2006 World Shidokan Open Results

The 2006 World Shidokan Open
Hosted by The U.S. Shidokan Special Guest: Shidokan Founder / Grandmaster Kancho Yoshiji Soeno
Chicago, IL U.S.A.
02 December 2006

Lightweight Division 145-155lbs / 66-70kg
Philip Botha / South Africa v. Jeff Walsh / Canada
Round one saw both fighters pressing the action with strong low kick and knee combinations. Round two saw the same action with Walsh countering with some nice body punches. Round three began the second phase of “The Triathlon of Martial Arts”. Walsh proceeded to look very impressive as he landed three great left hooks right on Botha’s jaw of but ended dramatically when Botha landed a beautiful left round kick to the liver and dropped Walsh for the entire ten count! Winner by knockout, South Africa’s Philip Botha.

Harris Norwood / USA v. Luis Hernandez / Costa Rica
Hernandez strong Karate back round was apparent as he came out with punishing low kicks to Norwood’s left leg. Round two followed the same action with Norwood countering repeatedly with multiple takedowns. This didn’t seem to phase the feisty Costa Rican fighter. Round three saw a definite change in momentum when Norwood was able to unleash his kickboxing skills. Once again the Shidokan motto “Don’t even blink” came to play in round four as Norwood knocked out Hernandez with a text book punch kick combination that ended with a left round kick to the head of Hernandez that left him horizontal in the ring for much longer than ten seconds. Winner by KO, Harris Norwood / USA.

Middleweight Division 170-185lbs / 77-84kg
Ryo Sakai / Japan v. Carmin Wiltshire / USA
Bare knuckle rounds saw both fighters evenly exchange low kicks. In round two, Sakai stunned Wiltshire with a high round kick to the head for a standing eight. Round three saw Sakai take control by almost eliminating the lead leg of Wiltshire with a barrage of low kicks. However, as round three came to a close, Wiltshire managed to land a spinning back fist resulting in Saikai receiving a standing eight count. In round four, it was Saikai’s turn again as he landed a beautiful left hook to stun Wiltshire who received his second standing eight of the match. The third phase of ‘The Triathlon” saw Sakai in control as he easily took down Wiltshire and proceeded to get a full mount. But just when you thought the veteran Japan warrior had this fight under his belt, Wiltshire’s long legs seem to get even longer as he manipulated Sakai from the guard and sunk a beautiful triangle choke resulting in the first tap out of the evening with Saikai on the losing end. Winner by “Tap Out”, Carmin Wiltshire / USA.

Vlajiko Perovic / Germany v. Jan Kaszauba / Canada
The first two Bare Knuckle Full Contact Karate rounds were pretty even with Perovic having just a slight advantage over the talented Canadian fighter. The Kickboxing rounds saw Kaszauba becoming the aggressor in round three, but got caught in round four as Preovic managed to drop Kaszauba with a beautiful knee combination which resulted in a standing eight count. The momentum then changed in the final two Grappling rounds when Kaszauba seemed to come alive and become the definite aggressor in the fifth round. However the sixth and final round ended with Perovic on top of Kaszauba and in control for almost the entire round. The first fight of the evening that actually went the distance allowing the judges to finally earn their money. Unanimous Decision: Vlajiko Perovic.

Heavyweight Division 205-265lbs / 93-120kg
George Allan / USA v. Ali Mokdad / Canada
Both the first and second rounds consisted of powerfull punch and low kick combinations that are the trademark of the Shidokan Heavyweights. Round two ended with Allen landing a beautiful high round kick to Mokdad’s head. The fight definitely became interesting as Allan landed some “Heavy hands” on Mokdad who proved that he could definitely take a punch. Just when Allan seemed to be getting Mokdad’s timing down, the 240lb. Mokdad landed on him during a clinch / takedown, which resulted in Allan injuring his right knee. As a result, Allen was unable to answer the bell for round four. Winner by TKO, Ali Mokdad / Canada.

Quincy Sutton / USA v. Thorsten Kronz / Germany
During the first two Karate rounds, both fighters seemed evenly matched as they took turns landing their favorite techniques. Sutton seemed to prefer body punching while Kronz launched an impressive array of spinning and high round kicks. Once the gloves came on, Kronz switched from kicking to punching and landed two beautiful combinations dropping Sutton for two standing eight counts. Round four ended rather quickly when Kronz dropped Sutton with yet another sharp left right combination for the third and final time making Thorsten Kronz the winner by TKO.

Intermission / Ring Girl Contest
The Shidokan not only provided great fights but excellent entertainment as six gorgeous girls from the Chicago Hyatt Regency “Hard Drive” night club competed in the 2006 Shido-Ring Girl competition. The sold out crowd loved it and nearly brought the house down with applause as they determined the winner.

Middleweight Superfught / 3-3” Rounds / Triathlon Rules
Brain Gassaway / USA v. Mariuz Ligzynski / Poland
Round one saw the Polish fighter come strong. Ligzynski’s very strong low kicks and straight ahead attack seemed to disrupt Gassaway’s timing. Brian is a well known MMA fighter and definitely was not prepared for this traditional “Full Contact Karate Blitz”. However, Ligzynski was a bit too wild for his own good as he received a warning for kicking Gassaway in the groin which he repeated again in round two. That earned Ligzynski a penalty and one point deduction. Round two finished with the Polish fighter pressing the action and Gassaway countering with body punches and multiple takedowns. Round three saw Ligzynski appear a bit tentative as he was aware of Gassaway’s excellent MMA Ground and Pound prowess. This proved to be a accurate prediction as Gassaway immediately clinched and took Ligzynski down. Gassaway seemed to effortlessly attain a full mount and subsequently unleashed a vicious barrage of “Ground and Pound” on Ligzynski. Eventually Ligzynski could not endure any more punishment and “Tapped Out”. Winner Brian Gassaway / USA.

Lightweight Championship
Harris Norwood and Philip Botha both came out on fire. They displayed the best Full Contact Karate techniques of the evening, with neither fighter gaining the advantage. The Kickboxing rounds proved to be equally exciting as both fighters exchanged and landed multiple combinations. Unfortunately at the end of round three, Norwoood sustained an injury (broke) his right wrist and was unable to continue. Therefore, the 2006 Shidokan Llightweight World Championship was awarded to the exciting fighter from South Africa, Phillip Botha

Middleweight Championship
Wiltshire unable to compete due to injuries sustained during his triangle choke victory over Saikai. Shidokan rules specifically state that: “NoTitle will be awarded due to any fighter because of an injury to his opponent prior to the scheduled match…”. In other words, if you want the title, you have to fight for it. Therefore, the fight we be rescheduled when both fighters are ready, willing and able. Date TBA.

Heavyweight Championship
The first two rounds featured Full Contact Karate at a combined weight of over four hundred twenty five pounds. Big punches, powerful kicks and big throws. Thorsten Kronz seemed to control round three and four of the Kickboxing rounds by landing some very sharp hand combinations. Kronz landed multiple left jabs and right crosses to Ali Mokdad’s head. To Mokdad’s credit, he can definitely take a punch. The final two MMA rounds had Kronz and Mokdad standing in the middle of the ring going toe to toe and could have gone either way. Both heavyweights demonstrated great technique, conditioning and spirit. However in a ten point must system, only one fighter can be declared the winner and tonight that title went to Germany’s Thorsten Kronz, winner by split decision.

9 FIGHTS: 2 KO, 2 TAP OUT, 3 TKO, 2 BY DECISION

Congratulations SHIDOKAN…Another great show!