About two month left to we will be gathered in Sweden, Goteborg! Through this weekend and start of the week, new fighters and nations has entered the Swedish Open tournament..and the categories are being filled fast. Poland, Denmark and Switzerland are new counties that have entered the tournament since last time we took a closer look. Now we continue to look at some of the fighters that are in the line up..
As mentioned the Swedish Oped do have a 16 fighters limit in each category. The heavy weight are almost full! Only two more places is open in this category, that will be over 80 kg (as tradition) That the heavy weight category are from 80 kg and up, does make the category naturally faster to fill – thinking of that we are used to have light heavyweight and heavyweight for the fighters above middleweight. See full list of fighters HERE
From last time we had a look some new nations and fighters has entered. Poland, Denmark and Switzerland.
Poland with Marek Wolny, well known for previous Swedish Open, and being at the EC podium more than one time. From Tarnogórski Klub Karate, Poland, and from same Dojo Marta Lubos, very strong fighter in the women lightweight category. Just reached the final in the KWU European Championship, and do have a European Championship gold in the U22 category from before. Been nominated for the best fighter/ technician in several tournaments.
IFK Switzerland, brings inn a big team. Represented in ALL of the categories and with more than one fighter in some category, the team will be one of the largest – if not the largest. IFK Switzerland do have some traditions in the Swedish Open. We have to go back in 2008 – winner of the heavy weight for men was Stefan Hofer. Maybe his footsteps are about to bee followed..It is also notable that IFK Switzerland support the tournament with many female fighters, one in the heavyweight, and three in the lightest division. Maybe not the heaviest merited, but all with tournament records. Some will maybe look twice at the name Helen Boutellier, some years back fighting for Germany in the European Championship Shinkyokushin.
Last nation so far, Denmark. Two fighters in the heavyweight with Fady Allan, and Julian Bjerrekær. Both great technicians, well merited and will be a factor in this category. Fady Allan being the reign Danish Open champion in, and for Julian this will be his first tournament in the heaviest category. All that witness last Swedish Open remember his stylish fighting and a very entertained fight against Sweden`s raising star and equal: Rasmus Bergström in the middleweight.
In the middleweight from Denmark, national team member Michael Meineche will fight. Also he is the reign Danish Open Champion, and took a third place in Swedish Open back in 2012, that point out high level for several years.
….more will come..