Young Competitors Kokoro Cup

On 17th May took place the Kokoro Cup Juniors tournament. Although fights were in an open formula (no weight categories), there arrived one of the best Polish fighters to Bielany in Warsaw. Among these fighters were medalists: European junior Championships, America Junior Championships, Polish Junior Championships, and even Polish Senior Championships so it evolved great emotions and very spectacular fights.

After an opening of the tournament ceremony by sensei Mariusz Mazur, children from BKKK stepped on the mat. They presented some hits in kihon formula, Robert Rasiński showed kata and directed fight between Jakub Pyda and Damian Jóźwiak. That all made very good impression on the audience which was awarded with a loud applause. The judges in superb composition: sensei Bogdan Lubos, sensei Remigiusz Karpiński, sensei Mariusz Godoś, sensei Marek Krejpcio and sensei Tomasz Lenkiewicz appeared a moment later on tatami. This beginning marked and the real leadership of fights and guaranteed a marvelous competition.

In first fight fought: Marcin Prachnio (current master of Polish Junior Championships) and Hubert Bysiak (master of Senior Championship in 2009). From the very beginning of the fight Marcin attacked confidently. He combined hand strikes with dangerous kicks. Although Hubert was presented brave edging, he made some mistakes in the defense some and was hit with a roundabout kick on his head with mawashi-geri jodan twice. As a result Marcin won before the end of the fight.

In the second fight Maciek Mazur weighing almost 80kg met with a fighter from Ełk – over than 100kg Piotr Boniecki. When Piotrek stepped forward, observers could think, that his fate is settled. However strong kicks and hits caused that Maciek was in a defense. But just a moment of inattention resulted in an amazing mawashi-geri jodan kick presented by Maciek and Piotrek fell on a mat. Maciek won through ipon.

In the next fight we could see unusually talented and very well technically trained two fighters: Marcin Uroda from Opole and Mateusz Danielewicz from Olecko. Mateusz, weighing 10kgs more than Marcin, did not have mercy over his rival. However Marcin did not surrender and tried to stop him with a fast kick from turn and a round one. This was successful in the play-off and judges gave Marcin wazari for mawashi geri jodan kick. It had a decisive influence on his victory in this duel.

Next fight was a meeting between Noy Matsakanian from Warsaw and Igor Lamot from Wroclaw. This was an unusual duel as judges were able to point out the winner after only two play-offs. In this time spectacular Noy’s style of fight was not so effective as usual. Igor showed a great defense against high kicks and counter-attacked consistently. At the end of the second play-off he got superiority and became the winner.

Next somewhat heavier competitors appeared a on mat. Weighing about 90kg Filip Olszewski from Opole and over 100kg Michał Rak from Warsaw. Michael fought intensively from the first seconds and it seemed, that he wants to crush his enemy. Although Filip fillip had to back out he still hit and kicked trying to break Michał. Hurricane attacks of the Warsaw’s fighter did not bring to score before time. They caused however, that he dropped from strengths and the fight was very levelled. Olszewski Filip won this fight after two play-offs. Filip was 13kg lighter than Michał.

Sixteen years old Mateusz Krejpcio from Suwalki and Filip Popiel from Warsaw pitted in sixth fight that evening. Both light weighing (about 70 kg), fast and very good technically they created an interesting spectacle. First round was a continuous exchange of blows, in which both tried to surprise each other’ enemy by showy kicks and win before time. However, there was a draw and a play-off began. Filip dropped with strengths and Mateusz decided to use it. He attacked decisively finishing off every combination with a showy Kick. Thanks to this he got optical superiority and judges had not doubt showing just him as a winner this fight.

Fight between Michał Malesa from Bielański Klub Kyokushin Karate and Marcin Steprowski from Ełk finished a qualifying round of Young Competiotors Kokoro Cup tournament. After “hajime” command, beginning every fight of karate, Michał moved to attack, combining the kick with hitting his hands in interesting combinations. Among them were also high kicks like: kakato-geri or ushiro-mawashi-geri. Michał's versatility and large strength hitting caused, that Martin was pushed down to defence. Michał's clear superiority was noticed by judges and he was promoted to the next round.

The attractive demonstration of fitness in realization of instructresses from the Forest club made pleasant the expectation of quarter-finals. Quarter-finals were announced very interestingly.

