|
Page 7 of 8 Black Belts Men
The size and standard of the black belt divisions continue to climb, a good example would be that the -63kg started at 11.30am followed by the -69kg division on one area. This area finished at 7pm without a single break.
The second largest division at the Irish open this year was the men’s -63kg division with 72 fighters for sixteen countries entered. The standard was absolutely inspiring. This is what Semi Contact is all about, the very best fighters in the world coming together under one roof and seeing just who is the best of the best. The final between
Andrea Lucchesse, Italy and Robbie Lavoy, USA which was last years winner, was a spectacle to behold. Lucchesse was absolutely on fire this day, clearly forging ahead of his USA opponent and taking a very deserved for the first time may I add Irish Open first.
What a division. 92 fighters fought in the -69kg Black belt fighters, you heard it right 92 world class athletes in one category and what a category. The four semi finalists, Jack Felton, USA, Danny Ellis, England, Domenic Spechio, England and Kostas Tabolreas, Greece are all world class athletes who fought valiantly over four hours to get to the last four. The two finalists where Jack Felton, USA and Danny Ellis, England. Both where bruised and battered going in to the final and both gave great account of themselves, but once again Felton from the USA emerged victorious, taking the -69 title for the third year in a row.
The -74kg Final was between, Morten Spiss from Norway and and Mimo De Marco was something to be watched, in the first round both fighters absolutely gave it their all, neter gaining a significant advantage, in the second round it weas close up to the last 20 seconds where the on form spiss edged ahead taking his first irish Open Gold after eight years of trying, this can be added to his recent win at the WAKO Europen championships. Credible joint thirds where Giorgio Dalsasso, Italy and Vincenzo Laurora, Italy.
-79kg a very competitive division saw Germanys Harald Schmidtz take gold against Vincenzo Laurora, Italy, who also achieved bronze in the -74kg division. Third place went to David Firth, Scotland and Jason Bournley Tankson USA.
+ 84kg Saw the very talented but unknown on the European Circuit Michael Page, England beat Roberto Monturo, Italy in a very entertaining final. With Dave Heffernan, Irelandand Luigi Petito, Italy taking third.
|
