Itching to compete

Discussion in 'Kickboxing' started by Jaydub, Sep 12, 2017.

  1. Jaydub

    Jaydub Valued Member

    Last week I volunteered at a local fight card and observed a few Kickboxing fights, both Amateur and Professional. I have about three years of full-contact Karate under my belt. With more focus on cardio and flexibility, as well as familiarizing myself with ISKA rules, I'm confident that I would be able to at least hold my own in the Amateur Novice category. I have no intention of changing up my martial art, or even adding more than a couple drop-in Kickboxing classes to my training routine.

    I'm 100% confident that I could bring myself to the level of fitness required. I'm a goal-driven individual, so the goal of competing would give me motivation. The only issue is age. I'm 36 years old. There does not appear to be an age cap on the BC Athletic Commission website. Just a minimum age of 16 years old.

    I have no delusions about turning Pro, or even really competing beyond the Novice level. I just want a goal to strive for, and the experience. Do you think that this could be a realistic option for me?
     
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  2. aikiMac

    aikiMac aikido + boxing = very good Moderator Supporter

    If I was 36 instead of 46, I would be competing in the "masters division" in November, in boxing, after 2 years of training. ("Masters" = age 35 and up)
    Go for it! :D
     
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  3. Dead_pool

    Dead_pool Spes mea in nihil Deus MAP 2017 Moi Award

    What's the difference between the full contact karate you train, and the kickboxing you were watching?

    Different targets?
    Different rules?
    Different gloves?
     
  4. Rataca100

    Rataca100 Banned Banned

    JUST DO IT! DONT YOUR LET YOUR DREAMS BE DREAM! JUST DO IT!

    (i have to meme, come on. :p)
     
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  5. Jaydub

    Jaydub Valued Member

    The main difference is punches to the head are not authorized in Knockdown Full-Contact Karate rules. Gloves are not used, and pads are not used at higher levels.

    There is quite a bit of crossover between Full-Contact and Kickboxing. All other areas, including legs, are fair game (Besides the obvious: groin, joints, back, etc). We condition our body, legs, and shins to take hits. Knee strikes are also heavily utilized used in our style.

    Obviously, the most logical thing to do would be to join a Kickboxing gym. Between family and work commitments, I don't have time for that. I have good conditioning, good power, decent technique, and decent strategy. I know that my training doesn't all directly translate over, but I feel that there's enough overlap for me to be able to hold my own in an Amateur Novice fight.
     
  6. Dead_pool

    Dead_pool Spes mea in nihil Deus MAP 2017 Moi Award

    If your training kyokusin etc then obviously wearing gloves, hitting to the head, and not leaving your head open are major things you should work on, a TBI is no joke, so definitely work on those things, and spar to those rules (at least 10x the amount of rounds the comp is) before you fight under those rules.
    a famous Kyo guy who entered kickboxing is Andy hug, heres some good breakdowns.

    Andy's Gloves: The Night that Andy Hug Became a Kickboxer | FIGHTLAND

    Karate's Holy Trinity: Lyoto Machida, Semmy Schilt, and Andy Hug | FIGHTLAND
     
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  7. Jaydub

    Jaydub Valued Member

    My style of Karate in Seienjuku, which is very similar to Kyokushin.

    The great thing about my Dojo is that most people there come from other backgrounds, and practice other styles as well. My instructor encourages cross-training, and we are actively helping a member prepare for a Kickboxing (Sanshou, perhaps?) Tournament. Classes these days are generally focused on sparring and conditioning. With great support like that, I would not be going in completely unprepared.

    Loud and clear on the TBI warning. In my jurisdiction, Novice Kickboxers wear mandatory head protection.

    Thanks for the links. I love Vice Fightland. I will check them out when I get home.
     
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  8. Pretty In Pink

    Pretty In Pink Moved on MAP 2017 Gold Award

    Do it. Make the promoter aware that you'd like to fight someone of similar age and experience.

    Film it and let us know how you get on ^^
     
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  9. Dead_pool

    Dead_pool Spes mea in nihil Deus MAP 2017 Moi Award

    Sounds like you have the mindset, brains and the gym /dojo to do this safely, good luck!!
     
  10. Jaydub

    Jaydub Valued Member

    Thanks. I'm going to speak with my instructor tonight to see how he feels about it.
     
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  11. axelb

    axelb Master of Office Chair Fu

    if you have a team member prepping for sanshou, then it seems a good opportunity to get involved with their training.
    getting punches hard I the face can take some getting used to if it isn't in practise. it would be beneficial to get some sparring in with that ruleset; even check out boxing clubs if the kickboxing doesnt fit your schedule.

    also get the kit that you'll be wearing so you're used to sparring with headgear/padding, it can feel restrictive when you are used to sparring without.
     