First we saw Marcin Prachnio (coached by sensei Rafal Tomala in Mazowiecki Klub Karate Kyokushin) and Maciek Mazur from Bielany. It was thought that the older, having larger experience in fights with a full strength of hitting Marcin will deal with Maciek easily and will be promoted to semi-final. The audience cheerred on the son of having 40th birthday of Mariusz Mazur. Marcin as usual, began very dynamically trying to surprise his rival by mawashi-geri jodan kick. However Maciek's tight guard caused that he could not score any point. The representative of Karate attacked his enemy's trunk using the hiza-geri and mawashi-geri chudan kicks. In the first round no competitor got superiority and it came to play-off. There, it turned out, that Maciek's tactics is very effective. Kicks on trunk broke Martin clearly and they caused, that he started mainly protecting himself and forgot about the attack. Maciek's superiority was so large, that judges after the first play-off decided about his victory. The audience from Bielany was crazily happy.

Because Martin was not able Mateusz Danielewicz and Igor Lamot fought in the second quarter-final. Both unusually versatile and ambitious competitors showed how to fight with a full commitment. Matthew presented himself better and then was promoted to the best four of this tournament.

In the next fight warlike Filip Olszewski squared up with Mariusz Gabrysiak from Wroclaw. Mariusz, keeping the tight guard pushed front presenting strong hitting and short combinations of blows. Filip tried to cross his defense, but it was not easy. Fight was even and none of the competitors absolved even for a moment. Suddenly, in the play-off Mariusz, kicked on head and got the wazzari. Filip tried to do punctual loss, but this did not happen and so Mariusz Gabrysiak won.

Next quarter-final duel did not take place, because Michael's enemies were not able to undertake the challenge. He was promoted to the next round.

When happy semi-finalists gathered strength to next round, current Polish champions (Mateusz Krejpcio and Jan Podurgiel) presented their directed fight to the audience which was awarded by an applause.

The final fight between Maciek Mazur and Mateusz Danielewicz unusually fierce and spectacular duel. Fight was even, but at the end of the first play-off Maciek began better controlling and got light superiority. During the exchange of blows Maciek accidentally, but strongly was kick in the crotch. It was decisive moment about course of this fight. Despite that strong pain he did not give up and did not stop fighting. Judges gave dispositions about the second play-off. Maciek was not however himself. Pain clearly disturbed him to unroll his wings. Mateusz got clear superiority and he got to the final of tournament. Maciek could only fight for the 3rd place.

In the second semi-final Mariusz Gabrysiak, could not hold out the pace of fight of his enemy (Michał Malesa). Michał proved again, that his sport successes are not accidental, but supported by heavy work. Training preparation and the way of leadership of fight topped his enemy. Judges had no doubt, that only should have a place in final.

The next part of the tournament was a show in a realization of BKKK instructors. First Paweł czerniakowski with Robert Romiszewski showed their new directed fight after a short series of Tsuki in kihon form. Next sempai Jan Sakławski showed kata. After this show the stack of gas-concrete blocks were broken one by one: sesnei Grzegorz Jaros – shuto technic (edge of palm), sensei Andrzej Niedzielski mawashi-geri kick, Jacek Kepa – seiken technic (fist) and Piotr Strefner – hiji technic (elbow). Traditionally, sempai Łukasz Michalski presented the hardness of his stomach’s muscles by breaking gas-concrete blocks with a heavy hammer.
Next he did not hesitate even for a moment when cutting fat, wooden slat by his tibia.

The fight for 3rd place started when the mat was tidied up after the previous fight. Maciek Mazur who had already recovered, fought with Mariusz Gabrysiak. Both were already tired and pretty well crashed after previous duels. However both showed themselves best advantage and tried to prove the superiority and win. Maciek was more active and deservedly won 3rd place.

In the final Michał Malesa did not give any chances to Mateusz Danielewicz. When he saw that mawahi geri gedan kicks come without defense to thighs of his enemy – he used this without mercy. After some very powerful and precise kicks the leg of Mateusz refused the duties and Michał won by ipon before time. In a really beautiful style he became the triumphator of Kokoro Cup Young Competitors 2009. Congratulations!!!

The words of acknowledgement deserve to all competitors for the attitude presented in fights. Every duel was exciting and gave back the true spirit of karate.

After tournament invited guests went on sesnsei Mariusz birthday banquet.

Jacek Kępa

PHOTO GALLERY

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