9 fighters, between CARISMA, CUKBS and ARUKBC, participated in a Light Contact Competition organized by Pete Dunnet and the Combat Academy Kickboxing in Thurston (near Bury St. Edmund, Suffolk).

The overall results are extremely encouraging:

Andrea Cristofaro(*): second
Andrew Gillham: winner
Carlos Virvez(*): second
Heidi Holmes: winner
Ian Chau: second
James Waddell: winner
Nas Salmi(*): second
Robin Turner: second
Sam Goldsheider: second

(*) people at their first kickboxing competition

CARISMA fighters showed once more to have a distinct style, good technique and all those qualities that a martial artist should have by definition: even those at their first experience entered competently the tournament and stood their ground with good performance.

Please have a look at the videos:

Andrea Cristofaro

Andrew Gilham

Carlos Virvez

Heidi Holmes

Ian Chau

James Waddell

Nas Salmi

Robin Turner

Sam GoldScheider

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Please have a look at this video about James Waddell’s fights at the recent University Championship 2009 in Canterbury – Kent.  The first half shows the semifinal against Peter Stoval (from CUKBS as well) where he wins.  The second pert of the video video is the final where he gets his national title:

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Please have a look at these two videos about Heidi Holmes’ fights at the recent University Championship 2009 in Canterbury – Kent.  The first video shows the 3 bouts where she wins brilliantly (first two for technical KO).  The second video is the final where she gets her title:

Any comment is appreciated, as usual.

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The Cambridge University Kickboxing Society celebrated a great success with 2 national titles at the University Kickboxing Championships 2009 held in Canterbury, Kent on Sunday 1 March.  Heidi Holmes from Darwin College, fighting in the under 58Kg category, managed to defeat 3 opponents before qualify for the final and winning brilliantly against a very skilled opponent. James Waddell from Magdalene College, fighting in the under 82Kg category, managed to defeat 4 opponents in order to qualify for the final and winning by unanimous decision against a very aggressive opponent.

University Championship 2009

CUKBS had large group of participants including people that just 10 days before were fighting in the Varsity match against Oxford: unfortunately though none of the Varsity winners could make this event. Other fighters representing CUKBS were: Heley Matthews, Leo Schwartz, Sam Goldsheider, Peter Stovall, Frank Gorringe, Dinike Jayamaha and Ian Chau: the last three fighting in their first competition.

The competition hosted over 200 fighters from university kickboxing clubs from around the country and it was a true challenge given the house rules: full contact was allowed to the body while controlled (light) contact was required for face strikes.

Massimo Gaetani, head coach for CARISMA and CUKBS commented: “I am extremely pleased of these results.  At this competition as well as during the Varsity match we demonstrated that superior technique is a winning factor. Now at our second year of collaboration I can see a great improvement in the performance of the individual members as well as a very strong motivation of the team as a whole.    We are already training toward next years competitions”

Leo Schwartz, CUKBS president, added: “We were extremely happy with the way CUKBS performed at the University Championships. All our fighters acquitted themselves with style and showed a lot of fighting spirit. Standing out was James Waddell’s devastating round-kicks to the head and spinning-back side kicks. Heidi also devastated two of her opponents in the first round with relentless combos resulting in two technical knockouts in her first two bouts! We were disappointed to find out that Frank after decimating his poor opponent with obviously superior technical skill was failed by the judges decision but are confident he will prove a fearsome opponent in future years. Finally all our boys in the 82kg and below category did fantastically, all reaching the semi-finals with a good combination of punching and kicking techniques executed in fluid combinations. Many thanks to all those who helped out, the future looks very promising for CUKBS”

We would like to thank Soren for the precious help in dealing with the organizers and support with the coaching, Chris for photos and driving and Bradley for the video filming.

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Please have a look at these two videos out of the Varsity 2009 kickboxing fights against Oxford University:
Heidi Holmes (on the right wearing vest and trousers with red stripe) v Alison Evans. Heidi fights well throghout the match although Alison has a height and reach advantage that allows her to win:

Rupert Goodway (on the right wearing black head guard) v Naoya Koda. Rupert here demonstrates superior technique and a nice repertoire of strikes managing to score many times with kicks to the head, including several axe kicks:

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Please have a look at these two videos out of the Varsity 2009 kickboxing fights against Oxford University:
Veronika Kantorovich (on the right with black headguard) v Cicely Marshall: Veronica wins brilliantly demonstrating superior technique and a great repertoire of strikes that is simply overwelming Cicely:

Josh Jenkins (red gloves on the right) and Jack Ceadel.  The result is very close and Jack is winner.

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A great result of 4 for Cambridge and 5 for Oxford considering the number of relatively inexperienced fighters.  The score was also impressive when compared to previous years: CUKBS have come a long way since the first time they fought Oxford in 2007.

