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[nzproud]

Hello all. This is a wicked interview with Jayson, the "Supercharge" that he kindly accepted. Osu!
Some of you may have known him as a kickboxer. He is now a core trainer in ichigeki. He trains Glaube,Teixeira, Pichukunov, Taisei Ko, Ray Sefo and the list continues.



NZP: Jayson please tell us a bit about your background. How you got into Martial Arts/ Kickboxing etc…

Jayson: I started Martial Arts studying Muay Thai in 1987 at Phillip Lam Lee Gar in Auckland, New Zealand.

My 1st kickboxing trainer’s were Lollo Heimuli, Tojo Dixon and Greg Nesbit from Lee Gar Balmoral. I learnt my boxing skills in the same stable from Peter Flynn (Ireland Boxing Golden Gloves) and Tom Fusitua (NZ Boxing Golden Gloves Champion).

1990 I started my fighting career and as I progressed I improved my fighting skills training alongside Thailand legends Fanta Attapong (Thailand) and Pathai Pornikomm (Thailand).

I gained several NZ national titles, traveled to Australia and gained several South Pacific titles. I continued fighting international opponents amassing Commonwealth, Intercontinental and World Titles earning the fight name Supercharge. My most memorable fights were my wins against Thailand World champions Nokweed Davy (Thailand) and Buly Kan Kup Kaah (Thailand). For more details; www.supercharge.co.nz

Sifu Phillip Lam exposed me to the international circuit throughout Asia, - China, Hong Kong and Macau where I first saw Dutch legends Enersto Hoost (Holland) at 86kg! Ivan Hippolyte (Holland) at 75kg and Andre Mannart (Holland) all of whom fought in the same fight circuit, before K-1 came into existence in 1993.

Over the years at certain times in my fight career I trained and traveled overseas with a group of guys made up from Sifu Phillip Lam representing New Zealand at International level. The team consisted of Ray Sefo, Rony Sefo, Shane Chapman, Jason Suttie, John Conway, Joe Conway, Clay Aiumatagi, Andrew Peck, Ivan Walker, Jojo Ancajas, Steve Misich, Nick Misich, Roger Earp, Mike Angove, Eddy Tongalahi and Jacob Farani where together we amassed many international and world titles.

In the years that followed the same group of individuals have made their own major impact for New Zealand in both the national and international fight scenes.

NZP: When you were fighting as a Kickboxer did you fight any Kyokushin fighters in Kickboxing rules? Did you have desire to train with Kyokushin practitioners?

Jayson: I fought mainly Muay Thai at national and international level, I cannot remember fighting any Kyokushin fighters in kickboxing during that time. I did not learn about Kyokushin until I came here to Japan for K-1 in 2002. When I was training Ray Sefo for K-1 in Japan I met Kyokushin fighters Filho Francisco and Glaube Feitosa.

NZP: We know that you are close friends with Ray Sefo. When did you meet him and start training with him?

Jayson: Ray and his younger brother Rony, we all started training together in 1988. They were training in NZ with Kiosot (Thailand) and I was at Sifu Phillip Lam training with Fanta Attapong (Thailand). We started training together with Lollo Heimuli another student from Sifu Phillip Lam and then carried on to where we are today.



I have been with Ray for over 20 years in martial arts he has been like a big brother to me. Whenever he fights K-1 he always collects all the brothers, Team Sefo around him for preparation. Any top fighter today knows they need a good team behind them at top-level competition. I believe this is one of the reasons why Ray has survived in K-1 for such a long period.

The memory in K-1 that stands out for me (even though Ray lost) was in 2007 when Ray Sefo fought Semmy Schilt (Holland) for the 1st ever K-1 Super Heavyweight World Title. Standing next to my brothers Ray and Rony in the ring before the fight when they played the NZ national anthem and the proud moment of representing your country at the highest level of kickboxing K-1 competition.

NZP: How did you become a Kickboxing trainer for Kyokushin fighters? Who approached you first? Were there other candidates?

Jayson: This was how I became a Kickboxing trainer for Kyokushin fighters. I first retired from professional competition in 1998 and I started my professional coaching career in 2002 when Ray Sefo appointed me as the Head Kickboxing Instructor at the newly opened Ray Sefo Fight Academy in NZ. I started taking general public kickboxing classes and training pro fighters.

