Closing in to the greatest event,keeping the full contact Karate tradition alive: A World Tournament in Open Weight – the excitement raises and the expectations have never been higher. It would be hard to tell how such a great championship will turn out – but we will at least take a little closer look at the fighters, the draw and maybe also get to “know” some new fighters as well.. Men C block. Remember: it is only speculation – based on previous records and fight.. We appreciate and warmly welcome when fighters disprove our speculation 🙂
The C block first name gives us a very strong European fighter with record from fighting all over the World. Reign EC Champion,top 4 last time he fought in Japan,7th last WT. Edgard Sečinski / Lithuania. Sečinski is really a strong fighter, and with tools to end fights before full time. This will bring him further in the tournament – be prepared to face a technician in his first – Miroslav Milev / Bulgaria, edge to reach,weight and record: Sečinski. On collision course, with similar record from IFK/KWU Victor Belyaev / Russia. But before these two can meet, Belyaev must face and win vs Levent Magyar / Hungary and not at least Yusaku Watanabe / Japan.
Student of legendary 2 times World Champion Tsukamoto – Yusaku Watanabe, will be very interesting. We have seen him fight before, and it only makes us more interested what he can bring into next tournament. Strong and explosive, and he reads his opponents very well. Plus the fact that he comes from Tsukamoto Dojo, and what kind of surprises they ca bring to the tatami – no one can know. His biggest challenge in the opening rounds will be as mention Victor Belyaev – before possible fight vs Sečinski. Watanabe has been tested European fighters at this level before – going to “war” with Maciej Mazur in the 11th Kokoro Cup last year. The height and knees favor Sečinski – low-kicks and hard strikes to Watanabe.
A veteran in the World Championship: Brian Jakobsen /Denmark. Been in the World Champion line up for over twenty years – and been top 5 in 2011, but the most amazing achievement would be special awards THREE times.The big question: what can he bring to the table this time? We believe that his routine can advance, and would look at a possible fight against Japanese middleweight fighter Junki Ochi. Size would be Jakobsen for sure, but high pace, weight decision favor Junki Ochi. Can Dane trap the Ochi and take him out? Pi-photo.pl
The winner of Jakobsen and Ochi, can face the winner of another Europe vs Japan setup. Kęstutis Radvila / Lithuania – the top fighter from Europe will be the favorite to move on until he have a possible fight against Kosei Ochiai / Japan. Radvila are known for good low kicks, and tears his opponents down with repeatedly attacking their legs. In this case that weapon will be neutralized up to a certain point by the 40 kg heavier Ochiai. Weight are mention, wight could be the factor of the outcome of the fight – one way or the other.
Moving down to the lower part of the C block, we see another veteran, Lukas Kubilius / Lithuania. Less active lately, manage a 3rd place in 2017 World weight category. Less active but still in the game, and down on the line fighters like Oleksandr Tymets / Ukraine, Evgeny Otopkov / Russia will challenge the reign 3rd place holder from 4 years back. We believe that Otopkov will be the hardest nut to crack – if Kubilius can crack him. Otopkov made a good qualification in Russia, ending 2nd after Nasirov in Russia Open-weight tournament in 2018.
The lower part of the C bloc are a really good mix, age, size and experience – the one thing in common would be that the level among the fighters are very good. Top fighter from Kazakhstan Merey Suyonov, World Champion in KWU, haven’t manage to make into the top WKO – yet, but great fighter that wiill advance. This could result in a “reunion” at the tatami vs Swedish Simon Pålsson. The fought back in French Open many years ago (2014) Suyonov manage to win then – but now? The winner will likely face young promising Mateuzs Kaptur / Poland.
All the way down in Block C, we have one of the Japanese star-fighters Daiki Kato. Kato has been on the top spots not only in japan – but also top spots in World Tournaments. Best achievements in the weight categories, but several tops spots in All Japan Open – in company with Iriki and Shimamoto. Kato is expected to move on, and will met the winner of Todor Todorov / Bulgaria – and Dmitrii Solovyev / Russia KWU. Solovyev with high merits and a top three in IFK World championship should move on. VS Kato it can be a new experience all tough.
