Page 16 - IssueNo100a

16 Issue #100 May 2021 www.sportsenergynews.com

Continued on page 14 known work from Alfred Hitchcock,
there isn’t a Shadow of a Doubt
(by Joseph A. Valentine – Rope) – that this should be right up there KARATE KOMMENTS
stunning in every single scene, as
with the rest of his classics – for it
well as that classic Hitchcockian features everything you could want
British deadpan humour – running
from one of his films – a thrilling
through the piece, much of it comes
story, multiple psychological layers, By Jim Riddell,
from Joseph and his best friend, superb performances, his renowned
Herbie Hawkins (Hume Cronyn), visual mastery, and so much more. A Seaway Karate Club
who discuss, in a most serious
funny note worth mentioning: Hitch
fashion, the best possible way to sent his team out to look for the
kill each other – as they are both perfect location for the family home Professional Karate
avid murder mystery readers (talk – something nice but worn down (that
about a wickedly dark sense of he Karate Combat League, a privately owned company with headquarters
would suit their middle class life). . .
humour), and an entertainingly over finding the perfect on-location house Tin New York City, promotes full contact professional karate matches world-
the top score from Dimitri Tiomkin wide. They use a season type tournament format where the eventual winners of
(in Santa Rosa, California) – well each of the eight weight classes are awarded a gold title belt.
(High Noon; Dial M for Murder) –
built with plenty of charm inside and Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Bas Rutten has been an ambassador and
perfectly encapsulating the darkness out, it was also perfect in that it was front person for the Combat League since the first event in April of 2018, along
being brought to this safe and quiet in need of repairs, had an overgrown with another UFC champ George St. Pierre being brought in as “Season Sensei”
locale. . . much like the excessive to offer advice to the combatants in Season 3. The first event was held on the
lawn, as well as faded/chipped
black smoke spouting from the exterior paint – exactly what the 102nd floor of the World Trade Center with an invitation only for a black-tie
train bringing Uncle Charlie to the director was looking for. Renting it audience. Many subsequent fight cards have been held in undisclosed locations
west coast (keep an eye open for from the owners, the only problem – without an audience and made available on YouTube and various TV networks.
Hitchcock’s difficult to spot cameo The first and perhaps most noticeable thing about Karate Combats is the sunken
they were so proud their house was 21’4” ring (6.5m sq) with 45-degree sloped walls that is called “The Pit”. This al-
on this very train – his profile can going to be in a Hitchcock movie,
be seen while playing cards. . . he lows for excellent viewing of the fights with no ring posts or cage to obscure the
they fixed up all of the problems so cameras. The fights consist of three three-minute rounds with some champion-
has quite the hand). And, for those
it looked perfect. . . forcing them to ship matches going five rounds. Fighters are dressed in their karate gi pants with
of you wondering what the waltz is artificially age belts and wear 4 oz gloves. Wrestling, submissions, knees, elbows, uppercuts,
that they keep humming (much to the home and grounds. So, grab a and leg kicks are not allowed. Foot sweeps and takedowns are allowed with the
the chagrin of a few characters). . . it grounded fighter being allowed up-kicks and his standing opponent permitted to
firm hold as you board this train to
is called “The Merry Widow” – talk terror, you’ll be a good-time Charlie punch down. After 5 seconds, the downed fighter is brought back to fight stand-
about perfection. ing up.
after seeing it. . . or I’m a monkey’s I only found out about Karate Combat a couple of months ago when I was
A masterful and slightly lesser Uncle. speaking with Rob Patry, owner of SMA Karate in Kingston and he asked me if
I had been watching Karate Combat. Rob has been around for many years and is
Brought to you by Ming & Associates very well respected in the martial arts community and so on his recommendation
Athlete of the Month I decided to check it out. I watched several fights on YouTube and then asked
Athlete of the Month
what others thought of the format by posting the question to a large Martial Arts
FB group of which I am a member. I was surprised that few had heard of it, but
Danika Mader some watched a couple of the events, did a little research, and then got back to
me.
Age: 15 The fighters are mostly from WKF point fighting styles which are preferred
Grade: 9 over fighters from styles that use infighting and leg kicks. This keeps the fighters
a bit further apart which shows well on camera and gives the brand a unique rule
School: Char-Lan District High School
set. One individual mentioned that evolution is already in process with fighters
Hometown: Lancaster now moving around and using more of the ring as well as the sloped walls. He
The Athlete of the Month for the month of figured that some fighters have already started to work with boxing trainers to
May is Danika Mader. Danika is 15 years improve evasion, footwork, and learn how to create angles. All of the top kick-
old and is an avid hockey and soccer player. boxers from the past including Jean-Yves Theriault, Bill” Superfoot” Wallace,
In hockey, she plays the position of forward Joe Lewis, and many others had boxing trainers working their corners. Everyone
and in soccer she plays the position of who either commented or replied back directly liked Karate Combat, although
there were a few that suggested rule changes, and some stated that they preferred

midfielder. Her most notable accomplishments include being a member it to MMA.
of the top team in her division, and last year she and her teammates were What are the actual chances of Karate Combat growing their brand and becom-
scheduled to attend the provincial playoffs, however the tournament was ing a factor in the professional combative arts industry? The odds are some-
postponed due to COVID-19. Her goals in both sports are to work hard and what stacked against that happening as they are competing in a saturated market.
to be the best team player possible. Danika says she enjoys participating MMA is now the world’s third most popular sport behind soccer and basketball
in her sports because it allows her to socialize with her friends as well as with the UFC having the largest piece of the pie. Behind the UFC, there are sev-
meet new people. eral other major players such as Bellator MMA (USA), Absolute Championship
Akhmat (Russia), Pancrese (Japan), Caged Steel (UK), and One Championship
(Singapore).
Then there is pro boxing with its four legitimate sanctioning bodies, the WBA,
WBC, IBF, and WBO. Boxing may have suffered a bit of a loss in popularity
in North America, but it is extremely popular in the United Kingdom, Russia,
Ukraine, the Philippines, and Cuba. There are presently a considerable number
of MMA players in the game, but there is a considerable percentage of fight fans
Max Ming, P. Eng
who prefer the standup striking version. If the Combat Karate League is able to
Financial Planning • Investments • Insurance get a few breaks securing sponsorships and TV deals, there is a definite place for
613-932-7526 • Max@mingassociates.com them in the fight market.