The WORLD ASSOCIATION of KICKBOXING ASSOCIATIONS (NZ) (WAKO (NZ), held its first 'New Zealand National' Full Contact Championships at Te Awamutu on 2nd July. Initially three title fights were booked for the evening with 9 fights on the under-card to warm the crowd up. Local Heavyweight favourite 'Bad Boy' Brad Johanson was unfortunately scratched from the event due to his opponent being unable to attend and no replacement worthy of putting up a good fight against Johanson could be found. The night 'Kicked off' at 6.15 after an introduction by New Zealand National WAKO President Rick Dobson, himself a former British and European champion and former World Title contender. Ricks job for WAKO is to promote and develop kickboxing in New Zealand and produce a National Team to attend the World Championships each year.

A Number of different clubs and styles put out fighters on this prestigious event, Competitors from Toa Fighting systems of Auckland and Whakatane's Kotaga Ryu Karate mixed it up with The Phantom Kickboxing clubs of Te Awamutu, Cambridge, Otorohanga, Putaruru and Tauranga, Huntly Kickboxing, Glenview Martial Arts of Hamilton, Waikato Freestyle Martial Arts of Hamilton and Te Aroha Karate. A good mix of styles made this event a great spectators night out, even the All Blacks test and the Cold night couldn't stop the Martial Arts enthusiasts coming out to Te Awamutu events centre to support their local warriors.

There were some very close matches and with the majority of the under-card being newcomers to WAKO Kickboxing they were out to prove their worth in front of the New Zealand team selectors hoping to get their names known for next years team. This years team was being finalised from the National title fights held on this event and the selectors weren't disappointed. The Middle weight Title fight between Wiki 'Whirlwind' Tutaki, a Te Kuiti guy training and fighting out of Otorohanga Kickboxing was matched against Leith Trail of Tauranga, both weighed in at exactly 71kgs. Both fighters came out very aggressive and were matching toe to toe for the first two rounds with Tutaki taking the final round to be the first ever New Zealand Middle Weight National Champion and securing his place on the National team. The final fight of the evening was the Light Heavy weight National title competition between, Peter 'Sugar Rush' Thompson of Toa Fighting Systems in Auckland against Doug McWatters of Cambridge. Another exciting battle which went the distance but Thompsons wider Martial Arts experience took the majority of points throughout the match, crowning Peter Thompson the first Light Heavy weight New Zealand Champion, and also booking his seat on the flight to Hungary for a shot at a World Title. Brad Johanson was offered a place on the National team to take up the heavyweight place. Johanson will fight in October for the vacant Heavyweight title again to be held at Te Awamutu events centre.

Any fighters or clubs wishing to become involved in the rise of W.A.K.O. (NZ) competition can give Rick a call on 0800 542 548 or E mail at [email protected]