Showing posts with label Kick Boxing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kick Boxing. Show all posts

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Japanese Kick Boxing History and MMA Relations

Kickboxing was born in Japan, but when and how?

Over the years, kickboxers have taught MMA fighters how to strike, but fans often don't know much about kickboxing's history. This is the history of kickboxing as it relates to MMA.

For kickboxing, there is neither a universal fight database nor a comprehensive historical record, so I decided to create this article. I may not be the most knowledgeable person about kickboxing, but I have noticed that most kickboxing websites are seriously lacking in their knowledge of the history of the sport. This is partly due to the language barrier between English and Japanese, which is understandable, but people must realize that most media members are unaware of kickboxing's origins.

With this article, I hope to change the standard of knowledge for kickboxing history. I have done a lot of research, but due to the lack of record keeping and history books, some facts may be omitted. However, I believe that this article will be much more detailed than those found on any English website.

The sport began in Japan and I am Japanese, so therefore I must admit that this is heavily written from a Japanese viewpoint.


Kickboxing was born when Nihon kenpo karate practitioner Tatsuo Yamada became interested in Muay Thai. He wanted karate to become a sport. In 1962, he held his first karate sports event. Also that year, boxing promoter Osamu Noguchi became impressed when he watched a Muay Thai event. He wanted to hold a karate vs. Muay Thai event and discussed it with Yamada and Masutatsu Oyama.

In 1963, the Oyama Dojo sent three fighters to Bangkok, Thailand: Kenji Kurosaki, Tadashi Nakamura and Akio Fujihira. Only one karate fighter, Kurosaki, lost there, but he later became a great contributor as a coach for kickboxing.

Kurosaki is a father of Dutch kickboxing. In 1966, he went to Holland by invitation of Jon Bluming, who was a student of Kurosaki and also taught many students in Holland. Under Kurosaki and Bluming's teaching and influence, coaches in Holland learned kickboxing skills.

Coach Jan Plas (Mejiro Gym) later taught Remy Bonjasky and Andy Souwer. Thom Harinck (Chakuriki Gym) taught Peter Aerts, Hesdy Gerges and Badr Hari. Johan Vos (Vos Gym) taught Ernesto Hoost.

Kurosaki left Kyokushin and built Mejiro Gym. Jan Plas's Mejiro Gym in Holland is a branch of Mejiro Gym. The Japanese Mejiro Gym produced the most important talent in kickboxing history.

In 1966, the first kickboxing organization began in Japan, the Japan Kickboxing Federation. It started with Tatsuo Yamada's students and Tadashi Sawamura. Sawamura was the first star of Japanese kickboxing, but he was built up by promotional hype and was never able to beat the top-ranked Thai stadium fighters during his career.

In 1971, All Japan Kickboxing Association (AJKA) began. AJKA had stars with the greatest skill. Toshio Fujiwara began kickboxing at Mejiro Gym in Japan. Kurosaki's hard training regimen, coupled with Fujiwara's original footwork and clinchwork, made Fujiwara the AJKA champion and also the first foreign Rajadamnern champion. AJKA dissolved in 1981.

AJKA's successor, All Japan Kickboxing Federation (AJKF), began operations in 1987. AJKF brought in fighters from Europe including Maurice Smith, Rob Kaman, Vitali Klitschko (current world boxing champion) and many more. They also collaborated with pro wrestling companies like UWF International, Rings and Pancrase. Because the pro wrestling audience was large, AJKF became very popular.

However, it wasn't long before internal troubles and a new wave of independent organizations hurt the local Japanese kickboxing scene.

In 1985, Martial Arts Japan Kickboxing Federation (MA Kick) began to develop with fighters and gyms leftover from AJKF. By 1996, many gyms formerly belonging to AJKF were independent. They built a new organization named New Japan Kickboxing Federation (NJKF). In 1997, the kickboxing gym Active J became independent from AJKF and started the organization known as J-Network.

At the same time, local talent began to grow and started to have success. Atsushi Tateshima and Kensaku Maeda's rivalry started to boost kickboxing's popularity. Celebrities began talking about both fighters. AJKF's 70kg and under division developed interest among hardcore fans.

