THOUSANDS OF KICKS FOR THOUSANDS OF EURO.
The M.A.I. BIG Event Report
The first ever Martial Arts Incorporated BIG Event took place on Sunday 9th December. Last year M.A.I. held a charity event for Barnardos and this year the event was in aid of their own club. New equipment is always badly needed, especially when an expensive move to a brand new studio in 2008 is on their cards.
The BIG Event consisted of many different events and the first one to start the day was the kids kickathon. The kids, ranging in ages from 5 to 15 had to perform 1000 kicks within 1 hour. They made it look very easy and the energy in the studio was contagious.
Next up were the adults who had to perform 2000 kicks. The adults really got stuck in and there was quite a variety of double kicks, spinning kicks and jumping kicks displayed.
After the highly energetic kickathon, the demonstrations took place. 11 Black Belts and their students took centre stage and performed various amazing displays. On show were displays of self-defence, kickboxing, comedy martial arts, aerial kicking, grappling, mixed martial arts, weapons and board breaking. All performers were excellent and the crowd really showed their appreciation.
Next the club competition took place. Martial Arts Incorporated run 2 clubs, one in Dublin 7 and one in Dublin 15. Both clubs were well represented and the competitors fiercely battled it out. Every fight was a hard one. Very well done to all competitors and congratulations to the following winners:
Kids Points:
1st: Richard Bennett 2nd: Glenn Lawlor 3rd: Jamie-Leigh Dunne
Teens Points:
1st: Leanne Lawlor 2nd: Stuart Kirwan 3rd: Viktor Peretz
Mens Points:
1st: James Cramer 2nd: Paul Kosmala 3rd: Ciaran Skerry
Ladies Points:
1st: Claire Hanley 2nd: Tanya Appleby 3rd: Louise O’Donnell
Mens Continuous:
1st: Alan Donnelly 2nd: James Cramer Joint 3rd: Paul Kosmala
Joint 3rd: Steven Large
Womens Continuous:
1st: Claire Hanley 2nd: Tanya Appleby 3rd: Louise O’ Donnell
The Super Fights followed straight after the club competition and a lot of spectators arrived to show their support for the fighters. There were 2 separate fights using full-contact amateur MMA rules. First up was ‘Mad’ Mike Moloney versus Robert ‘The Croatian Sensation’ Mikulic. This was a very hard and close fight. Both fighters were very evenly matched as both fighters are very strong. Mike wanted to take the fight to the ground and Robert didn’t want to let him. It went the distance and Moloney won by decision.
Next up was the bout between Declan ‘The Technician’ Browne and ‘Concrete’ Colm O’ Griobhtha. Another very evenly matched fight. Neither fighter wanted to go to the ground and they both punished each other with vicious leg kicks, body punches and knees. This fight went the distance also and ‘Concrete’ Colm was awarded the victory.
All fighters were exhausted but all showed class and excellent sportsmanship to their opponents.
The long day was then concluded with presentations to key students and members of Martial Arts Incorporated. Congratulations to:
Student of the year Dublin 15 - 2007 - James Merrigan
Student of the year Dublin 7 - 2007 - Steven Large
Junior Student of the year - 2007 - Eddie Lawlor
Instructor of the year - 2007 - Jamie Lawlor
Most improved student - 2007 - Tanya Appleby
Male Fighter of the year Dublin 15 - 2007 - Paul Kosmala
Male Fighter of the year Dublin 7 - 2007 - Robert Mikulic
Female Fighter of the year - 2007 - Claire Hanley
Most improved Fighter of the year - 2007 - Viorica Matos
Personality of the year - 2007 - Ger O' Toole
Martial Arts Incorporated would like to thank all members and their friends and family. They managed to raise over €7000. All of this will be used to purchase much needed equipment to help improve their facilities as well as members abilities.
M.A.I. would also like to thank everyone for their fantastic support throughout 2007.
Check out the Photos page for all the BIG Event pictures!
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