Russia Dominates World Kudo Cup In Moscow
The Russian team clinches a resounding victory at the World Kudo Cup in Moscow. Fighters from 30 countries came to Moscow for the first ever Kudo tournament held outside the martial art’s homeland, Japan. Kudo is relatively new to Russia, but the national team has managed to take a commanding lead in the sport.
Adam Haliev, team Russia, speaking Russian: “I decided to bank on my durability. The plan was to take him down, wrestle and count on the ground-and-pound. That was the only way to beat him.”
Nikolay Vingert, team Russia, speaking Russian: “My little son gave me a call just before the fight and said. Daddy, you have to win. I knew he was watching the fight, so I just couldn't have disappointed him! He is five, very impressive, in that age everything should be fine for him.”
Nikolay Valuev, heavyweight boxer, speaking Russian: “From here on I am Kudo's biggest fan. You want to know why? Minimum restrictions. This allows fighters to be very creative and spontaneous. Referees are not interfering the fight, are not interrupting it with remarks. Just perfect conditions for them to show what they really got during the fight. It is very important for me as a fighter. Sometimes referees and a large amount of rules are not good for a fight.”
Takashi Azumo, Kudo founder, speaking Japanese: “Of course, I’m very upset with my compatriots' performance. On the other hand, as Kudo founder, I’m glad and proud that it is so popular with other nations. This is a great promotion for the sport. Besides, all Kudo practitioners are just like my children.”
Story
Thirty countries, 125 fighters, and just one team proving they are the undisputed powerhouse in the sport.
The mixed martial art of Kudo is one of the youngest on the planet. Its first ever World Cup held in Moscow on Saturday - also the first time a Kudo competition has taken place outside the sport's motherland, Japan.
However, the event was just more proof that it's Russia that dictates the terms in one of the fastest-growing and eye-catching martial arts at present.
Instead of having weight categories, Kudo uses so-called physical indexes - the sum of a fighter's height and weight. The World Cup participants competed in six classes, and all of them saw all-Russian finals.
Team Russia captain Aleksey Kharitonov versus Adam Khaliev - the 2009 world championships' runner-up against the champ. Some old scores to settle, with Khaliev having the edge once again.
“I decided to bank on my durability. The plan was to take him down, wrestle and count on the ground-and-pound. That was the only way to beat him,” explained Adam Haliev after the fight.
Some bigger guys on the mat - another world champion, Yuriy Panov, taking on Andrey Chernykh. Both fast and furious, although there can only be one winner. And it was Panov who claimed victory via armbar submission.
The next fight coming up - a true gift for all hand-to-hand fighting fans. It’s Ibragim Larsanov against Nikolay Vingert. One claimed victory in the 2009 world championships final clash. The other took his chance to shine this time around.
Nikolay Vingert - fighting back in style to become the winner of the first ever World Kudo Cup.
“My little son gave me a call just before the fight and said. Daddy, you have to win. I knew he was watching the fight, so I just couldn't have disappointed him! He is five, very impressive, in that age everything should be fine for him,” Nikolay said.
At the press conference after the championship Kudo founder - Japanese master Takashi Azumo - expressed mixed feelings over the outcome.
“Of course, I’m very upset with my compatriots' performance. On the other hand, as Kudo founder, I’m glad and proud that it is so popular with other nations. This is a great promotion for the sport. Besides, all Kudo practitioners are just like my children.”
Meanwhile, heavyweight boxing star Nikolay Valuev says Kudo was an eye-opening discovery for him.
“From here on I am Kudo's biggest fan. You want to know why? Minimum restrictions. This allows fighters to be very creative and spontaneous. Referees are not interfering the fight, are not interrupting it with remarks. Just perfect conditions for them to show what they really got during the fight. It is very important for me as a fighter. Sometimes referees and a large amount of rules are not good for a fight. ”
Also known as furious karate, Kudo is swiftly establishing its name in the world of mixed martial arts and sports in general, meaning one of these guys may be given a chance to fight for the title of Olympic champion.
Adam Haliev, team Russia, speaking Russian: “I decided to bank on my durability. The plan was to take him down, wrestle and count on the ground-and-pound. That was the only way to beat him.”
Nikolay Vingert, team Russia, speaking Russian: “My little son gave me a call just before the fight and said. Daddy, you have to win. I knew he was watching the fight, so I just couldn't have disappointed him! He is five, very impressive, in that age everything should be fine for him.”
Nikolay Valuev, heavyweight boxer, speaking Russian: “From here on I am Kudo's biggest fan. You want to know why? Minimum restrictions. This allows fighters to be very creative and spontaneous. Referees are not interfering the fight, are not interrupting it with remarks. Just perfect conditions for them to show what they really got during the fight. It is very important for me as a fighter. Sometimes referees and a large amount of rules are not good for a fight.”
Takashi Azumo, Kudo founder, speaking Japanese: “Of course, I’m very upset with my compatriots' performance. On the other hand, as Kudo founder, I’m glad and proud that it is so popular with other nations. This is a great promotion for the sport. Besides, all Kudo practitioners are just like my children.”
Story
Thirty countries, 125 fighters, and just one team proving they are the undisputed powerhouse in the sport.
The mixed martial art of Kudo is one of the youngest on the planet. Its first ever World Cup held in Moscow on Saturday - also the first time a Kudo competition has taken place outside the sport's motherland, Japan.
However, the event was just more proof that it's Russia that dictates the terms in one of the fastest-growing and eye-catching martial arts at present.
Instead of having weight categories, Kudo uses so-called physical indexes - the sum of a fighter's height and weight. The World Cup participants competed in six classes, and all of them saw all-Russian finals.
Team Russia captain Aleksey Kharitonov versus Adam Khaliev - the 2009 world championships' runner-up against the champ. Some old scores to settle, with Khaliev having the edge once again.
“I decided to bank on my durability. The plan was to take him down, wrestle and count on the ground-and-pound. That was the only way to beat him,” explained Adam Haliev after the fight.
Some bigger guys on the mat - another world champion, Yuriy Panov, taking on Andrey Chernykh. Both fast and furious, although there can only be one winner. And it was Panov who claimed victory via armbar submission.
The next fight coming up - a true gift for all hand-to-hand fighting fans. It’s Ibragim Larsanov against Nikolay Vingert. One claimed victory in the 2009 world championships final clash. The other took his chance to shine this time around.
Nikolay Vingert - fighting back in style to become the winner of the first ever World Kudo Cup.
“My little son gave me a call just before the fight and said. Daddy, you have to win. I knew he was watching the fight, so I just couldn't have disappointed him! He is five, very impressive, in that age everything should be fine for him,” Nikolay said.
At the press conference after the championship Kudo founder - Japanese master Takashi Azumo - expressed mixed feelings over the outcome.
“Of course, I’m very upset with my compatriots' performance. On the other hand, as Kudo founder, I’m glad and proud that it is so popular with other nations. This is a great promotion for the sport. Besides, all Kudo practitioners are just like my children.”
Meanwhile, heavyweight boxing star Nikolay Valuev says Kudo was an eye-opening discovery for him.
“From here on I am Kudo's biggest fan. You want to know why? Minimum restrictions. This allows fighters to be very creative and spontaneous. Referees are not interfering the fight, are not interrupting it with remarks. Just perfect conditions for them to show what they really got during the fight. It is very important for me as a fighter. Sometimes referees and a large amount of rules are not good for a fight. ”
Also known as furious karate, Kudo is swiftly establishing its name in the world of mixed martial arts and sports in general, meaning one of these guys may be given a chance to fight for the title of Olympic champion.
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