Throughout my time there I achieved some personal goals in coaching.

- Rony Sefo – K-1 NZ Champion 2003 (defeated Jason Suttie)

- Jordan Tai, K-1 Max WGP Oceania 2003 (defeated Shane Chapman).

- Jordan Tai, K-1 Max WGP Final 16 in 2004 (lost to Buakaw Por Pramuk)

- Paula Matele - helping him start his K-1 career in 2003 with a 4 – 0 unbeaten record

- Ray Sefo - helping and training him to reach K-1 WGP Final 8 in 2002 and 2003

I was lured out of pro fighting retirement to fight at the K-1 WGP Quarter Finals in Melbourne as a super fight match against Gurkan Ozkan (AUS) in 2002 for the ISKA World Title in Melbourne AUS and lost.


Next I was then contracted to fight in Japan against All Japan Kickboxing Champion Matsumoto in Ichigeki Japan II and III in 2003 resulting in 1 Draw and 1 Loss against him.

I was then asked to help train some of the Kyokushin Ichigeki fighters for professional kickboxing competition.

At that time another Kiwi, Fail Falamoe (NZ) was teaching boxing skills to Filho Francisco (Brazil), Glaube Feitosa (Brazil), Nicholas Pettas (Denmark) in Japan from 2000 as well as Ray Sefo.

I got onboard as a coach traveling back and forth between NZ to Japan to help and these were the results:

Igor Peplov – All Japan Kickboxing Champion 2004

Akaishi Makoto – Ichigeki Japan Champion 2004 (defeated Maverick)

Artur Hovannisian – Ichigeki Japan Champion 2004 (defeated Fujita)

Filho Francisco – Ichigeki vs K-1 2004 (defeated Remy Bonjaskey)

Alex Pichkunov – Ichigeki Japan Champion 2004 (defeated Seth Petruzelli)

Glaube Feitosa – Ichigeki Japan Champion 2004 (defeated Alistair Overeem)

Alex Pichkunov – Ichigeki France Champion 2005 (defeated Cyrille Diabate)

Glaube Feitosa – Ichigeki France Champion 2005 (defeated Chiek Kongo)

Alex Pichkunov – Ichigeki Japan Champion 2005 (defeated Hiriwa Terangi)

Glaube Feitosa – K-1 WGP USA Champion 2005 (Las Vegas)

I was then offered a full time position at the newly built IKO World Headquarters, Ichigeki Academy in Ebisu Tokyo, Japan to train Kyokushin Champions for K-1 competition as well as kickboxing classes for the general public. I resigned from the Ray Sefo Fight Academy in NZ (which closed down soon after) and officially took up my new position here in Japan.

Mauricio Da Silva - ‘Baboo’ (Brazil) the former trainer to Filho Francisco joined the team here at Ichigeki and we ended the year 2005 in Tokyo Dome with Glaube Feitosa placing 2nd in the K-1 WGP Final 8 losing to Semmy Schilt (Holland) in the final.

[nzproud]

NZP: Was there a long period of consideration before you take up the offer and how did you see this job at the beginning?

Jayson: Yes there was a descent amount of consideration before moving from my home in NZ to a completely different country, different food, different people, change of culture and a different language.

The turning point helping me on my decision to move to Japan was during the time I was involved in the TVNZ documentary filming of Rugby All Black Legend Jonah Lomu in 2004. I was assisting Jonah with extensive exercises using Kickboxing as cross training, before and after his kidney operation whilst I was in NZ. Spending time with this incredible athlete we became good friends. Jonah played a large influence for me in eventually settling in Japan, he has been an inspiration and we catch up whenever we are in the same country. My job now apart from kickboxing classes to general public and training Kyokushin Champions for K-1 competition is the occasional personal training of other top athletes from different sporting disciplines for cross training in kickboxing, like Hidetoshi Nakata (former Italian football superstar) and other Japan celebrities.

NZP: Under your coaching what were the most memorable (good or bad) wins and losses for Kyokushin fighters in K-1?

Jayson: Here are the K-1 memories for Kyokushin that stand out for me.

