Tamshiwari Swedish Open

Swedish Open 2012

It was unfortunately dropout into the tournament and in the final days before. But one can hardly say that it hampered implementation. As always, men between the largest weight class. Unfortunately, given one of the favorites to an injury early, which probably influenced the final result. England's Darren Chan was injured (knee injury?) This happened when he performed a technique, and there was no way to continue. Lithuanian fighter, Vytautas Cepla was also one that was expected to go far. He did well, he reached the final and on his way he took Diego Lussi CHE, Darren Chan GB, Michael Meineche DEN.

In the final he met the Spanish Fernando Gandia. The Spanish fighter wins this class with aggressive and hard fighting. And for many this was a surprise, also to be mention that the Spanish fighter was one of the lighter fighters in the division. His road to the final was through Maher Bahjat SWE, Sebastian Dhorme FRA, Kovàcks Balàzs HUN.

Kovàcks Balàzs HUN vsGustav Dahl Swe

Photo by Johnny Buchwald  

Men lightweight came out with Andrius Miseckas LTU on top. He was a favorite to win, and not so surprising in itself. He has extensive experience at the top level and has the technical and strength to go through. Erik Magnusson SWE, Daniel Karlsson SWE, before he met Konrad Kozubowzski - Polish technical fighter, who had impressed earlier in the tournament. On his road to the final Johan Karlsson SWE, Alan Shnawa GB and a spectacular knock out against David Engelhardt SWE. This division had a high level and a lot of highlight to remember!

Women light weight. This category had some really top fighters with strong record to prove it. Inga Mikstate LTU , on the top of the category. As predicted of many. On her way to the final : Tina Johansen NOR, Helga Tòth HUN an d in the final Alexandra Vuleviv DEN. The final become a little anticlimax after a grueling fight against Tòth . This fight was a replay from EC earlier this year,  as now Mikstate came out winning.  Mikstate also received Shihan Attila Meszaros special price and Tòth best fighter women.

But this time Tòth almost took the fight and many believe that its just a matter of time. Tòth also showed very god fighting this day, and scored a spectacular knock out against strong home fighter Elvadina Kljajic in the second round. Tòth`s first fight was against Agata Godos POL. Alexandra Vulevic showed technical good fighting against Marta Lubos POL, overcame Canan Yorulmaz NED and Johanna Rapp SWE.

Tina Johansen NOR - Inga Mikstate LTU

Photo by Johnny Buchwald  

Women heavy weight was characterized by long hard struggle with many extensions. Home fighter Sara Hägge, was complete exhausted after winning the first fight against Denmark Kirsten Smith. Next fight was no fight taken in relation that Samantha Williams had walk over her first round. Sara Hägge could not put up a fight against a fresh Williams, Willimas strong as she is. Williams wins the final against Christina Bucholtz DEN.

Men heavy weight was the category of the day. And the final between Kevin Wiklund SWE and Jimmie Collin SWE was a high technical and very strategic competitive fight. Collins entering the tournament at 80 kg impressed big taking out strong heavy weight on his path to the final. Lukasz Lemiesko POL went down for a superb timed kick, and French powerhouse Romain Gentile took a taste of the same medicine. But both fighter are very strong and Collin received some hard hits before he took the victories. Wiklund also a strong technical fighter met Faddy Allan DEN in his first fight. Allan almost sent Wiklund down with a front kick to the face! Here is Wiklund lucky, for this was so close you can come without k.o. But Wiklund hard as he is took over and used his routine on the far more inexperienced Allan that we should keep an eye on the future. Simon Påhlsson SWE in his second international full contact tournament could not match Wiklund in the next fight. But also he showed good fighting in his first fight, and preformed a tameshiwari that open many eyes.

Jimmie Collin SWE - Kevin Wiklund SWE

Photo by Johnny Buchwald  

Wiklund vs Collin.

All in the arena was on their edged of their seats. Many where waiting for a high pressure from Wiklund, assuming that his way to the final had not been so damaging as Collins. The fighters came together in technical exchanges, which proved top level. Each technique thrown with years of experience behind. Time passed but no one managed to get any advantage. This continued until the weight was determined. And there it turned out that Wiklund had 11 kg more than his opponent. Jimmie Collin winner of the Swedish Open Heavyweight 2012! This is hugely significant. Collin met most others at 15, 17 and 11 kg of their weight, and all with international records. Jimmie Collin awarded best fighter for men.

( se more pictures from http://www.wiklunddojo.com/ )

But most of all this was a great day for all who loves Kyokushin karate.