K-1 WGP 2008 in Fukuoka

2008-07-07 00:00:00

FUKUOKA, June 29, 2008 -- Twenty-six-year-old kyokushin fighter Ewerton Teixeira of Brazil won the K-1 Japan Grand Prix 2008

Teixeira and Nakasako.

Teixeira with kicks to start, Nakasako leaning in with straight punches but unable to find his distance. Tentative strikes and only occasional combinations through most of the first round. Teixeira sailed a spinning back kick short early in the second before scoring a down with a right low kick that stung Nakasako's left knee. With Nakasako in distress, Teixeira focused his attacks, planting low kicks one after the other on the left leg. Nakasako struggled to push forward with the punches, and paid the price when closing, but made it out of the round.

Teixeira varied his attacks in the third while continuing to give special attention to Nakasako's lead leg. To his credit, Nakasako crusaded through the pain, staying on his feet and in the fight right to the final bell. The unanimous decision, however, went to Teixeira.

And so it was Teixeira and Maeda in the Main Event.

After a cautious start, a Teixeira right straight punch on the counter knocked an off-balance Maeda back and into the ropes, but the Japanese fighter stayed on his feet. Ever circling, Maeda kept out of harm's way through the first, but offered little in the way of offense. In the second, Maeda opened with a low kick before resuming his circling tactic. Teixeira closed to a clinch as the action waned. The Brazilian then began to cut off the ring and launched punching attacks, making good contact with a right, although Maeda responded with a straight left to keep things close.

 The third round started promisingly, the fighters exchanging punches, both making use of speed, both sound on defense. Teixeira went mostly with the left-right tight combinations, occasionally tossing in a low kick; while Maeda swung away with abandon. Teixeira clocked the Japanese fighter with a right hook, while Maeda managed only partial contact from inside.

Teixeira by unanimous decision. With his tournament win, Teixeira takes the Japan GP 2008 belt and advances to the K-1 World GP 2008 Final Elimination in Seoul on September 29.

"I want to thank kyokushin," said the beaming Brazilian afterward. "I'm happy to become the Japan Grand Prix Champion, but this is just the beginning. Now I have to train hard to become the K-1 World Grand Prix Champion!"

 Asked if he was ready to take on Semmy Schilt, Teixeira smiled, "Schilt is an extremely strong fighter, I will have to practice long and hard if I'm going to compete with him!"

Osu
Hugo Sensei
http://karatevideo.tv/user/531/

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