Once again the TUNZ extended the olive branch to members of all WTF organizations in the spirit of unification and to support the establishment of ‘Taekwondo New Zealand’ by inviting participants from outside of the TUNZ to compete in this years Nationals. Held for the first time ever in Blenheim at Stadium 2000, on the […]
(Photos by Sebastian Troen) All trainers and fighters should prepare as if their fight is the most important in their careers. And it could be – people tend to remember you no further back than your last fight… This article is for coaches, preparing that fighter who has reached a higher level – a professional […]
One of my favourite fighters in the 1970's was the big Tongan swinger Fonomanu Sekona. He was known as "Young" Sekona because his Christian name was a bit of a handful and the sportswriters never spelt it correctly. I recently caught up with the big Tongan at his house in Mangere, Auckland. "Young" Sekona was […]
One of my favourite grapplers from my young days in the 1950’s was the good looking young adonis Gene Stanlee. Gene passed away last month. In the 1955 pictures he is seen with his brother Steve. I was in their fan-club during the 50’s. Gene did not visit New Zealand as he was always too […]
"We can fight standing up." Explained San Kim Sean, Grand Master of Khmer Bokator. At more than sixty years old, he looked as if he was in his forties, but moved like a man much younger. He throws a kick at me, similar to the round house, used in Khmer Boxing. The kick missed, and […]
Developing your own style or game in BJJ or Grappling sometimes can be one of the most confusing things for the beginning to intermediate level student. Should I be a guard player and if so open or closed. Or maybe a half guard specialist. What about playing from the top, always keeping the pressure to […]
© Marc Wickert www.knucklepit.com All photos copyright 2004 Zuffa LLC Photography by Joshua Hedges This was another action-packed card that showed off some of the world’s elite fighters. Two bouts that were particularly of interest were Paul Buentello vs Kevin Jordan, and Andrei Arlovski vs Justin Eilers. It was a great opportunity for MMA enthusiasts […]
Sad to report the passing of one of England's great professional wrestlers "Judo Al Hayes". Al was an icon of British wrestling from the 1950's to the 1970's. Later he went to the U.S.A. to wrestle successfully for some years before joining the W.W.F. as an on-air personality. He became known as Lord Alfred Hayes, […]
Barry Keene was without doubt one of the finest wrestlers I ever saw in 60 years of watching wrestling contests. The smaller boys like Barry, Brian "Buddy" Coyle, "Jumping" Joe Andrews, and "Wild" Don Scott, all worked for Ernie Pinches in the South Pacific Wrestling Association in Auckland. Having spent time in England and Europe, […]
New Zealand continued it's fight back onto the international WTF tournament circuit with Auckland's Dafydd Sanders winning a Silver Medal in the men's heavyweight final during the 1st Oceania Taekwondo Championships. Tauranga's Ben Hardie also competed with success falling short of the bronze medal in the men's featherweight division by just one fight and after […]