In 1984, organized MMA began with Shooto. This inspired one man, Tomofumi "Caesar Takeshi" Murata, who wanted to make a new sport that combined elements of MMA and kickboxing. Murata is a former kickboxer at the Japan Kickboxing Federation who taught at UWF. He had grappling experience with pro wrestlers. Murata built "Shoot Boxing" in 1985.

Shoot boxing uses kickboxing rules, but also gives points for throws and permits standing submissions. This allows many MMA fighters to compete and have success. Mark Hominick, Toby Imada, "Lion" Takeshi Inoue and Antonio Carvalho have all competed for Shoot Boxing.

Shoot boxing is best known for leading to Andy Souwer's run in K-1, but before he fought for K-1, Souwer made his name in the "S-Cup," which is the biggest tournament in Shoot Boxing. The S-Cup has included current MMA striking coach Hiromu Yoshitaka - who is responsible for Akitoshi Hokazono, Takashi Nakakura and many Osaka MMA fighters' striking - and Mohamed Ouali, who has assisted greatly with American Top Team's striking improvements.

While small, local kickboxing organizations continued to develop, major kickboxing organizations began. K-1 started in 1993 and its tournament format and frequent heavyweight knockouts charmed the audience. Some of the K-1 fighters were later invited to compete in MMA. Branko Cikatic, Mirko "Crocop" Filipovic, Ray Sefo, Peter Aerts, Mark Hunt and many others fought in MMA.

Nowadays, people know that Crocop changed the standard for MMA striking technique. Mark Hunt is currently on a winning streak in the UFC and Ray Sefo is a trainer at Xtreme Couture. By contrast, some fighters transitioned over to kickboxing after starting in MMA. Examples of such fighters include Semmy Schilt and, of course, Alistair Overeem.

K-1 also initially held lighter weight tournaments, K2 and K3, but they did not succeed.

While K-1 did not succeed right away with promoting the lower weight classes, the local Japanese kickboxing scene produced young prospects for the future. By 2000, K-1 began to have more success at promoting the lighter weights. The start of K-1's 70kg division largely came about because of "Masato's" appearance on the local scene. Masato Kobayashi was ambitious about turning kickboxing into a major sport. He became freelance after winning the AJKF championship and also started his own promotion, "Wolf Revolution."

Masato helped to develop the market for under-70kg fights by becoming the first Japanese K-1 champion. That market depended heavily upon his popularity, however, and it made for a severe conflict with the officiating in kickboxing. In the 2004 K-1 Max final, Masato faced Buakaw Por Pramuk. The fight was ruled a draw by the judges, but Masato had clearly lost. Masato did show drastic improvement in his boxing skill, though, and he was further helped when K-1 adjusted its rules to remove clinching.

At the same time, K-1 brought in talent from its parent MMA company, Hero's. Masato faced MMA fighters such as Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto, Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante, Genki Sudo and Tatsuya Kawajiri, which gave Masato a celebrity status as the defender of K-1.

Local shows continued to feature lighter fighters who had not received an opportunity to compete for K-1 but wanted to elevate their divisons to a higher status. AJKF held 60kg tournaments. Toshio Fujiwara built his own gym after retiring and produced fighters like Masahiro Yamamoto and Hisanori Maeda, as well as Haruaki Otsuki, Satoshi Kobayashi (later in his career), Naoki Ishikawa, Genki Yamamoto, Shinobu Shiratori and more.

Meanwhile, NJKF had succeeded in building up its 60kg division with captivating fighters such as Tetsuya Yamato, Ryoichi "Rasyata" Sakiyama and Yohei Sakurai.

When K-1 Max charmed people and attracted a local hardcore audience with 60kg fights, K-1 heavyweights began to struggle to keep fans interested until the emergence of Bob Sapp. After fighting well against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira under MMA rules, Sapp was picked up by K-1 and matched up against Ernesto Hoost. His enormous physical force allowed him to stop Hoost even though his fighting style was not technical.

