K-1
WHAT IS K-1?
K-1 is a combat sport that combines stand up techniques
from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, Savate, San shou,
Kickboxing and traditional Boxing to determine in a
one-night tournament the single best stand-up fighter
in the world.
The K of K-1 is taken from the initials of these standing
fighting sports, such as karate, kickboxing, kung-fu,
Kyokushin, and Kempo.
Organization
The K-1 organization's governing body is Fighting and
Entertainment Group (FEG). They organize a variety of
fightsport events in Japan and around the world. There
are K-1 Regional Elimination Tournaments which qualify
fighters for the K-1 World Grand Prix,
along with licensed K-1 Fighting Network events designed
to develop new talent internationally and there is also
a 70.5kg (155lb) Super Middleweight division called
K-1 MAX ("Middleweight Artistic Xtreme").
In 2007, K-1 introduced a two new Title belts separate
from K-1 World GP Champions, Super Heavyweight World
Title for fighters over 100kg/220lbs and Heavyweight
World Title for fighters under 100kg/156-220lbs. FEG
also promotes HERO's mixed martial arts events.
History
The sport was first formed by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a former
Kyokushin karate practicioner who had formed his own organization,
Seido-kaikan karate, in 1980. Seido-kaikan arranged several
successful challenge events against other martial arts
organizations, originally using rules based on the Kyokushin
Knockdown karate rules, but gradually adapting and changing
closer to kickboxing rules. In 1993 Mr. Ishii founded
the K-1 organization exclusively as a kickboxing organization.
K-1 has developed into a huge event unprecedented in
fighting sports with TV tie-ups.
During the progressive era from 1997 to 2000, it was a
time for considering how to improve K-1 events. As the
number and quality of fighters increased, the K-1 Grand
Prix, originally held with just 8 fighters, has developed
into a high-level convention with tough elimination rounds
starting with 300 fighters.
After the recession years 2002-3, K-1 returned to excellence.
The 2005 main event, the World GP Final, attracted a
sellout crowd of 58,213 to the Tokyo Dome and is broadcast
in more than 90 countries. 2007, a network of overseas
broadcasters brought World GP action to television viewers
in 135 countries.
/source: wikipedia/
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