Photo By Sgt. John Ortiz | Sgt. Alisha Duncan, sits in the mount position trying to get a better hold of Capt....... read more read more
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait — From 148 came 24, 24 fighters with only one agenda; to be crowned champion. Rank did not matter nor did job specialty. What did matter were a fighter's technique, skill, and determination to push through the pain of two 3-minute rounds.
Some competitors came to test their skills against others during the three-day tournament. Others came to experience their first competition, and a select few were looking to stand in the fighter's ring and win it all.
From the opening minute of the tournament, fighters warmed up with each other, often times trading moves like trading cards, telling every detail of their previous fight. Yet there was one thing for certain, one good fight did not equal a great tournament.
Standing in the way of an appearance in the title match were competitors with different skills from different locations giving it their all hoping to advance in 12 separate weight classes for males and females.
"There were a lot of different styles represented," said Capt. Luke Lisell, a competitor with the 4th Sustainment Brigade, and winner of the middleweight category. "Every fight was different, especially depending on whom you fought. The Hawaiians brought a strong ju-jitsu background, while the competitors from Iowa brought a strong wrestling background."
From 148 came 24. 24 who won fight after fight during the two-day period to compete for the crown in the eight male and four female bouts in the first combatives tournament in Kuwait.
For the 4th Sustainment Brigade which hosted the event, it was a chance to showcase the level-one and level-two combatives programs implemented to increase the warrior ethos throughout the 3600-strong unit.
"We have been conducting Modern Army Combatives training and have been getting a lot of interest out of Soldiers within the brigade in a tournament said Command Sgt. Major Erik R.R. Frey, the senior enlisted member for the 4th Sustainment Brigade. "We formed a committee, and what happened next was a total success."
A success with more than 1500 spectators over the three-day period watching 148 service members compete against each other in one of the oldest forms of sport, a fight.
"I wanted the 4th Sustainment Brigade to take the lead and sponsor the event and in doing so, opened up the competition to include all military service members in Kuwait," said Frey. "We were pleasantly surprised how many takers we received to include out sister brigade, the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Throughout the championship bouts, there were shrills of excitement, gasps of disbelief, and screaming for one's fellow Soldier representing their unit. The Wrangler Combatives Tournament was a unique event where the electricity of the event flowed through each person in attendance to out cheer the person next to them.
"The crowd was really into the tournament," said Lisell. "From the music of each fighter to a good move on the mat, the crowd moved and flowed with each fight," said Lisell.
It was a tournament where fighters were introduced by their fight song, and more often than not, paraded by fellow Soldiers into the ring.
It was a festive environment where songs introducing the competitors rang from their personal background; smoothing songs for Hawaii, rock songs for Iowa, and a mix of songs for the Wrangler of the 4th Sustainment Brigade.
It was after the start of the fight which saw the dramatic technique showcased to all those in attendance; the ability to quickly react and maneuver into a different position when it was almost certain the only outcome was a tap-out. It was these fights which had the crowd anxiously at their feet following every grip, collar choke, and every dominant position.
"It was very intense out there," said Sgt. Alisha Duncan, a competitor with the 4th Sustainment Brigade. "You just have to stay focused, keep your game plan in your head, and go into the bout with a thrive to win with no intimidation."
For Duncan, the Lightweight Champion of Kuwait, going into her championship match was all about points.
"I went in with the game plan to rack up points, but my opponent gave me her back and I went for the choke," said Duncan. "I didn't think the fight would end that fast, because I was constantly thinking about the next move I would make."
From 24 fighters came 12. 12 service members who were crowned champions in the first Kuwait-wide combatives tournament.
"In all the competitors I saw the true heart of the warrior," said Frey. "I saw Soldiers who had the warrior spirit want to get in there and practice what the Army teaches; hand-to-hand combat. I was extremely proud to be associated with all the competitors."
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 05.05.2009 08:21 |
| Story ID: | 33215 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 664 |
| Downloads: | 587 |
This work, Wranglers Crown Kuwait Champions, by SGT John Ortiz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
