For those who could not attend this year’s EC, we will give you a small report. The Swiss Shin Kyokushin Association, have from previously strong tournaments: Swiss Open for Junior and adults. But the EC is a major event and many challenging awaits those who organize. Among the participants there were also challenges, which made the line up not quite as expected ..

Lucerne in Switzerland, This is an incredibly beautiful city, and there is a high standard in a well cared townscape. The Swiss Life Arena was a good venue to host the EC. There was plenty of space around the mats, and a main mat lifted higher. It was also a great venue where athletes could rest and warm up. There were, however, missed a speaker system inside the hall so one could stay updated as a performer.

Above each mat was hung up a big screen. These showed who was going to fight, and which country athlete came from. This is something we’ve missed – until now, but it requires that it is adapted and that you have a back up system if there would be technical problems. Another part that was somewhat problematic, was to have released the draw. But this is always a challenge, as athletes withdraw due to illness etc. This is a subject one always have to work with, but one can never be possible that everything will be 100%

And this year it was many names that did not show at the tournament, names who was at the line up. This made many wonder how this would effect the tournament, and the results. Most  discussed was how the Lithuanian team was suddenly turn completely around from what the presented at the World Cup. Being the strongest nation in  Europa,this attracted of course much attention. And just for the record : Lukas Kubilius, Margarita Cyuplyte, Orest Proc, Inga Mikstaite, Edgard Secinskij all known fighters in the top, was not in the tournament.

Men Super Heavyweight.

This category missed some of the known as Luckas Kubilius, Brian Jakobsen and Romain  Gentile, but there was of course fighters who was more than ready! Andrius Draugelis from Lithuania 3rd place EC 2011, took this category. Winning against Romanian fighter  Dorin Margarint in the final. Dorint on his side pulled out a strong victory against Polish top fighter Karol Ciesluk. This fight was a very hard fight, both fighters took the other mans strongest attack. Draugelis did not fight his quarterfinal, since Emzar Nikatsadze from Georgia was pulled out during injury. The category had 14 fighters, and the dominance of the eastern Europe countries was complete with 8th first places taken. Jakobsen out of the tournament and Sweden`s Olsson early exit, no one could split the podium this year.

Men Heavyweight.

In a 19 fighters strong line up, there was ready for several good fights. For some years have Bulgaria with Valeri Dimitrov fought off Lithuanian elite fighters from the top spot, but this have change the two last years. Valeri Dimitrov continued with his dominance and Poland with Marek Wolny and Maciej Mazur have shared the 3rd place 2012 and this year. That leaves 2nd place open to a new man at the podium : Vasil Vangelov also from Bulgaria. Vangelov showed very good all round skills and great physical shape, only the TEN times European Champion, his countryman Valeri Dimitrov culd stop him.

Men middleweight

22 fighters stood ready in this category, and  : Marius Ilas Romania wins the middleweight, and raises his record to FIVE EC titles! In the finales Ilas faced Vytautas Cepla from Lithuania. Ilas given the victory after 3 minutes, and some wanted to see more, but there was never any doubt. Ilas in control making Cepla use his energy less effective. In this category the quarterfinal went out during an injured  Yasir Mammadov from Azerbaijan. Leaving Cepla with Walk Over. Yasir Mammadov , fought Swedish top fighters Jimmie Collin, and did beat Collin with a weight decision. But as said this fight costed him the next fight. Ilas on his side beat Csaba Wiszler from Hungary. Wiszler showing very strong fighting, and he will,be a name to look out for in the future. In this category fighters from Georgia and Azerbaijan made a strong impression. And already inn the opening round there was very hard fights.

Men lightweight

Number one the last years , Gabor Rozsa from Hungary, did not fail to take his 5th EC title, and he also took the technique award, and Tameshiwari award! Clean hyper fast fighting brings Rozsa in a own class, but this year several interesting fighters made their statement,and once again Georgian and Azerbaijan fighters show that they are on their way. Lasha Khachapuridze Georgia, 2nd place, 3rd place Andrei Zinchenko, Georgia and Salahat HASANOV from Azerbaijan.

..more to come..