FIGHT SERIES 1 – SYDNEY

There was a lot of anticipation leading up to the first ever “Fight Series” tournament. What would it be like? How would the rules be different? How many competitors would be there that we hadn’t encountered before?

The hall at the Olympic Park Netball Centre is a great venue for this type of tournament and the presentation of the tournament was first class. The tournament was conducted on three rings on the main “Show Court” which provides for a huge crowd seating capacity with superb viewing for spectators as well as the ability to easily control access to the competition floor. This venue could easily handle several more rings if required.

There were banners everywhere and a podium for the Medal awarding photos. The Medals themselves were among the best that we have ever seen and have now become a “must have” for the trophy collection.

The concept of an “Open Martial Arts Tournament” using modified ITF rules was an experiment that was designed to attract competitors who would “challenge” the status quo, and as a result help to lift the overall standard of competition. To call the concept a success or failure after one tournament would be premature. On the day there were a number of different Martial Arts schools in attendance and it was obvious that they were there to “test the water”. Without doubt the concept will continue to be fine tuned and will attract even greater numbers of students from other Martial Arts styles in the future. The overall attendance level at this first Fight Series tournament was in line with previous ITF National events. There is little doubt that the element of introducing other martial arts styles into the competition will challenge our competitors to work on their skills if they wish to maintain their tournament success.

Throughout the day we witnessed some spectacular action, particularly from the junior black belt categories, with some new faces that made a big impression in their debut onto the national scene. There was also a group of competitors who travelled all the way from New Zealand to give us a taste of what the number one country in the ITF world can dish up. It is always a privilege to witness the standard of competitors that are produced by the Kiwis. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the final event 3 Team Sparring, which saw teams of three fighters pitted against each other in short rounds with no break between the rounds. This was a very fast paced and non-stop action event with the winner the team with the highest accumulated points total after each person had fought.

Overall our impression of the inaugural Fight Series tournament was that this is a great concept that will continue to develop and grow as it is fine tuned. Undoubtedly in time, it will become the premier tournament event on the Australian ITF calendar.

Ken & Gail Hayden

National Team Managers