- Filho Francisco (Brazil) defeating Remy Bonjaskey in K-1 vs Kyokushin at Ichigeki 2004

- Glaube Feitosa (Brazil) winning K-1 WGP USA 2005 (Las Vegas) and then placing 2nd in K-1 WGP Final 8 (Tokyo Dome) the same year.

- IKO1 Kyokushin World Champions 2005 - Luchian Gogonel (France), Mikhail Kosrov (Russia) and Maxim Dedik (Ukraine) taking them for a 3 month specialized training for K-1 competition at the Ichigeki Academy in 2006.

- Alex Pichkunov (Russia) placing 2nd in K-1 WGP USA 2007 and 2nd in K-1 WGP Asia 2008

- Ewerton Teixeira (Brazil) training the 9th World Kyokushin Champion for K-1 from the beginning of his kickboxing career and preparing him to become a top 8 K-1 Grand Prix fighter then watch him hold his own against the best in K-1.



NZP: What do you like/dislike about fighters from kyokushin & offshoots fighting in Kickboxing/ K-1?

Jayson: What I like about the Kyokushin fighters that I have trained is the polite, calm and serene nature they have outside the ring and then the Budo spirit each of them exhibits inside the ring.

NZP: What would you like to see incorporated into Kyokushin training to perhaps make the Kickboxing transition easier? Or is it fine the way it is?

Jayson: Even with our successful results in training the top Kyokushin fighters for elite K-1 competition, the transition to K-1 is very complicated.

Kyokushin is a Martial Art that teaches important values.

I believe if it is not broken, don’t fix it.

To become more efficient in my training methods and make this transition much easier, I started training Kyokushin Karate myself. I study primarily from Sensei Ryo Narushima (Japan) here at the Ichigeki Academy and other top Kyokushin that visit Japan. I am always open to learning, I think it helps me to develop as a better trainer for Kyokushinkaikan to operate at this elite level of K-1 competition.

Interestingly I discovered the transition from Kyokushin to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) much easier. The proven result is Kyokushin Ichigeki fighter Andrews Nakahara (Brazil). His ability to train and fight at top level K-1 DREAMS (MMA competition) with successful results while still maintaining high intensity training in Kyokushin Karate. From my own observations Kyokushin in Brazil is becoming more developed with Shihan Filho Francisco first pioneering Kyokushin into the K-1 himself and now helping pioneer Kyokushin with his students into the MMA. These are exciting times to be a part of this, helping Shihan Filho.

NZP: How difficult has it been for our Kyokushin superstars to incorporate the face punch?

Jayson: Long hours of sacrifice, pain, blood, sweat and tears, the normal stuff. Kyokushin is to endure and persevere. These Kyokushin champions use this discipline as part of their training to adapt in all elements of their fight game. A fight is a fight, whatever the rules. As a fighter, to become champion in that chosen field you must adapt to the rules of engagement or become extinct.

NZP: Who do you think is next to be K-1 GP/ Max Champ?

Jayson: My ideal scenario is Ewerton Teixeira vs Glaube Feitosa in the Final for K-1 World Grand Prix Crown 2009.

From when we started the new Ichigeki Academy in 2005, Kyokushin has been represented consistently every year in the K-1 Word GP Final top 8.

2005 Glaube Feitosa – 2nd

2006 Glaube Feitosa – 3rd

2007 Glaube Feitosa – 4th

2008 Ewerton Teixeira – 4th

Producing other K-1 fighters like Alex Pichkunov (Russia), Takumi Sato (Japan), Fabiano Da Silva (Brazil), Andrews Nakahara (Brazil), Kou Tasei (Japan) and now preparing Jan Soukup (Czech).

Helping out other K-1 fighters like Ray and Rony Sefo (NZ), Doug Viney (NZ), Jordan Tai (NZ), Virgil Kalakoda (South Africa) and Jan Nortje (South Africa).

It would be another great challenge to build up Kyokushin fighters for the K-1 Max (70kg) WGP competition and take this crown as well.

NZP: Is the training you do at Ichigeki traditional MT/ Kickboxing, or is it fusion with Kyokushin? Can you share with us some drills you use?

