12/26 Smackgirl 30 sec groundwork rule abolished

[kakatootoshi]

On 12/3, the press conference of the Smackgirl event on 12/26 was held at the headquarters of Fuji TV.

At the press conference, it was declared that the "30 second groundwork rule" would be abolished. The aim in 2008 (of Smackgirl) is to be internationlised and also to raise the competiton level in Japan. To do this the rules must be adpated according to the international trend. Starting from the Smackgirl event on 12/26, in a ground situation a break will be given according to the referee's decsion. "Ground-and-pound is too dangerous in a women's tournament and is too violent", said the representative from Smackgirl. In the meantime, "pounding" will be allowed in special fights as an experiment before it is written into the official rules.

"There will be a world tournament to be held every four years. Today only the openweight category is available, but as there are many lightweight fighters, next year we will have both lightweight and openweight categories."

"Next year we have the olympics. There are sports like wrestling and judo where women are active. We want more active women in Smackgirl, and we want to bring more courage and spirit to women and to move them emotionally. Those female fighters who want to fight MMA please contact us."

Two of the fight cards include:
Okada Madoka (Angura/2007 Shinkyokushinkai All-Japan Middleweight Nirenpa)
vs
Shawn Tamaribuchi(US/Ladies of Pain)
(Okaka has already retired from Karate tournaments)

Ishioka Saori (Karatedo Zendokai/2007 Zendokai Real Fighting Karate Tournament 52kg Champion)
vs
Thricia Poovey(US/Deluca's Combat Academy)


OSU!

[vapor]

Congrats for them looking at the global circumstances and making adjustments to open doors for more international exposure and hopefully an international following!

vapor

[Kris]

Originally Posted by kakatootoshi

"Ground-and-pound is too dangerous in a women's tournament and is too violent",

WHAT? Ground and pound can be raw, sure, but what does this mean? That women are to fragile for ground punches? And what does "to violent" mean? Is it the female body or the "delicate" female mind that is not violent enough for fighting?

Or is this because they think that the female fighters are afraid to get a black eye or a broken lip so that they will not even do it?

What is next? "Touch my hair-do and I´ll kill you!"

I know a few female MMA fighters personally and them ladies aint afraid of no ground and pound.

What surprises me here in Japan is that the female MMA scene (to some extent) is about being cute (Japanese: KAWAII).

Ladies entering the ring and fighting dressed in pink skirts for example. It is also reflected in the music played. Last Cageforce all the male fights was preceded by tough hard rock or similar music. The ladies fights was introduced with more up beat, cheerful music.

I think that the female fights should be as serious sports events as the male fights, and not some "sexy-circus" thing. I mean, this is not Miss wet T-shirt or mud wrestling we are talking about. These women are serious hard training athletes.

[Aunty Ichigeki]

You may be right Kris but I confess I think Smackgirl adds some fun elements that make their shows unique & entertaining. *Generalisation coming* NZ girls are brought up staunch & take themselves a bit seriously so Smackgirl is an absolute contrast. They are outrageous & the concept is a bit of a shock to the system.

But when I saw Smackgirl I was impressed by the 'Smackgirls' for the balance they maintain between skill, femininity & fun... & there's no rule regarding dress. The non-Japanese girls I've seen enter the events haven't entered into the 'cute' thing at all but were still made very welcome... even the top Japanese girls don't really go there. The emphasis is def still on the fighting & the hour before the show the girls are drilling techniques not out the back looking in the mirror. They were a bit preppy & friendly & I think it's great they pull it off. They've attracted a following & earned respect for their abilities without acting like 'little men'.

[Kris]

Yes, I agree that it is also as important to make a good show for the audience. Full contact sports for spectators is our modern version of the roman gladiators (without death). The crowd, TV and sponsors is what puts money in it, and that is also to the benefit of the athletes and clubs (dojos).

I think you are right, it is only in Japan that cute and small women can do fights like this. Sweden (where I come from) is a lot like NZ I think, the girls doing fights are big and not cute. Other girls just do not do it. There is no room for it. In that sense I believe Japanese women have more room to "do their thing" than in our countries. This despite Japan in other areas (read: the workplace) is much more traditional then the west in gender issues.

I am not bashing the fighters and their act, I just think even girls in pink are able to handle ground punching.

Besides, not only female fighters have an "act". I saw several male fighters at the last event entering in elaborate costumes, jumping all over the place as they entered the ring.

