The buildup of the K1 Kings event has been electric. Representatives from Motai Fighting Club, Evolution Fight Academy, and of course INVINCIBLE, had been training for weeks for what was, to many, their first amateur kickboxing match. Friends, family, and colleagues were told, the date booked, and the expectation high. The event itself took place in our beloved Che Gong Miao Gym, which had been transformed from the training house we all know and love, to an arena in which to put all the fighters had learned to the test. 

On the day of the event, September 21st, it was a beautiful Saturday. The last of the Shenzhens summer sun shining brightly as if in mutual celebration and acknowledgement of the fighters efforts. Upon entering the gym early in the afternoon, the mood was one of bustling activity, like a hive of very muscular bees. Final preparations were being made in the placement of food and drinks, the front desk area being cleared in anticipation of the masses about to descend. Lines of neatly stacked shoes like little smelly soldiers already forming. But then, as the afternoon wore on, and a small trickle of people began to arrive, the atmosphere and activity began to morph into something more palpable.

INVINCIBLE´s warriors wandered the gym, helping wherever they were needed, its fighters of that day trying to avoid the temptation to begin warming up too early. Then as a group, the fighters, coaches and friends of Motai arrived to the gym. Welcomed at the front by the ever charming Woody, impish grin on face and ever present twinkle in eye, and then by our fighters and teammates. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, with fighters from both gyms eyeing those around them, keenly searching for their soon to be opponents. Both gyms conducted themselves admirably, showing an openness and welcome enviable in any sport, never mind those based on combat. Shortly after, the representatives of EFA arrived and the process repeated with as much positive emotion as before. 

They were all here, and it was time to begin.

Now was time for what everyone had arrived for. The gym had filled almost to capacity, everyone chatting excitedly, beers in hand, with fighters beginning to warm up and stretch, many of the audience attending their first ever fight event. Woody took to the ring, which had been placed in the center of the floor to allow ample viewing from every side, and made the announcement that the first fight was 15 minutes out, to a roar of approval. The murmur of voices and atmosphere magnified, the charge and energy of the crowd infectious, everyone eager for the first display. For the fighters in the waiting area going through their warm ups, it seemed a wall of sound had risen up in the next room, spiking anticipation with what they knew was soon coming. Each ran through their own preferred movements, with footwork and strikes flowing like water as they eased muscles bunched by tension, and got blood flowing. 

In what seemed like moments the music of the first fighters walkout began playing as the announcement calling them to the ring was made; INVINCIBLE´s own Weijian Lin (Ken), who took this fight on a weeks’ notice when another fighter was injured. The crowd went wild, all supporters and gyms showing support and appreciation, but none louder than INVINCIBLE. Ken moved into the ring and took his position as his opponent was announced and began his walk out Liao Zhishi of Motai Gym with EFA´s coach refereeing the bout. And within moments the round began, the crowd erupted in cheers and screams. Each punch and kick drawing reactions from the crowd, and every eye following their movements hungrily. Advice was screamed from every corner of the room (good and bad), and at the end of the three rounds, as was the pre-agreed terms, the match was declared a draw.  Only a knockout or TKO would be considered a win at this event. Of the six matches, only one was a TKO, all others going the distance.  

Those fights following the first were:

接下来的战斗是：

Tian Jia Jun (Motai) vs. He Ruizhong (EFA)

田佳峻(墨泰) 对战 何睿中(EFA)

Rocky (INVINCIBLE) vs. Li Zhishang (EFA)

周鹏(INVINCIBLE) 对战 李智尚(EFA)

Ciaran McLinton (INVINCIBLE) vs. Dingbujian (Motai) 

Ciaran McLinton(INVINCIBLE) 对战 丁卜建(墨泰) 

Guo Yuanzhen (EFA) vs. Wang Jue (Motai)

郭远烨(EFA) 对战 王珏(墨泰)

Wang Guo Wei (EFA) vs. Matthieu Cochard (INVINCIBLE)

王国维(EFA) 对战 Matthieu Cochard(INVINCIBLE)

Throughout every one of these fights, the crowd watched avidly and roared approval of every engagement, hard shot, well timed kick, and knockdown, while groans in sympathy rolled out to particularly hard knocks. As the night and fights progressed, the input of the crowd never once faltered, the opposite in fact. Helped along with the well appreciated drinks from Top Shelf Asia and Zeffer, and the excellent selection of snacks offered up by Woodpecker, it in fact became more and more energized. The end of the third round and the raised hands of both fighters were greeted with thunderous applause that would have done a coliseum proud.

Each time the fighters left the ring cheers and congratulations of supporters from all gyms smashed into them like blows from the recent bout. In fact, by the time the fights had finished, a stranger would have been hard pressed to distinguish the different gyms fans and fighters, if not for the logos, such was the camaraderie and inclusiveness of the groups. Everyone stood around drinking, celebrating, taking photos, and thanking their opponents for the opportunity to test themselves. The feeling had evolved into more of a party than a sporting event, with the energy of the fights carrying over, and when the music started from the speakers, the party vibe truly took on a life of its own. There was food and drinks aplenty, and people stayed for hours after the final bell, taking full advantage. 

Woody:

There are countless lessons to be learnt from a martial arts lifestyle. It’s our job as mentors to teach three things - Body, Mind and Spirit. Body is the physical movement, training and techniques. Mind is how to apply the the techniques and strategies. Spirit is the cultivation of good character traits. 

As the first amateur event of this nature attempted by the gyms it was agreed by any and all that were asked that “Roaring success” would be a fair description for what was undeniably an amazing evening. Those who hadn´t known what to expect were delighted at what it had turned into. There were no negative feelings presented by any in attendance, and after the fights themselves, laughter, drinking, dancing and good vibes filled the hall, and lasted long into the night. As people left, it was usually with the question of when the next event will take place? Will it be as good a party? And can they bring more friends? To whit we say: Soon. Even better. And, the more the merrier.