Te Awamutu close to Hamilton was the venue for the WAKO Judgement day tournament.
13 fights were on the crad for this prestigious WAKO event. A series of tournaments are held through the year with the annual finale held in Te awamutu. This years event was to host two National title fights, and one Regional championship. Fighters from across the country took part including – Huntly Kickboxing, Fight Club Whakatane, Town N Town Hamilton. Kotago Ryu Karate Whakatane. Toa Fighting Systems in Auckland, and also in Invercargill. Hamlton Kickboxing, Tauranga Kickboxing, King Country Kickboxing, and the local organising club for WAKO, Phantom Kickboxing Te Awamutu.
Promoter and President Rick Dobson was extremely pleased with the turn out, not only of the amount of spectators, but the quality of matches. WAKO Full Contact rules is over waist kicks, no knees, and a minimum of 6 kicks per round. As President Rick says, "Many fighters actually find this discipline quite taxing as they must get a minimum number of kicks per round out, and they must be kicking over the waist. So it tests the fighters ability". WAKO also follows the K1 rules, but this fight only held the over waist kicks fights.
There were some great newcomers in the ring, namely 16year old Cody Brookes from Huntly. His first time in the competitive ring, after switching form semi-contact where he'd represented New Zealand at the WAKO world Championships in Croatia as a junior last year. Cody met Town N Town fighter 18year old Kaaran watene and the fight was stopped in the 2nd round by the referee after Brooks onslaught to the older fighter. "Young Brooks has a confidence in the ring not often seen in a new comer" stated Referee Maurice O'Connor.
Wiki Tutaki of King Country Kickboxing was meant to fight an Australian opponent but they pulled out the week prior, so Bruno Butler of Whakatane Karate steped in. The fight was put on earlier in the night as it had no title but Butler put on a good fight against the 2 times national champion Tutaki that the whakatane coach Henry Kokiri requested a re-match but this time for the title. This will be held in March at Tauranga.
The regional Title was between Shaye Brooks of Huntly who is the holder and Ryan marsh of Tauranga. This was a great fight with Brooks hlding onto the title. Brooks is fighting in Portugal in November at the WAKO world Championships.
A fantastic demonstration by IMPACT TAE KWON DO showed the incredible accuracy and speed of these guys, even placing cans around Rick Dobsons head and groin, with 4th degree and multiple Gold meddalist Mark Trotter kicking them off Rick with lighning speed.
The District mayor Alan Livingstone took to the ring, and gave a speech honouring Rick and Wife Adele for their work in putting these shows on, before the National title fighters took to the ring. Promoter, Rick Dobson, mayor Alan Livingstone and the fighters for the two National championships stood in the ring while the anthem played. the crowd went wild at the end before the fights began. Fist fight out was Becky wallace of Te Awamutu against Georgie Tutaki of King Country kickboxing in Te Kuiti. Both girls danced their way onto the ring to fantastic applause. This was a particularly hard fight for the WAKO President Rick, as Georgie is a member of the National squad preparing for the World championships in Portugal, and becky is a personal fighter from his own gym in Te Awamutu. This was an exciting fight but georgie was too fast for becky, delivering blow after blow. She'd obviously worked hard in her speed preparation, taking the win and becoming the National Light Heavyweight Champion of New Zealand. Later in the evening, Rick took a call from Great Britain and the WAKO Professional Kickboxing manager, requesting that the newly crowned Femal champion fight in Great Britain next year against the present World Champion. Rick took this straight to Georgie and the challenge was accepted.
The next, and final fight was between, Pete 'Sugar Rush' Thompson of Invercargill against 'Lethal' Leith Trail of Tauranga. This was deemed to be a fabulous match: Pete, the former Light Heavyweight National champion, who had dropped weight to fight at Middleweight. A former International who had fought in Hungary at the world championships. Leith presently on the National team to fight in Portugal in November at the World Championships, who recently fought for the Light Middleweight title and had increased weight to fight at Middlweight. Both fighters entered the ring to great support. The fight was very technical, Leith fighting straight down the middle while Pete continually tried spinning techniques, some rocking leith but never affecting him. Both fighters fought good and hard but Peter took the points decision.
The Sponsors on the evening were: Xtreme Nuitrion of Te Awamutu. The Redoubt Bar of Te Awamutu and Top Ten Martial Arts equipment based in Auckland for NZ.
Next year, WAKO Full Contact/K1 fights are diaried for: Tauranga in March, Te Kuiti in April, July in Auckland, and October in Te Awamutu. With Fighting trips to Great Gritain in August and Italy in November. SEmi-Contact tournaments will be announced.
For further interest in WAKO, its competitions and/or joining the association contact [email protected] or ring 07 870 4334