[Aunty Ichigeki]

Yep it was a strange comment. I saw one fight with ground punching at the show I went to & it went okay. The little girl (in pink) getting smacked in the head squeeked like a cat with every punch but she didn't cry! I would certainly edit out the sound effects but other than that the fight was reasonable viewing. I'm more a BJJ fan than ground & pound so my vote would be for a good mix of rules on any card.

[kakatootoshi]

Shawn Tamaribuchi (left) (US/Ladies of Pain) and Lana Stefanac arrived in Japan on Christmas Eve.

Lana Stefanic (US/Ladies of Pain/2007 Abu Dhabi 67+ 2nd place) said she was happy to be in Japan and to finally meet in the ring Yabushita who left a good impression on her in US. And Shawn was also excited about her trip as she could return to the land of her ancestors (her father is Japanese).

OSU!

[kakatootoshi]

Some words from the opponent of Okada Madoka the press conference at Muse music academy in Tokyo on Christmas Day.

"I have studied 2 years of Krav Maga, 4 years of Muay Thai and 1 year of Jujutsu. I can do both striking and grappling but I want to fight with striking. My striking will not be inferior to Okada, who was the winner of Karate tournaments." Shawn was suggesting the match would be a war of striking.



OSU!

[kakatootoshi]

Ishioka Saori won her fight in the first round by Ippon (ude hishigi juji gatame).

Okada Madoka won by hantei 3-0 (Shawn was down once).

Yabushita Megumi lost by hantei 0-3.

OSU!

seventh anniversary tee

[kakatootoshi]

1R Okada delivered her well-versed ashi waza and punches from Ashihara Karate. At the same time her dominance on the ground was well praised by her cornermen and Tsuji Yuka from the same school. She pulled off Sakaku Jime and Ude Juji one after another.

2R Tamaribuchi did not exchange blows with Okada and grappled instead. She was on top and tried to win by ankle lock towards the end but this Okada successfully evaded. On the other hand Okada tried to use Ude Juji but also in vain. Okada won by hantei and this was her first win after converting to Angura (from Ashihara Karate).

Okada (formerly Ashihara) x Tamaribuchi




Ishioka (Zendokai) x Poovey



OSU!

[seienchin]

I quite like the idea, but I do struggle with the whole cutesy bit.

And, as I have advocated in general, with openweight especially, testing for anabolic steroids must be absolutely mandatory. I have seen some seriously "roided" up women in full-contact karate. Yuk!

[Kyokushin_Practioner]

isn't purple belt high ranked in some Martial Arts?

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by seienchin

I quite like the idea, but I do struggle with the whole cutesy bit.

And, as I have advocated in general, with openweight especially, testing for anabolic steroids must be absolutely mandatory. I have seen some seriously "roided" up women in full-contact karate. Yuk!

I've not seen that in Karate, but we were training in a room at the back of a gym for a while, and one day heard these fairly hardcore grunts and plates banging around.

After training we headed to the locker room, and saw the crew responsible for the noise. Some competitors for an upcoming bodybuilding show. All women, all very muscular, and each with a voice like gargling gravel. (I could add that they had stronger jaws than your average superhero, but that wouldn't cover it.)

There are some scary people out there, and Karateka aren't even near the top of the list.

Osu!

[Kris]

Originally Posted by Kyokushin_Practioner

isn't purple belt high ranked in some Martial Arts?

purple belt is for kids only in zendokai. (Ishioka is now a green belt, probably very soon brown.)

[intwominds]

Originally Posted by Dent

Osu!

There are some scary people out there, and Karateka aren't even near the top of the list.

Osu!

Speak for yourself!

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by intwominds

Speak for yourself!

I'm sorry, of course I can only speak for myself, and my own experiences. Maybe if you post a picture of yourself, I can review my concept of Karateka as being less than frightening?

Osu!

[vapor]

Originally Posted by Dent

Osu!



I'm sorry, of course I can only speak for myself, and my own experiences. Maybe if you post a picture of yourself, I can review my concept of Karateka as being less than frightening?

Osu!

Dent, be careful what you ask for...!

vapor

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by vapor

Dent, be careful what you ask for...!

vapor

I was going to ask one of the juniors to sacrifice themselves and view it first. Monty Pythonesque if it's done right.

Osu!