Jayson: Team Ichigeki is made up of 3 trainers. Faii Falamoe (NZ - Boxing), Mauricio Da Silva (Brazil - Kyokushin) and myself Jayson Vemoa (NZ - Muay Thai)

These 3 individuals have produced a winning combination, which has helped Kyokushin fighters compete successfully in the K-1.

In the past by special permission I have been able to share training techniques, methods and experiences with Kyokushin brothers and sisters around the world through Ichigeki Kickboxing Seminars, which first started in New Zealand, 2007. Time permitting and permission from Kancho Matsui, I am scheduled for more.

NZP: We know that you recently participated in Artur's 100 men kumite. What did you think of it?

Jayson: However I look at it, fighting 100 men in one day is an amazing feat of determination, courage and spirit. I am fortunate to have been a part of this Kyokushin experience. The atmosphere in the dojo gave me the chills when I walked inside with the other 100 Kyokushinkaikan like Shihan Filho Francisco (Brazil), Glaube Feitosa (Brazil), Jan Soukup (Czech), Emil Kostov (Bulgaria) and Kentaro Tanaka (Japan) just to name a few, all waiting to fight Artur. I said a silent prayer for him. One word that sums it all up, OSU!

NZP: If you had a chance will you ever compete in kyokushin tournaments?

Jayson: I remember Kancho Matsui mentioned in Kyokushin, Kihon is like the words, Kata is like the sentences and Kumite is the conversation.

So the answer is yes, I would love to hold a conversation with all Kyokushin and share the experience. Afterwards I would like to show them brotherhood with food, drink and laughter, OSU!


NZP: We haven't seen “Alexander Pichkunov” for a while. Is he coming back to K-1?

Jayson: Training Pichkunov, he has produced a promising K-1 career for himself; gaining an unbeaten K-1 record from 2005 to 2006 then 2nd place in K-1 WGP USA (Hawaii) 2007 and 2nd place in K-1 WGP Asia (China) 2008.

I think it only appropriate that Alex would be the best person to answer this question.

NZP: We are looking forward to seeing Ewerton Teixeira's future in K-1. Glaube Feitosa looked great in his last fight, I can't wait to see him in this year's GP. Please send a big Osu to them and we wish them all the best from their supporters here at Kyokushin4life.com, thank you so much again for taking time for this interview.

Osu!

Daisuke

Jayson: Thank you to all the supporters from Kyokushin4life.com.

I have had many great experiences in Kyokushin and met so many good people. Hopefully my travels will bring me into more contact with others in the Kyokushin family.

Osu!

Jayson

[Dent]

Osu!

Excellent interview, and thanks to you both, NZProud! (Repped!)

Any place we can see that seminar schedule?

Osu!

[sandman]

Big Osu! Thanks NZProud -that was great!

[smoothsake]

Osu! Thanks NZ and Supercharge for taking the time to do this. Very interesting read (and excellent use of photos/formatting)!!

[kakatootoshi]

Thank you nzproud (repped).

[KvW]

Great interview. Thanks NZProud.

Osu!

[kanku]

Fantastic nzproud repped from me, thanks!!!!!!!!!

[jcc]

Osu! nzp,

Great interview, thanks. Especially interesting to hear from someone 'behind the scenes' like that. And this comment: "What I like about the Kyokushin fighters that I have trained is the polite, calm and serene nature they have outside the ring and then the Budo spirit each of them exhibits inside the ring." Nice

Osu!

[pouria]

Wow! Great interview my brother

Osu! (Pouria uchi deshi)

[Dent]

Osu!

Pouria, please stop by the Introductions section and tell us a bit about yourself and your training, so we can better welcome you.

Osu!

Fantastic... awesome...

__________________

[Okamido]

Thank you for sharing that.

A very interesting and enjoyable read.

Osu!

[Supercharge]

http://superkarate.ru/inter/3933-jayson-vemoa.html

[Shokei Marcsui]

Thank you for posting the interview. Lots of interesting information regarding Kyokushin and the interactions within MMA.

Any possibility of seeing the ichigeki fighters competing in the MMA octagon in the near future?

[whatever123]

Is there an English version of the article?

[Shokei Marcsui]

I use translate.google.com for any foreign language websites.

[babyface]

Great read love kyokushin and k-1!