Cambridge University Kickboxing Society made their presence felt last Saturday at the Cambridge Town vs Gown competition, marking a formidable presence in their first event of the year. The event was organised by CUKBS trainer Massimo Gaetani, through his own club Carisma Martial Arts and was attended by fighters from Carisma and Anglia Ruskin Kickboxing Club. CUKBS are no strangers to live event fights having taken on Oxford in annual Varsity matches and dominating last year’s University Championships in Kent. Soren Denim, the club’s coach, said “a lot of the fighters performing today are first-timers. Hopefully, this will provide them the experience needed for the forthcoming Varsity match”.

Among the estimated 200 spectators, in a small school hall, were Cambridge graduates and families of the competitors. Pembroke Science undergrad Heley Matthews, who had only recently boxed for her college, was scheduled for an exhibition match with Great Britain Taekwondo champion Jill Somerville. All thirty fighters were briefed together by Mr. Gaetani and the event’s official Pete Dunnet from CKA Martial Arts on the light-continuous format. “The match will be judged on technique and point-scoring”, explained Mr. Dunnet “but there will be a warning for excessive contact.”

First fight under way was between Helen Porte and her fellow Cambridge medicine undergrad Lucy Liu. Both fighters showed dynamic effort with an early tumble in the first round from Porte. Porte returned to her feet without hesitation to counter Liu’s onslaught.  Valid techniques were performed adequately by the two medic students. However, by the final round both fighters succumbed to exhaustion and only the crowd’s cheers made it possible for them to go on.

Next up was engineering student Amin Abolghasemi, from Kings, who faced a Carisma challenge from Nassir Salimi. Here first-timer Amin paced his fight with aggressive body kicks and precise strikes to Nassir’s head. But in the late half of the match, Amin was steadily overwhelmed by the more-experienced Nassir as Amin conceded the match.

Another Carisma challenge ended in a draw as Downing Undergrad Jenny Almeida faced German wunderkind Ronnit Wilmersdoerffer. Almeida balanced her fight with active footwork and fast high-kicks to her opponent’s head.

The fourth fight was of equal measures as Jeremy Leong, from Emanuel College, faced Anglia Ruskin’s business student Vassil Richter. Ruskin’s kickboxing club was newly formed two years ago and appeared a serious contender to the authority of CUKBS. However, Leong aggressively suppressed Richter throughout the match, countering Richter’s scoring kicks with powerful combinations bringing another draw for CUKBS.

There was a more substantial outcome as Downing’s triple first graduate Heidi Holmes took on Carisma’s Oxford graduate Harriet Teare. These balanced fighters made furious attempts for control of the ring. Despite Holmes’ applied offensive and supreme power, the English master lost to Teare’s decisive strikes and technical skill. This was an outcome that would prove to be a clear agitation for the strong Cambridge supporters among the audience that day. Clearly, Holmes set the high standard of the contest as Pembroke undergrad Heley Matthews kept up the pace against Cambridge post doctorate Jill Somerville. Matthews placed her opponent under pressure with her flexible reach and effective strikes. However, Somerville- a Great Britain Taekwondo champion- twice overpowered Matthews with outstanding hook kicks to the head. Yet, despite her impressive display, Somerville was no match for Matthews’ all-round agility who went on to win a spectacular contest.

Cambridge’s Franz Ronay against Anglia Ruskin’s Phil Richardson brought the event back to a conclusive show-down between established rivals. With CUKBS coach Soren Demin on ring-side, the engineering student from St. John’s played a tactical affair, pacing his opponent with combinations and powerful side-kicks. But in a decisive clash, Ruskin’s volley of punches constrained Ronay’s attempts to favour another Cambridge victory.

Chris Kelly, from Churchill, fought off another Carisma enticement, going against Neil Levesley. The heavy-weights slugged it out, going toe-to-toe in every step with devastating body kicks. However, Kelly was closely outpointed by Levesley’s counter-attacks, depriving Cambridge of another win.

Back in the dressing room, as the fighters were packing up their gear, Soren was cautiously reflective of the club’s outcome. On one hand, the club had earned a respective result with their dynamic arrival, facing off substantial rivals despite the majority of fighters being first-timers. On the other, however, there was still more work to be done. The club was optimistic, “All CUKBS fighters put in a hundred and ten percent today and I’m pleased with their effort”, said Soren, adding “We’ll be looking forward to this year’s University Championships and, after that, we’ll be prepared for next term’s Varsity.”

For Mr. Gaetani, the event was an outstanding success and an essential platform for CUKBS. His confidence in CUKBS has grown from watching them perform. “Even a friendly clash like this one brings you to the next level, fighting to win or be beaten and a lot of emotions kick in”, said Mr. Gaetani, “Some people can manage them well while for others, it is just overwhelming”. The dismantling of the ring on the school stage was symbolic to the end of the day’s events. It seemed to reflect the fighter’s tension ebbing away as they left more confident, more balanced and more determined to reclaim their authority in the forthcoming Varsity.