The Varsity 2009 Team

All of the 9 fighters (see picture above) demonstrated good round technical skills and fitness preparation, managing their energy well till the end of each fight. While Oxford based their strategy on sheer power and very basic techniques all Cambridge competitors, including some experiencing their first time in the ring, showed competent skill, well paced attacking and defending strategies and a good repertoire of strikes.

The show took place in the picturesque Cambridge Union Society, surrounded by a noisy crowd of supporters.  It started with a demo fight between Andrew Gilham representing CARISMA and Robin Turner representing Anglia Ruskin University Kickboxing Club, although also a CARISMA member himself.  Both Andrew and Robin performed well and finished in a draw.

The Varsity fights were:

Chris Webb v James Richardson: Chris winner
Josh Jenkins v Jack Ceadel: Jack winner
Veronika Kantorovich v Cicely Marshall: Veronica winner
Heidi Holmes v Alison Evans: Alison winner

Rupert Goodway v Naoya Koda: Rupert winner
James Waddell v Zac Etheridge: Zac winner
Peter Stovall v Borna Guevel: Borna winner
Sam Goldscheider v Jeff Douglass: Jeff winner
Ollie Okunsunle v Andrew Duniec: Ollie winner

Varsity 2009

We would like to thank everybody who helped with the show: Chris, Colin and Duncan with photography, James with video footage, and the great support from Cambridge University students, CUKBS, CARISMA and ARKBC members that contributed to turn this event into a show (see picture below).  Training is not over as CUKBS will be at the 2009 University Championship in Canterbury (Kent).

Leo Schwartz, President of CUKBS commented: “The 3rd Annual Varsity Tournament was a great success! The crowd were fantastic and the fights were some of the best we’ve ever had at Varsity, professional and well-matched. We unfortunately lost 5-4 but it was neck and neck all the way to the end. Congratulations to all who took part and many thanks to everyone who made it possible. Watch this space for info on videos and pictures, coming soon.”

Please keep an eye on this link for the next posts about pictures and videos.  If you were at the show please leave a comment with your impressions, just click below.

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Here is a message from Chris Webb, Varsity coach:

Hi kickboxers,

as you know, our annual Varsity kickboxing match is to be held at the Union 7pm this friday (20th). Come support your friends and raise the roof in what is going to be an action packed night. £5 for non-members, £4 for CUKBS members and free to union members. The line up is as follows:

Demo
Chris Webb v James Richardson
Josh Jenkins v Jack Ceadel
Veronika Kantorovich v Cicely Marshall
Rupert Goodway v Naoya Koda

(interval)

James Waddell v Zac Etheridge
Pete Stovall v Borna Guevel
Sam Goldscheider v Andy Douglass
Heidi Holmes v Alison Evans
Ollie Okunsunle v Andrew Duniec

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We would like to invite all of our members and followers to watch the Varsity 2009 Kick Boxing fights on the 20 February 2009.  Nine members of Cambridge University Kickboxing Society (CUKBS), both male and female, will fight against Oxford opponents in 3 x 1.5 min rounds Light Continuous Kickboxing.

The show will be held at the Cambride Union and tickes will be available soon at their office.  CUKBS members remember your termcard for your discount.

As known CARISMA is the official coach for CUKBS and this is the opportunity of seeing several CARISMA members in action so please come and support us.

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11 fighters, between CARISMA and CUKBS, participated in a Light Contact Competition organized by Pete Dunnet and the Combat Academy Kickboxing in Thurston (near Bury St. Edmund, Suffolk).

The overall results are extremely encouraging:

Chris Webb: winner
Luca Senatore: second (due to a penalty, excess contact)
Robin Turner: second
Aaron Lewis: second
Ollie Osunkunle (*): winner (opponent had to stop)
Rupert Goodway: second
Andrew Gillham: winner
Richard Kirkland (*): draw (one penalty)
Rosie Snajdr (*): draw
Josh Genkins (*): second
Chris Wilson (*): second

(*) indicates first time at a competition

CARISMA as usual displayed good technique, respect for the rules and professionalism. A number of coaches and masters from various clubs complimented Massimo Gaetani, head coach for CARISMA, about these qualities.

CARISMA fighters showed to have a distinct style, good technique and all those qualities that a martial artist should have by definition: even those at their first experience entered competently the tournament and stood their ground with good performance.

Follow the available videos of the fights:

Chris Webb, grey head guard and white footpads

Luca Senatore, black outfit

Robin Turner, red gloves

Ollie Olaskunle, red head guard, black gloves

Josh Jenkins, black head guard, red gloves

Rupert Goodway, black head guard

Richard Kirkland, red head guard

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