Martial Arts Confrontation I Awaiting the opening bell
Date, place: 2004-02-27, Restauracja Champions, Warszawa back
Martial Arts Confrontation tournament took place in Champions restaurant on February 27th 2004. It was the first such show in Poland. ? The first show was relatively modest. We funded it with our own money without any media support. We looked for fighters in a few different ways. We visited local gyms and watched possible participants as they trained or we enquired our friends about candidates ? confess KSW founding fathers Maciej Kawulski and Martin Lewandowski. The awaiting for the opening bell was enormous. Narrow group of people who got the tickets were excited for the fights. Eight phenomenal warriors, representing various martial arts, showcased their skills in front of the public that night: Lukasz Jurkowski (tae kwon-do ITF), Rafal Tomasiuk (kickboxing), Jacek Stępień (judo), Remihiusz Regiel (shootboxing), Pawel Trzesniewski (karate), Roman Szaszkow (sambo), Norbert Swierblewski (wrestling) and Marek Piechotka (kung fu), the latter one bowed out of his fight because of an injury. The event also a had star-studded officiating. The fights were judged by Robert Lysiak (3rd Dan in karate) and Przemyslaw Saleta and the ring was ruled by the former Olympian in wrestling, referee Robert Kostecki. Plenty of competitive bouts, excellent grappling techniques and superb striking exchanges selected the first KSW champion. Young and ambitious fighter from Legionowo Lukasz Jurkowski emerged as the tournament victor. Later the popular Juras became the first KSW Team member and signed the professional contract for multiple fights in Poland and abroad.
