Interview with Géraud Genty

«How did you get into K-1? »

«I started with jiu-jitsu in Dunkirk when I was twelve. However as I grew up I began to wonder how effective this would be if I came up against a boxer or a judoka in the street. That’s why I turned to a tougher discipline, much nearer to a one-to-one fist fight, where strength, speed, technique and stratagem are essential. I wanted to learn how to take punches whilst seeking the most effective blow to give depending on the strengths and weaknesses of my opponent.

«Have you ever had to fight in the street? ».

«Very rarely ! It happened to me once as I was leaving the cinema. Two well placed kicks to the legs stopped my adversary in his tracks (with no injuries to avoid legal problems). This little demonstration had the desired effect. Fighting on the streets and in the ring are completely different : on the street you have to be fast and explosive, in the ring you’re against a trained fighter so you also need to have a strategy».

«So what is your sport? »

«Put simply I’d say that I’m a kick boxer. In fact I have the mentality of a karatéka and I use kick boxing techniques. Picking and choosing from different fighting disciplines allows me to evolve. I train alone 3 hours a day mainly in Dunkirk but also in Holland».

«So why organise a K-1 tournament in Dunkirk ? »

«Dunkirk is reputed to be the town in France with the highest sporting environment and this sport will bring it something new. It will also be an opportinity to introduce the people of Dunkirk to K-1 and get rid of a few pre-conceived ideas. A tournament which will bring new life to local clubs and propose a show featuring world class fighters. A real show profits from which will also finance the purchase of games and toys for children in hospital».

Claire Ditte