10-01-2007

Recap on the K-1 Grand Final 2006
The first thing I would like to do is to wish each and everyone all the best for the new sport season. My season hasn't finished as I had planned. Since I started training with Ivan Hyppolite I feel that everything is going in the right direction: I am victorious in my matches and I feel that I am in top form, which of course for a professional athlete is very important. Winning the K-1 Grand Final would nevertheless be an enormous reward for all the hard work. But in order to become excellently fit, the necessary effort needed to be done; Sparring, specific strength trainings, and stamina trainings where a daily routine. Not to mention the mental aspect. The 25th I left to Japan, a week before the Grand Final, this to process the jet lag, and make the final preparation to become ultimately focused, and ready. Awaited by numerous of journalists, I landed safe on Narita Airport, Tokyo. I wasn't even of the plane before I received the first questions and the first fans where already waiting, in the lobby of the hotel. After handing out signatures and pictures I stayed in my room, where I could come to rest. Two days after my arrival in Japan Charly and Ivan came and my team was complete. The day after their arrival we had planned to start training, but unfortunately we had a delay, because I had a bit of a flu. After I took one and a half day rest we could start, with the final preparations. My feeling told me I was ready for the K-1 tournament. Besides the trainings the days also consisted of interviews and picture sessions. This always remains a fun occupation, especially because I know the people behind the camera and I can have fun conversations with them. What definitely caught my attention this year were the numbers of Dutch fans, which also traveled along. This was the last possibility to watch Ernesto Hoost, competing in a tournament. On the day of the match I felt deliciously. Indeed I had not slept well, for over two nights, yet in spite of this I was fit. The Lobby call for the red corner was set for 12 o' clock and the lobby call for the blue corner was at 12.10.

With the red team in the red bus and the blue team in the blue bus we headed to the well known Tokyo Dome. In the bus there is always a pleasant atmosphere, the fighters are a bit tense, but the team members ensure a good vibe. Laughs are spread randomly, and pictures as well as video recordings are made, for private use. The ride approximately lasts for a small hour, until from a distant you see that unique dome and your heart starts beating even more rapidly.

Again camera crews are waiting, to capture your every move, from different angles, because they don't want to miss a single thing. And then you're escorted to your room, by people from the K-1 and then the waiting begins, until you may..... I had the fifth tournament matchup, against nobody less than Stefan Leko. Stefan needs no introduction, he is a great fighter for over many years. My hands where taped, and after this I had a warming up session, with kicks and punches. During my warming up I felt every tension and pressure sinking away, it felt like the world was at my feet. I recognized this feeling from the finals in 2003, and 2004, which I won. Then comes the moment when you're called in: "Remy, you're next". The distance from the Hall to the ring is long, very long. At this time I felt more than superior, because this was the moment. I had trained very hard, and therefore I was very confident in myself. And then suddenly you're in the ring against Stefan Leko, who has trained at least as hard. Then the match began. The match had not yet started for a minute when a kick between my legs landed. I screamed from the top of my longs, because the kick had hit me well. It was as if they were ripped off. This is something what no man wants to endure, ever. Thinking about it now, it feels like I am experiencing the same pain. After numerous of discussions between my team and the Main referee Kakuda, the following rule was applied:

If one of the fighters would make an illegal action which results in an injury for the opponent in a way that the fighter is not capable to continue, the injured fighter gets 15 minutes of rest, after where he can return in the ring and continue the match from the point where the game was struck. In the dressing room I was treated by the doctor where it arose in a discussion between him, me and my team members, if it was a wise decision to continue. They left the decision to me, and I chose to return in the ring. After 15 minutes of rest still in pain at my lower belly and crotch, I returned in the ring, to compete, ones again. After the judge had yelled "fight" we continued. We barely made contact, until a backward kick which Stefan had successfully carried out for years again stroke me in my crotch. Full of disbelief I looked around, and again the enormous pain made me collapse. Of course I am aware such a thing can occur, I just hope Stefan did not do it on purpose. But After seeing the video images, I'm not certain any more.

Stefan is well known for this kick, and he has successfully executed this kick for many times, so I can't imagine that this particularly kick was made so low, the way he did. As everyone knows, we fighters use a mouthpiece, boxing gloves and a toque, for protection issues. But at more than 200 miles per hour even a seatbelt cant safe you.......

After Stefan received a yellow card, which of course did not soften the pain between my legs, the game continued. With each step I took I really had to bite my teeth, just to pull trough. Every time after I made a kick and my legs came together it was if my crotch was crushed again. Because of this I was not able to use my trademark, the flying knee. I was totally out of the game. All the Techniques which we had trained for, where now out of my reach. I could no longer move, I was barley throwing punches and finally I stood too much in a double cover. On that moment I fell back on that what I do best, kicking. Despite of this in the last minute of the third round a short right cross connected with the chin of Stefan, who received 8 counts. With this action I pulled the match in my favor, and at the end I could raise my hands in the air, as the winner of the match.

On the way to the dressing room it started, the adrenal sunk away and at that moment I realized in what pain I was. I was extremely nauseous, and I had the feeling I needed to vomit, and eventually I had to spit a lot. Again the doctor examined me, and almost immediately a K-1 spokesman entered the room, asking if I would continue, in the tournament. The pressure from the K-1 and the pain where too much, and I decided to withdraw, from the tournament. Directly after my decision I was transported to the hospital for further research. X-rays and echoes where made, and these showed everything was still at its place.

Looking back towards this day I have an extremely discomfort feeling. Stefan did however enter my room, to offer his apologies, if it had remained with this, I could have accepted it. But Stefan added another remark as well: "Remy I only touched u there because you are so tall" YES Stefan, Badr Hari is 5 feet


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