Musashi's Breakdown at the K-1 Hong Kong GP

[Lonewolf]

OSU! I recently saw the video of the "K-1 Hong Kong GP" and was totally shocked and disappointed by K-1 fighter Musahi's behavior after knocking out his Korean opponent. Earlier, Musashi faced this same fighter who was repeatedly kicking him in the groin. I watched closely to see if it looked intentional or accidental. Musahi is a natural southpaw and was fighting with his right side front, which left him completely exposed there to his opponent's low kicks which usually find their target on a left side front fighter's left thigh. I think that was the main problem. Musashi has to learn to fight from both sides when it's necessary. However, I sympathize with Musashi getting repeatedly kick in the groin. But, first and foremost Musashi is a Budo Karate-ka(Seidokaikan style) and a kickboxer(sportsman) second. I think he forgot that in Hong Kong that night. His display after knocking out his opponent was terrible and unbefitting a Budoka. I lost alot of respect for him after witnessing this behavior, I'm sure his Shihan(Kakuda) at Seidokaikan was appalled by it all. More than that, Musashi is a Japanese Karate-Ka and he knows better than to behave like that. He should go back to the roots of Budo Karate, which is so much deeper and relevant than sports fighting(Kickboxing; K-1). He has probably fought so long now as a Kickboxer that he has forgotten his Karate spirit, manner, and etiquette. Very shameful on his part. This brings to mind something that happened a few years ago at the "K-1 Las Vegas GP", in which Kyokushin's Francisco Filio fought a full three round match with a fighter, clearly dominating the entire fight and even knocking his opponent down at the end of the last round. Everyone in attendance knew that Filio had won. And then came the official decision, the other fighter won an unanamious decision. Everyone booed and then cheered for Franciso Filio. It was clear that this decision was political. Several Gracies from Brazil(Filio's home country) were in the audience and they got extremely angry and agitated by the way Filio, their fellow country man, had been cheated. They were screaming at the officials and clearly showing their disfavor of everything. But, Francisco Filio, being the true Kyokushin Budo-Ka that he is, gave no negative reaction and accepted the way things were. He bowed to everyone and simply left the ring revealing no emotions. His attitude and behavior should be a lesson to all K-1 fighters, including Musashi. Did anyone else see the fight with Musashi and later his emotional breakdown after his opponent was unconscious on the ring mat? What are your thoughts concerning this? OSU!

[Kurisu]

I haven't seen the fight. Can you explain what Musashi did?

[smoothsake]

I saw the video... basically, Musashi was (how to I put it elegantly) "fired up" that he was able to KO his opponent after suffering two groin kicks that he taunted and yelled at his KOed opponent. The ref had to hold him back. I understand what Lonewolf is saying here, but Musashi suffered two very bad kicks (intentional or not) and that was pure emotion at play. It's not becoming of a budoka, yes, but I'm willing to ignore passing judgment because of the torment and pain he must have felt. After all, I read in the news that he suffered or is still suffering from internal testicular bleeding as a result of the GP. I hope we haven't seen the last of Musashi.

[Sonik]

Ouch!! That's gotta hurt!! But yeah he should've had another sort of behaviour.

[Lonewolf]

OSU! I agree that Musashi was extremely frustrated and angered by those repeated groin kicks, as any man would be, but his behavior was unbefitting a Budo Karate-Ka. Musashi was a representative of Seidokaikan and was fighting in a foreign country. He had a responsibility and an obligation to present himself in a dignified manner as a true Karate Man. A long time ago, when my old teacher, Shihan Kurosaki, was being sent to Holland by Sosai Oyama to represent Oyama's Karate and Dojo, Sosai said something very interesting to him at the Airport. He told Kurosaki, "No matter what happens, you make sure you behave like a true Japanese Karate Man, don't bring disgrace to me or the Sempai". Already the public has a low opinion of what martial arts are anyway. It's really bad when one of the top Karate fighters loses it like that. Musashi has also a responsibility to his younger Kohai, some of whom are aspiring to be future K-1 Fighters, to set a good, positive example. It's just a little disturbing to me to witness something like that, I come from a different time and era. To me, old fashioned values, good manners, and common courtesy are not outdated. They are as relevant now as they were 100 years ago. If you call yourself doing real Budo, you have to adhere to a higher standard than an average Sportsman. Something to think about. OSU!

[Dorsini]

It is true to act dignified, when you are in foreign territory. I would be mad for the repeated groin kicks, but I have to keep in mind that we are not animals. Martial arts is a science of fighting, that should not be abused by anyone. In my twenty years of training, if I ever displayed that type of behavior. My masters would not hesitate, to kick me out. We have rules to follow. Not the rules that our government sanctions, but the morals, ethics and values that we are raised upon as children. Starting out as a white belt in kyokushin, is like begininng of new life. We learn through our training, from what is right and wrong. Those principles are what every kyokushinkaikan karateka live by. That same principle, is stated in "The Book Of Five Ring", and the code of the bushido. Even Musashi Miyamoto, who not display that type of behavior himself, if he would still be alive.

[nzproud]

I have never seen Musashi losing his control like that before. I think his will to win the gp was huge then the groin kicks must have costed him a lot.. I think these frustrations came to his actions. I'm sure later he saw what he did and didn't like seeing himself doing that. This should be a lesson for most of us budo-ka, and keeping this in mind.

[Lonewolf]

OSU! You are right. Musashi is only human and we all make mistakes. However, he has to reaffirm his position and never let this type of thing happen again. I don't mean to be so hard on the guy, but we Budo-Ka are held to a higher standard than just regular sportsmen. I mean if one of the Dutch Kickboxers(Peter Aerts, Ernesto Hoost, Remy Bonyasky, etc.) did what Musashi did, I would not even be discussing it here. I don't expect any more from fighters like that, they are professional sportsmen. But, I hold Karate-Ka(who fight in K-1) to a much higher standard and responsibility, that's all. I hope Musashi is not permanently injured and wish him the best. OSU!

[nzproud]

I agree.. Those judging outcomes also have made him look bad in the past but i know of some people who have spent time with Musashi and I heard that he is a very good person.