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IKF/TKO
USA
Amateur Kickboxing Championships...
The True Test
for All USA Amateur Kickboxers!
As the the largest sanctioning body for Pro and Amateur Kickboxing in the World, the International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) will once again present the Largest Amateur "Kickboxing ONLY" Tournament in North America.
Last years event (The 4th year of this event) numbers were under the expected growth pattern due to the 9-11 tragedy but actually more than we had anticipated due to the travel issues of 9-11. Of the 244 registered fighters, 202 actually showed up to "Walk the Walk". Of them, (Some not making their weight limit and other reasons) 200 actually entered the fighting ring to
"Walk the Walk!"
Of the actual 200 who had a fight once there, 131 were above the waist Full Contact American rule style Kickboxers, 38 were International leg kick rules and 31 were MuayThai fighters. They fought a total of 134 bouts over 2 days to determine the best amateur kickboxers in America in their perspective divisions. In the end, there were 64 IKF USA Championship Title Belts awarded, 40 in Full Contact, 14 in International and 10 in MuayThai Rules.
Of the 61, 2001 USA National Champions, 18 made it back to the 2002 National Finals Tournament. Of them, 15 made it back to the National Championship Finals Bout. Of them, 13 of the 15 would retain their 2001 USA National Tournament Title. It was a sporting event that showed the very best of American Amateur Kickboxers.
The 2002 event was a huge success as fighters and trainers came from all over the United States, including Hawaii to "Walk The Walk!" Some would be victorious in their quest to be called the 2002 IKF National Champion, while others would need to say at least they gave their all amongst the best. Based on the four years the event has been held, not only has it more than doubled its number of competitors, but it also has become the standard assessment for amateur kickboxers in the USA.
The IKF Nationals Tournament is a unique event for kickboxers and is the kickboxing equivalent to the golden glove tournament for amateur boxers. The event is the incubator for the future of the sport. The fighters compete at regional events held throughout the United States to determine their seed/ranking for the National Finals Tournament. Those competitors that do not compete in a Regional Event will have to start from the bottom and fight their way up to the championship match.
In this process of elimination, competitors could fight up to three to four times over the weekend before winning a championship. Each match is three rounds in length and two minutes each round. The competitors pay an entree fee to help cover tournament expenses and also pay their own travel expenses to attend the event. Most competitors don't mind the expenses and are even more motivated to try harder knowing that winning one of the $200 Brass & Leather Title Belts is worth it all! They can also rest assured that the tournament has fair judging and safety precautions, therefore rules of competition and headgear like in amateur/Olympic boxing is strictly enforced.
Although last years (2002) National Finals event was a bit under the expected growth rate due to the 9-11 tragedy of the previous year, of all the past IKF Nationals Tournaments, last year's event was more successful in regards to the level of competition which improves every year. Like any event such as this, in previous years following the first, more kickboxers hear of the quality of the event and more come out of the woodworks to "Walk The Walk!" Some after the event that were confident of victory before it all started found themselves saying, "oh well, they really came to fight this year...I'll be back to go for it again next year!" They now realize that the IKF Nationals Tournament is a must for serious kickboxers and is setting the standard for who are TRULY the best Amateur Kickboxers in America!
The International Kickboxing Federation has been the front runner in recognizing past champions who have contributed to the sport of Kickboxing. It doesn't matter which organization they fought for, the only thing that matters is that they are recognized kickboxers who helped grow this great sport in their respective divisions or styles. Last year's event was swarmed with past and current amateur and pro champions who realize the impact of the IKF Nationals Tournament.
Many of them are now training up and coming champions of their own. Just to name a few of those in attendance over the years were IKF World Champions Dave "Madman" Marinoble, Anthony "Powerhouse" Bartenelli, Duke Roufus, Kongnapa, Mike Labree along with other Champions such as Kevin Hudson, Jim Zbilski, Jimmy Stewart, Johnny "Superfoot" Davis, Chuck Wolfe, Bookerd Fairtex, Bob "Thunder" Thurmond, Curtis Bush, Scott Mincey and many others...
After speaking with many of these champions, all had the same general feelings about the tournament... "Think of where Kickboxing would be today if we had this type of tournament years ago, it would now be an Olympic event!" Several of them cringed to think of the prizes they had fought for as compared to the beautiful awards these National Amateur Champions were receiving. The championship belts alone would make most past champions envious as well as proud of those whom they were presenting them to after their victory. Moreover, the winners received beautiful black hooded jackets with the IKF Nationals Tournament logo. They also receive a pair of autograph boxing gloves also embossed with the IKF Nationals Tournament logo. All the 2nd place finishers received a finalist medal. And as in past years, everyone will receive a Wipps Brainpad/Mouthpiece.
Past and current champions alike are excited about the Nationals. Past champions know that it was their blood, sweat, and tears that provided this moment for fighters today. These great champions promised even more participation from their gyms for the 2003 Nationals and were proud to be a part of this momentous event.
This years
2003
IKF/TKO USA National
Amateur Championship Finals
location is the
U.S.
Cellular Center Arena
In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA.
The arena has a total of
16,200 square feet on the actual arena floor and 30,000 square feet total making
plenty of bleacher seating for spectators.
It is one of the most impressive
entertainment venues in the midwest.
It also has 4 locker rooms for the
participants and plenty of warm-up area surrounding the outside of the arena
bowl.
This years Host Hotel is the
Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel (Left)
It is connected by
hallway to the event venue, the US Cellular Center and connected by 12-block
skywalk system to numerous shopping and dining options and 2 theatres, the
Theatre Cedar Rapids and the IMAX Theatre.
The hotel is located 10 minutes
from the airport and they do have free shuttle service. All 275 rooms in the
16-story hotel feature cable TV and in-room movies, coffee maker, hair dryer,
ironing board/iron and there are non-smoking rooms available. Hotel offers
concierge level, business center, fitness center, indoor pool, and sauna.
Top
of the Five rooftop restaurant and Front Street Lounge, serving lighter fare,
are both open 7 days a week.
So, amateur kickboxers across this great nation, the "white glove" is off, the line is drawn in the sand and the challenge is issued, Train hard and get ready to
"WALK THE WALK" AND BRING IT ON!
to the
2003 IKF/TKO Regionals and
USA National Championship Finals...
YOUR TRUE TEST TO BE THE BEST!
"WALK THE WALK!"
Bring
It ON!
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
The IKF USA National Amateur Championship Tournament is open to both men and women "AMATEURS" ages 8 and up from the USA.
SEEDING & Placement - Regionals to Finals
YEARLY TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS
The WINNERS of the each division will be crowned the IKF USA National Amateur Champion. There will only be 1 USA National Amateur Champion.