What is K-1 ?

An ultra violent sport to outsiders, but a quest for truth for the fighters; K-1 leaves no-one indifferent. Despite appearances this tournament, which brings together multiple fighting disciplines, is a subtle mixture of technique, strategy and (last but not least !!) respect.

« K-1 often appears to be a violent sport for brutes craving for a fight and can’t seem to shake off this stubborn misconception. Few people truly know and understand this discipline governed by a martial spirit and respect (notions which predominate inside the ring). K-1 is a brutal sport but not a sport for brutes even though some fighters choose to cultivate a bad-boy image. Ethics are very important. Above all else the fighters are searching for truth and authenticity » underlines Géraud Genty, who being a fighter himself, knows exactly what he’s talking about.

The K-1 Grand Prix isn’t so much a sport as a series of qualifying tournaments the climax of which is the Grand Final. K-1 was created in 1992 by Kazuyoshi Ishii a Japanese Seido Kaikan karate master. K-1 is a tournament which brings together fighting sports and martial arts. They have in common the use of hands and feet and the letter K which begins the name of the majority of the disciplines involved: karate, kick boxing, kung-fu, kenpokan, kakutogi, kyo ku shin kai (that is to say, «The Path to Ultimate Truth»).

« Some disciplines such as kick boxing and kyo ku shin kai, have shown themselves to be particularely effective in K-1. A knock-out is the objective of the fight; K-1 is like the F1 of fighting sports » continues Géraud Genty. Force and speed are increased tenfold. The matches are spectacular. The Grand Final is held each year in Tokyo on the 1st Sunday in December and draws an impressive crowd: up to 120 000 pairs of eyes glued to the ring and as many voices ready to support the K-1 fighters who are true stars in Japan.

Dutch fighters predominate: they have won eleven of the fourteen finals held so far. «It helps to be tall. The minimum height is generally 6 feet 4 inches but some fighters measure 7 feet 2 inches and weigh-in at up to 440lbs » explains Géraud Genty. Food for thought for those considering taking up the discipline which is mainly aimed at the heavyweight male. The marriage between strength and the mind is essential to master the technique whilst plotting a strategy to destabilize a hefty opponent.