K-1 was clearly pleased with the powerful but not technical Sapp and he became very popular, though this was really more because he was a newcomer entering K-1. Sapp went on to face famous Yokozuka champion sumo wrestler Taro Akebono. He brutally knocked out Akebono, who had no clue about the striking game. Sapp did make an impact with that freak fight, but his record got worse as his career progressed. He lost to Mirko "Crocop" and Ray Sefo, but defeated Seth Petruzelli and Yoshihiro Nakao.

During this era, Remy Bonjasky and Akio "Musashi" Mori led the K-1 heavyweights. Neither was a strong finisher and the success of the events depended heavily upon knockouts. Therefore, K-1 relied more upon fighters with big frames and power than on ones with technical skill. The organization brought in former Ssireum (Korean Sumo wrestling) fighter Hong Man Choi. Besides winning some freak fights, he could not make an impact in the sport.

Fighters began to convert from MMA back to K-1. Semmy Schilt, who had a background in Daidojuku Karate, fought in MMA and then converted to kickboxing. Schilt used his big frame for clinch attacks but he also had skills outside of the clinch. His jab and front kick were important parts of his fighting style and they allowed him to stop the advance of opponents with a smaller reach. While he did not display great athleticism, Schilt's presence brought a new theme to the scene.

"Who can beat Schilt?" fans wondered.

Badr Hari and Alistair Overeem became known as answers to that question. Hari brought speed to the K-1 heavyweight division, while Overeem brought power. Overeem was also known for his career in MMA, but his striking skill is what really got him noticed. Especially when he KOed K-1's next star candidate, Hari.

Overeem's huge muscular body and striking pressure forced opponents to move backward, which is not as easy to do as in the lighter weight classes because it is harder to control one's balance at a heavier weight. Hari showed amazing speed for a heavyweight and a long reach; both of which he used against Semmy Schilt. Hari's speed allowed him to overcome his reach disadvantage and his defensive skill allowed him to avoid Schilt's jab en route to knocking Schilt out.

At 70kg, Masato decided to retire following his second win of the K-1 tournament. The organization needed to find new stars. They tried to make Yoshihiro Sato into a star, but they did not succeed even though his match with Masato was exciting. That forced K-1 to launch a 63kg division.



Giorgio Petrosyan lead the MAX after Masato retire


K-1 tried to build up the number of quality talent. When they had started the 70kg division with Masato, it was difficult for K-1 to find other fighters with comparable skill. Therefore, they used their brand and Masato to collect young talent from across the nation.

This led to the formation of K-1 Koshien. It was named after the Japanese high school baseball tournament, which is the most popular amateur sports event in Japan. K-1 Koshien produced Masaaki Noiri, Hiroya Kawabe, Kizaemon Saiga and others who helped to develop a deeper 63kg division.

Tetsuya Yamato won first K-1 Max 63kg Japan tournament

At the same time, under-63kg fighters never had a chance to compete for a major organization. Therefore, these fighters in Japan looked for a new challenge in Muay Thai. Muay Thai's most talented fighters have always belonged to the lighter weight classes because of Thai fighters' smaller average height.

One fighter known for challenging many Thai opponents was Arashi Fujiwara. He had no opposition in Japan at his natural weight (53kg), so he fought above his weight division like Hisanori Maeda. However, Fujiwara still could not beat the top-ranked Thai stadium fighters. No foreigner could beat the ranked Thai fighters until Genji Umeno knocked out Wutidej Lookprabaht with an elbow to become the first Japanese Lumpinee ranked competitor.

At last, Fight Entertainment Group (FEG) - which ran K-1 - can no longer promote any more events. They owe a considerable amount of money to fighters and are unable to pay. Many kickboxers now train MMA fighters instead. In Europe, Glory bought its main rival, It's Showtime, and now just one organization will run kickboxing.

We have already seen Mark Hunt knock out opponents in the UFC. If Alistair Overeem passes his drug tests, we may get to see a K-1 grand prix winner challenge a UFC champion. Of course, Overeem has had a much longer career in MMA, so such a fight would not be "MMA vs. Kickboxing," but fans and media will surely talk about his K-1 background if that day comes.

