of WAKO. It was clear from the start that opinions and letters directed to the World President of WAKO from last year had been listened to and many simple and basic improvements were in place. Competitions of such a great size take a long time to organise and clear messages have to be passed on to the next host country. The Croatians were found to be very polite and hospitable which made the busy week much easier to handle.

The food was excellent and the transport to and from the venue was very well organised, always a main concern of the travellers and

fighters. The hotel also had many other bars, restaurants and entertainment centres.

The referee and judges seminars were very informative and this year saw the introduction of the electronic (Olympic type) scoring system to the ring sport section. WAKO has successfully introduced the electronic “Easy-Scoring” system into light continuous sparring over the last few years and took the decision to cover the full contact disciplines in this manner also, from this year on.

Obviously some people doubted it but I actually sat and listened intensely and agreed that after a few tweaks to suit WAKO full contact rulings (which were very simple and done on the day) it was ready to go.

It was a huge success which means WAKO are now fully and electroni-

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:48

Page 101

cally organised as per the Olympics and the AIBA boxing.

It was nice to see so much involvement from all the countries and competitors within WAKO, some in larger numbers than others but they were there and ready for the challenge ahead. The pre fight entertainment at the opening ceremony was excellent and involved traditional as well as modern dancers from Croatia and a top opera singer.

The disciplines included in the ring sports section were, Full Contact, Low Kick and K1. The junior and cadet section is growing year by year and the standard is growing at a great rate of knots too.

Russia was out in force as usual and ended up in forty seven of the finals

within the ring, yes they are no doubt the force to be reckoned with inside the ropes. However, many of the countries rose to that challenge and chipped away at that number by beating their fighters in very hard fought but decisive final battles.

Regarding officials in the ring sports sections, it did seem to lack in numbers (in this area) and is something all countries will have to realise including ourselves if we want to see more impartial decisions. Although we do have many qualified â&#x20AC;&#x153;Aâ&#x20AC;? class officials and they are paid for each day they work they still have to meet their own travel expenses for this type of competition, hence the low numbers available to officiate.

Russia supplied half of the ring offi-

cials for this event and I must say that the judging on the day appeared to be very fair.

Now the physical step by step scores are viewable by all, it makes sure that the officials keep their eye on the game and give a fair interpretation of the fight which in due course improves attention to all clean scoring technique and accuracy. I found it very easy to coach my fighter from the information displayed also!...

To read the rest of this article why not take out a subscription by calling +44 (0) 121 351 6930

WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK COMBAT 101

TAG001/05

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:51

Page 99

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:51

Page 102

NEW ARRIVALS! Brand new FORCE equipment that KNOCKS-OUT the competition.

FORCE HANDS Available in a range of attractive colours in four different sizes.

FORCE FOOT Various sizes are available with fully adjustable wide elasicated straps and velcro fastening.

BESPOKE DESIGNS Whatever your sport we can manufacture garments and badges to your requirments.

IN HOUSE SERVICE STM Force offer ‘in house’ computerised embroidery service.

DESIGNED BY MARTIAL ARTISTS FOR MARTIAL ARTISTS

SPECIAL OFFER

to all Combat readers (November 2009 only)

KARATE SUITS FROM £5.99 (excluding vat)

STM001/02

Factory: S.T.M. (Force) Limited. Force Buildings, 145-147 Northfield Road, Coventry, England CV1 2BQ TEL: 024 7652 0631 FAX: 024 7663 3303 info@stmforce.co.uk www.stmforce.co.uk

Showroom: 500 Foleshill Road, Foleshill, CV6 5HP TEL: 024 7668 1732 MOBILE: 07918 743629

IS THE NAME OF THE GAME

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:52

Page 104

First Special Needs Martial Arts Tournament Hailed a Success!

David Lieder

The first annual All Star Specially Challenged Martial Arts Championships were held recently in Tomball, Texas. This first ever AAU sanctioned Special Needs event was hosted by ALL-STAR MARTIAL ARTS and INSPIRING POSSIBILITIES, both AAU taekwondo clubs. In total, 65 specially challenged martial artists from around the country participated in forms, weapons, board breaking and sparring (including wheelchair).

Styles participating this year included TaeKwonDo, Karate and Kung Fu. This championship was for special martial artists with disabilities including but not limited to: Autism, Down-Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, mental retardation, paraplegics, dwarfism, etc.

This was not a tournament that just added a division for special needs, it was designed solely to celebrate the accomplishments of individuals.

While some of the competitors were highly competitive others were excited at just receiving a medal and support from the crowd. All competitors, while receiving their medals, were given hugs by the judges and cheers from the spectators. Twenty AAU Taekwondo certified officials from Texas judged the competitors, while their hearts melted as each competitor performed.

104 COMBAT WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK

Many individuals and corporations made financial donations to help make this event possible. Also and to help make this event a success, 32 students of ALL-STAR MARTIAL ARTS participated in a Break-A-Thon on the 2nd of May, raising in excess of $3000. The boards broken at the Break-A-Thon, as well as those at the tournament, were graciously donated by Plymouth Pine of Middleboro, MA. In attendance providing motivation and autographs were Master Karen Eden (a well known martial arts author) and the First Family of Taekwondo (The Lopez FamilyJean, Steven & Mark).

Also volunteering at the event were AAU National TKD team members, Andrea Kovacs, and Region 9 director Mark Giambi’s competition team, G-Force.

Mark Giambi said “It was a fantastic event and that has great potential for growth. There is a need for events such as this. Everyone participating had fun and were all winners, competitors, officials, VIP guests and spectators alike. I can see possibilities of this developing into a National event for the AAU some day.”

The host David & Christy Lieder deemed the event a huge success and are already planning the 2nd annual event in the summer of 2010.

With the support we have received through the AAU, this event is sure to get even bigger and better next year.

It is our desire that more martial arts schools open their doors to allow special individuals such as these to experience the many benefits of the martial arts and to be able to demonstrate at events such as this.

Combat1109 rgb

17/11/09 14:52

Page 105

To read more articles like this make sure you get the next issue of Combat available from WH Smiths & all good newsagents WWW.COMBATMAG.CO.UK COMBAT 105

Combat1109

15/10/09 10:31

Page 107

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S COMING...

The Ultimate The Ultimate Guide Guide to to Everything Everything Martial Martial Arts Arts

Will you be in it?

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be M A D not to!

For aa free For free information information pack pack e-mail e-mail us us at at MAD@martialartsinprint.com MAD@martialartsinprint.com or or call call us us on: on: 0121-344-3737 0121-344-3737 // 0121-356-7616 0121-356-7616

Combat1109

14/10/09 16:56

Page 147

NAK001/07

14/10/09 16:56

Page 148

CIM001/15

Combat1109

SS NEW ADDRE