The Academy of Combat in Christchurch has been very busy over the last few months. One of our most promising female fighters, Karen Lynch, won the recent World’s first 8 Women’s Kickboxing K-1 style Tournament (WKB-1) on Saturday July 31, in Taupo promoted by Scotty Thompson. Karen began by KO’ing her quarterfinal opponent in 30 secs of the 1st round. Then KO-ed an Australian Thai boxing and 3 times Golden Gloves champion, Shari Ranger, in 2minutes 30 seconds of the 1st round to win the semi-final.
In the final she KO-ed 2 times World Thai boxing champion, Julie Wood from Auckland in 2 minutes of the 1st round.
Thanks for the great show Scotty it was a great presentation with excellent support matches.
Karen 22 is the current NZ TBANZ, super-lightweight and NZ WMC lightweight champion, with 8 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw, 1 win by TKO and 3 by KO.
Karen has been selected to represent New Zealand at the WMC world championships in Thailand in the beginning of December where she will fight competitors from all over the world in a weeklong event.
In addition Scott Benson from the Academy of Combat defended his NZ WMC welterweight title, for the 2nd time this year at the same event, KO’ing his opponent in the 4th round with a knee.
Scott has since competed in the Australasian Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu championships, winning his blue belt division, and recently returned from fighting Australian Mixed Martial Arts champ, Ian Schaffe at the first Warriors Realm Mixed Martial Arts event on the Sunshine Coast on the 3rd of September. With only 5 days notice Scott put up a great fight to go the distance with the points decision going to Ian. Both fighters were awarded, in a special presentation, Warriors Realm gladiator swords for the fight of the night.
Scott and I would both like to thank Shane and Louisa Balmer for giving Scott the opportunity to fight at the event and also for looking after us so well while we were over there.
The Academy also promoted another Thai boxing and Mixed Martial Arts (Vale Tudo) competition on Saturday, Sept 18 in Christchurch at Harry’s on Gloucester in which Thai Kick boxers and Vale Tudo fighters from throughout New Zealand competed.
Results:
JP Thomas of Nelson Thai Boxing defeated Rob Gowan of Kapiti Thai Boxing with a points decision in a 3 round Thai boxing match.
Toni Bonica of the Academy of Combat defeated Edward Maunsell from Kokuryu Ninjitsu, Wellington, with a second round armbar submission in a scheduled 3×5 mins Vale Tudo match.
Wesley Richards of Kapiti Thai Boxing defeated Justin Thornley from the Academy of Combat with a 1st round TKO in a scheduled 3 round Thai boxing match.
Suzanne Marsh from the Academy of Combat defeated Keryn Daniela of Samson Thai Boxing with a points decision in a 3 round Thai boxing match.
Tony Mazur from Kapiti Thai Boxing defeated David Milne from the Academy of Combat with a points decision in a 3 round Thai boxing match.
Peter Aberdeen of Free Style Thai Boxing, Porirua, defeated Andrew Dearsley from the Academy of Combat with a points decision in a 3x5mins Vale Tudo match.
Sam Moore from the Academy of Combat defeated Ben Krul of Nelson Thai Boxing by TKO after Ben could not come out for the 3rd round.
Martin Humphries from Free Style Thai Boxing, Porirua defeated Karl Hotai of Pacific Thai Boxing, Porirua with a points decision in a 3 round Thai boxing match.
Jason Branks of the Academy of Combat defeated Babak Jamshidkhan from Kokuryu Ninjitsu, Wellington, with a 1st round triangle choke submission in a scheduled 3×5 mins Vale Tudo match.
Tabatha May from Free Style Thai Boxing, Porirua defeated Anna Kershaw from the Academy of Combat with a points decision in a 3 round Thai boxing match.
I would like to thank all the fighters and trainers who took part and made the event a great success.