SKILL MMA's Japanese Martial Arts Gym (include many kick boxing gym) or Venue photo series

SKILL MMA's Japanese Kick Boxing / Muay Thai Scene Gym List

SKILL MMA's Japanese Kick Boxing / Muay Thai event list


Big thanks to Robert Sargent (from MMA Rising) for English editing.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Sneak Peek into the Kick Boxing gym with Mr Luis Giraldo

I got many mail for my SKILL MMA's mail address.I basically return mail if it's decent mail and not advertise.

I got mail from Mr Luis Giraldo who is Colombian American.He said he want train at Japanese Kick Boxing gym and want help to book it.

I book gym for him and guide him.(Of course I get paid from him for works)

He really get treat well at Silver Wolf and Shooto Boxing headquarter, Caesar Gym.

Let's watch interior of those gym and how he get teach personal from professional fighter.


Silver Wolf



Silver Wolf



K-1 fighter Yasuhito Shirasu and Luis Giraldo



Shooto Boxing Head Quarter "Caesar Gym"



Shooto Boxing Head Quarter "Caesar Gym"



Shooto Boxing Head Quarter "Caesar Gym"



Shooto Boxer Hiroki Shishido and Luis Giraldo



Shooto Boxer Hiroki Shishido and Luis Giraldo



Shooto Boxer Hiroki Shishido and Luis Giraldo



Shooto Boxer Hiroki Shishido and Luis Giraldo


For reference.

Luis paid 6000 yen for 1 hour personal training at Silver Wolf also he paid 2000 yen for 1day train at Shooto Boxing headquarter.Also he bought some merchandise.

Japan had hard time now.But I think it will be safer and foreign people will come back as sightseeing in near future.If you really interest at train at Japan.You can mail me.I can't guide by free but I research all kind of gyms and event at Japan.So I think I'm best person for it.

Big Thanks to Luis Giraldo, his Diana, Hiroki Shishido and Yasuhito Shirasu for cooperate.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Japanese Kick Boxing / Muay Thai Scene Gym List

This is Japanese Kick-boxing or Muay Thai version of gym list.I know this isn't comprehensive list.But I think it's still best list at English language.Kick Boxing / Muay Thai is not specialty on this web so please understand it.

I mention gym's official links,what prefecture they belong,what railway station is nearest and Notable Fighters .

Attention.Some of gyms really luck to have ability to welcome foreigner due to luck of language skill or just teacher's capacity to run gym.I think you better go gym get welcomed.So I think better ask it at phone before you go.

Silver Wolf Official (Tokyo Sangenjyaya)
Notable former fighter "Masato" Kobayashi



Nagoya JK Factory Official (Aichi,Amagasaka)
Notable figher Yoshihiro Sato



Dragon Dojo Official (Tokyo,Machida)
Gym's head Kensaku Maeda
Notable figher Kyotaro,Daisuke Uematsu,Keiji Ozaki,Ryuji Kajiwara



Caesar Gym Official (Tokyo,Asakusa)
Notable Fighter Takaaki Umeno,Kenichi Ogata,Hiroki Shishido



Fujiwara Gym Official (Tokyo,Minowa)
Notable fighter Masahiro Yamamoto,Hisanori Maeda



Seishun Juku Official (Tokyo,Keiseiaoto)
Notable fighter Yuya Yamamoto,Naoki Ishikawa,Sakon Terada

Bungeling Bay Official (Tokyo,Ebisu)
Notable Fighter Hiroki Nakajima,Naoki Samukawa



Oikawa Dojo Official (Osaka,Chidoribashi)
Notable fighter Tomohiro Oikawa,Rena Kubota

M & J Kick Boxing Gym Official (Osaka, Nihonbashi)
Notable fighter Kizaemon Saiga

Taniyama Gym Official (Kanagawa,Isehara and Kanagawa,Sobudaimae)
Notable fighter Yasuhiro Kido



Try Hard Gym Official (Kanagawa,Kobuchi)
Notable fighter Hiroya Kawabe



Musashi Sports Center (Kanagawa,Aikoishida)
Coach Tomoyuki Mori (Akio "Musashi" Mori's brother)



