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Permission to reprint is granted and minor
changes can be made without request for approval. For additional
information please contact Bart Molenda @ 647-887-7896 or bmolenda@@gmail.com
(remove one '@' symbol - for spam purposes)
November 26th, 2006
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KICKBOXING RECEIVES OFFICIAL
SANCTIONING FROM GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO AFTER 30 YEAR BAN
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ONTARIO'S FIRST OFFICIAL
AMATEUR KICKBOXING EVENT GETS GOVERNMENT APPROVAL
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FIGHTERS PREP FOR THE MAIN
EVENT - NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS KICKBOXING
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KICKBOXING RECEIVES OFFICIAL SANCTIONING FROM
GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO AFTER 30 YEAR BAN
November 21st, 2006, Toronto, Ontario: Following a number of
proceedings, government meetings, and extensive planning, the
Government of Ontario has officially sanctioned kickboxing a
recognized sport in Ontario under the non-profit organization
Kickboxing Ontario.
Kickboxing’s history started in the early 1970’s when several key
karate favorites began experimenting with new forms of combat. The
result moved elements of traditional karate into a boxing format –
using rounds of continuous non-stop full contact combat for two minute
rounds. Many accomplished karate champions were suddenly challenged
when they found their point fighting techniques ineffective in this
new medium. Karate’s quick, explosive movement in short intervals to
score single points was not effective in kickboxing, and this
intrigued a new audience of competitors that were interested in
experimenting with techniques that were more realistic with actual
combat.
Kickboxing’s origins saw competitors frequently getting injured due to
a lack of regulation, proper coaching, officiating, and overall
procedures for matches. As there were no formal bodies that regulated
the sport in Canada, the Government of Ontario banned competitions due
to a lack of procedures, safety, and regulations.
Over the years some have tried to create a sanctioning organization
for the sport to allow for events and competitions. Recently, efforts
by a small group of individuals began to make progress and meet all
government requirements for official sanctioning. In the first half of
2006, the paperwork was submitted, operational plans and procedures
drafted, a board was chosen, and Kickboxing became approved under the
organization ‘Kickboxing Ontario’ as a ‘Provincial Sport Organization’
to oversee all sport related functions including competitions,
coaching, and officiating.
The new governing body, Kickboxing Ontario, is also affiliated with
the ‘Council of Amateur Sport Kickboxing’ (CASK). CASK oversees
Provincial Sport Organizations across the country and has several
member provinces. Working together with CASK, Kickboxing Ontario has
now organized the first official Kickboxing event in Ontario, taking
place on November 25 in Burlington. The event will showcase local,
national, and international amateur talent, including a local athlete
that recently won the gold medal at the 2006 World Championships in
Spain. The event will showcase both male, female, junior and veteran
competitors with two title fights as main events. Tickets for the
event are still available and more information can be found at
www.kickboxingontario.org or by calling 905-681-9815
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Media Inquiries:
Bart Molenda
647-887-7896
bmolenda@@gmail.com
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ONTARIO'S FIRST OFFICIAL AMATEUR KICKBOXING EVENT GETS
GOVERNMENT APPROVAL
November 21st, 2006, Burlington, Ontario: On November 25th-
26th, Burlington will host the very first amateur kickboxing
championship in Ontario.
Amateur kickboxing has only now become a recognized sport by the
provincial government (Ministry of Health Promotion – Sport and
Recreation Branch), so the interest in this first inaugural event is
being highly anticipated by the martial arts/kickboxing industry.
There are expected to be over 100 athletes that will participate in
the event. The competition will be held over two days with actual
bouts being on Saturday (10:00am-3:00pm, 7:00pm-10:00pm), and Sunday
(10:00am-3:00pm). Clubs and gyms from across Ontario are sending
athletes to this event. Participants are expected from Thunderbay,
Ottawa, Sudbury, London, Windsor, Kingston, and the GTA. Additional
teams are fielding athletes from as far away as Newfoundland, Nova
Scotia, British Columbia and Quebec.