  12. Jaydub

    Jaydub Valued Member

    My instructor advised me not to compete in Kickboxing without some actual training in Kickboxing.

    It makes perfect sense, and I will of course heed his advice. Looking back, it was a pretty silly idea to begin with.

    I'll try to make some time for Kickboxing in the future.
     
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  13. Mushroom

    Mushroom De-powered to come back better than before.

    My friend who runs a LungYing School in Australia, has been having her students compete in Kyokushin rules and now into some Kickboxing. Obviously sparring under their rulesets. And also bringing in some kickboxers to spar with.

    Keep us updated and film what you could. :)
     
  14. Dead_pool

    Dead_pool Spes mea in nihil Deus MAP 2017 Moi Award

    Sounds like you've got a great sensible coach!
     
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  15. Jaydub

    Jaydub Valued Member

    Agreed.

    I consider myself very fortunate to train under him.
     
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  16. Jaydub

    Jaydub Valued Member

    I just did a drop-in Kickboxing class at a friend's gym. It was both great and humbling at the same time.

    I did fairly well during all of the drills . I had good technique, speed, and power on all of my strikes. I kept up with the class during skipping, push-ups, and squats. For most of the class I thought I would have a pretty decent chance stepping into the ring as a Kickboxer. Then we sparred...

    It's while we were sparring that I realized I have a big hole in my game. While my kicks and foot work were good, my boxing really sucks. I landed some good body punches, but I couldn't land a head shot to save my life. Furthermore, my opponent landed about 90% of his attempted head shots on me.

    I had a great time overall and really worked up a sweat. I also learned a very valuable lesson; I'm now fully aware that I would need significant cross-training before I can even think about competing as a Kickboxer.
     
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  17. Pretty In Pink

    Pretty In Pink Moved on MAP 2017 Gold Award

    Well keep going, then go and compete ^^
     
  18. Jaydub

    Jaydub Valued Member

    We shall see.

    As I've said before, I have a family. I could only negotiate training three times a week and that is deicated solely to my current style. I may dial back my Karate training slightly once I reach Shodan. Although I'll probably take up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at that point.

    At thirty-six, I think I'm too old to seriously consider competitive Kickboxing anymore. That being said, who knows what the future will bring.
     
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  19. Morik

    Morik Well-Known Member Supporter MAP 2017 Gold Award

    I keep contemplating whether I'm going to end up competing. I think I'd like to at an amateur level, but have a long way to go in terms of losing weight (I'm fairly obese, with around 40-45% body fat) and in terms of training.
    I don't know if I have the discipline to train consistently enough either.
    I'm 35 right now, 36 in a few months... so time is growing shorter.
    Right now I'm focusing on Muay Thai and would probably start with competing in that. In a couple years I'll be looking to add BJJ in and may compete in that as well. And then of course there is MMA, which would be fun to learn & compete in once I have the Muay Thai & BJJ base...

    I run into a couple problems in my head:
    1. My age combined with current fitness level. If it takes, say, 2 years of hard work (which I'm not generally good at, so maybe more like 3-4 years) to get in physical shape to compete, that is when I'm 38-40. Just to start in on Muay Thai. I probably wouldn't get to MMA until after 45..
    2. I have issues with discipline. If I can't get myself to train consistently this is not going beyond the dreaming stage.
    3. My wife would flip out. She says she wouldn't be able to handle it. She already worries a lot just from me going to class and getting lightly scraped up/taking mild head hits (e.g., cover block a head kick while drilling at low to medium power). (While this wouldn't stop me from doing it, it is a negative consequence if she is highly upset by it.)

    I don't feel too old to compete right now, just in horrible physical condition for a fight (little conditioning, obese). I guess I'll have to see what happens in a couple years, but hopefully I'll at least get to amateur Muay Thai competition.

    May I ask what factors play into you feeling too old for competitive Kickboxing? For me most of my issues are mental, I think (lack of discipline in getting myself to train regularly enough, lack of discipline to eat well on a consistent basis instead of eating junk so I can actually lose weight, etc).
     
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  20. axelb

    axelb Master of Office Chair Fu

    @Morik

    It's certainly harder as you get older, but not impossible.

    Have a think about what you think is achievable, then write down a date, or month that you plan to get there.
    From that you can plot out per year/month/week over time how you plan to get to that point and stick to that plan. Many people I know are more likely to progress if they stick to a routine, and having that written down as a schedule can add weight to the routine.

    e.g. compete in 2 years: find a competition this year that you could attend, location, category, and write it down for 2 years from that point.
    Go there to spectate, it helps if your team had someone competing, so you'll get an idea of what it's like prepping.
    plan how you get to that point, and in your plan give reasonable allowances for expected time off from training (illness, holiday, recovery, extra work).

    It's definitely achievable.
     
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