Yamato Gym Official (Aichi,Kanayama)
Yamato Gym youtube channel
Notable fighter Tetsuya Yamato



Oguni Gym Official (Tokyo,Ikebukuro)
Notable fighter "Tomonori" Sato,Takashi Yoneda



Weerasakreck Fairtex Muay Thai Gym (Tokyo,Mikawajima and Tokyo,Minowa and Saitama,Warabi and Chiba Makuhari and Tokyo,Ochiaiminaminagasaki and Fukuoka,Shimoyamato and Tokyo,Higashiyamato and Chiba,Tennodai)
Notable fighter Wanrop Weerasakreck,Kuntap Weerasakreck,Kanongsuk Weerasakreck

Sugawara Dojo Official (Chiba,Aohori)
Notable fighter Yuji "Mad Fist" Takeuchi

Jiseikan Official (Chiba,Sango)
Notable fighter Kozo Takeda



DC Lab. Gym Official (Tokyo,Ebisu)
Notable fighter Yuta Kubo



Ihara Dojo (Tokyo, Ebisu)
Notable fighter Mutsuki Ebata,Rui Ebata



Real Deal Official (Tokyo,Omori and Fukuoka,Heiwadori and Fukuoka,Hakata and Fukuoka,Nishijin and Fukuoka,Tenjin)
Notable former fighter "Yuki" Taguchi

TARGET Official (Tokyo,Sugamo)
Notable fighter Fabiano Cyclone,Erika Kamimura



STURGIS Shinjuku Gym Official (Tokyo,Okubo)
Notable fighter Koji Yoshimoto



Meguro Fujimoto Gym Official (Tokyo,Meguro)
Notable fighter Hiroki Ishii



Rikix official (Tokyo, Ookayama and Kanagawa, Yurigaoka)
Gym's head Riki Onodera



Phoenix Official (Tokyo,Akihabara)
Gym's head Masaaki Kato



Hayato Gym Official (Tokyo,Gakugeidaigaku)
Gym's head Yuji "Hayato" Miyake



King Gym Official (Tokyo,Ojima)
Notable fighter Ryoichi "Rasyata" Sakiyama



Fire Takadanobaba Official (Tokyo,Takadanobaba)
Notable former fighter Toshimasa "Fire" Harada

Friday, April 2, 2010

Japanese Kick Boxing / Muay Thai event list

This time I introduce Japanese Kick Boxing / Muay Thai event list.This web is about MMA so bit go away from the point.But you guys know Japanese kick boxing scene effect J-MMA both good and bad.I know it's not perfect list but I spend lot time.So I just open this and going next thing.

Krush
Krush official
Krush official youtube channel

NJKF
NJKF (New Japan Kick-Boxing Federation) official
NJKF official youtube channel

R.I.S.E.
R.I.S.E. official
RISE official youtube channel
R.I.S.E. official blog

Shooto Boxing
Shooto Boxing official
Shooto Boxing's official youtube channel




J-Network
J-Network official
J-Network's official youtube channel
J-girls (Female)
J-girls official
J-girls official youtube channel



M-1
M-1 Muay Thai challenge official

REBELS
REBELS official
REBELS official youtube channel
Rebels official blog

MA Kick
MAKF official(Martial Arts Japan Kickboxing Federation)


Japan Kick Boxing Innovation
Japan Kick Boxing Innovation official

SKB
SKB official(Shin Nihon Kickboxing Association)

NKB
K-U official gym Hachioji Fighting Sports Gym
JKF


Survivor
Survivor official
Survivor official youtube channel
Survivor official blog

Big Bang
Big Bang official
Big Bang official youtube channel

DEEP Kick
DEEP Kick (Japanese local MMA org DEEP's kick box event web is integrate with MMA web)

HEAT
HEAT official(Japanese region MMA and Kick box org web is integrate with MMA web)

Nagoya Kick
Nagoya Kick
Nagoya Kick official youtube channel
Nagoya Kick Flickr

Kakimidashi
Kakimidashi official

Tenkaichi Fight
Tenkaichi Fight official
Tenkaichi Fight official blog