There will be divisions at the tournament for boys and girls from aged
10-18, as well as men and women. The event coordinator expects a large
turnout from junior athletes and especially women. ‘Women have been
involved in kickboxing in both the fitness aspect, and also the
martial arts aspect. This sport is a natural progression for them, and
many want to experience the actual competitive side of the activity,’
said Muzammal Nawaz the Burlington tournament coordinator.
The Saturday evening features a special night-time show featuring more
experienced athletes from across Canada. There will be a Canadian
title bout on the line, plus a number of provincial and regional
titles.
The event will be held at the Burlington Seniors Center (2285 New
Street, Burlington). The competition is open to spectators ($30 for
the weekend) as well as the Saturday night show. The doors open at
6:00pm with the first bout beginning at 7:00pm. Tickets are $25
(Saturday evening) and will be available at the door. For more
information please contact the Council of Amateur Sport Kickboxing at
(905) 681-9815.
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Media Inquiries:
Bart Molenda
647-887-7896
bmolenda@@gmail.com
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FIGHTERS PREP FOR THE MAIN EVENT - NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS
KICKBOXING
November 21st, 2006, Burlington Ontario: On November 25th,
Burlington will host the very first amateur kickboxing championship in
Ontario. The sport of kickboxing has achieved great popularity over
recent years, in part due to the Tae Bo fitness craze and various
martial arts movies. The event will be the ‘real-deal’ with top
Canadian athletes from across Canada coming to Ontario for the first
time to test their skills and determination.
The main event of the evening will feature a Canadian National
Championship bout in the welterweight division featuring John Nash
(Mississauga) verses Rene Gratton (Montreal). The 19 year-old Nash is
considered experienced with over 10 years of kickboxing experience. He
has competed in Europe, Africa, Asia, and across North America. He
will enter the ring as the former North American Junior champion.
His opponent is a seasoned veteran as an accomplished senior athlete.
Gratton is the current Quebec Champion and has been undefeated over
the past 5 years of competition. The Quebec athlete defeated Nash in
an earlier meeting in Quebec. Nash was just entering the senior
division after many years as the top junior in Canada and feels that
this was a learning experience for him. Gratton has stated that the
young Nash needs more time to compete against adults. This is a highly
anticipated bout with the young lion taking on the seasoned king of
the sport.
In other bouts, the ‘Siberian Tiger’ – Yury Evsyunin (Toronto)
formerly from Russia, will be moving up in weight to challenge
Stephane Bernadel (Quebec). Evsyunin is known for his KO power ending
most bouts early, whereas Mernadel is a smart technical athlete with
many years of sport karate competition. Mernadel and Bernadel will be
fighting for the Central Canadian title.
There will be a special heavyweight match-up featuring Canadian
National team member Sandy Pemboke (Ottawa) facing former top Canadian
boxer Terry Dummitt (Peterborough). These two athletes have well over
200 bouts between them, both with tremendous knockout percentages. The
bout will be a classic kicker verses boxer with both heavyweights
looking to make there mark in this first Ontario bout.
Bart Molenda (Toronto) will be facing Ben Ladoucheur (Ottawa) in a
light-heavyweight bout. Molenda is a member of the Canadian National
team and a seasoned competitor on the North American circuit.
Ladoucher is from the well-respected camp of former World Professional
champion – Jean Yves Theriault of Ottawa. This bout promises to
feature some hard-hitting action between these two strong athletes.
In junior action, child prodigy Ross Mylet (Oakville) will face Tyler
Asfelstine (Kingston). Mylet is considered the rising star in the
sport having won the North American junior title in Florida last year.
He is known for his exciting kicking ability as he spins and jumps
while landing hard kicks on his unsuspecting opponents. Asfelstine is
an up-and-coming athlete, trained by former professional athlete and
2001 World Championships bronze medallist - Dan Coles. Both these
athletes are expected to kick off the evening with some spectacular
fast paced kickboxing action.
The event will be held at the Burlington Seniors Center (2285 New
Street, Burlington). The doors open at 6:00pm with the first bout
beginning at 7:00pm. Tickets are $25 and will be available at the
door. For more information please contact the Council of Amateur Sport
Kickboxing at (905) 681-9815.
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Media Inquiries:
Bart Molenda
647-887-7896
bmolenda@@gmail.com
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