Martial Arts News Roundup: The Future of Taekwondo, Karate Combat Airs on ESPN and Cris Cyborg Receives Black Belt
Taekwondo is planning its comeback.
World Taekwondo President, Chungwon Choue, shared his optimism for the future of the sport post-Covid, especially in regards to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (rescheduled for 2021). Speaking at the first-ever virtual World Taekwondo General Assembly, he released the ‘Protocols for Safe Return to Competitions and Training’ which will be critical for the safe return of the sport. The measures will be enforced for both Taekwondo as well as Para Taekwondo, which have its debut at the Paralympic Games next year.
Karate Combat expands its audience
ESPN Desportes, the Spanish language brand under the cable sports channel, will air the second season of Karate Combat, in Spanish for the first time in the United States. The full-contact karate league has a multitude of fighters from Latin America. The season debuted on October 22nd with a clash of champions Deivis Ferreras vs Jesus Paucarcaja Lopez. The fights will take place in four virtual worlds created by the people behind Fortnite. Bouts will air weekly over the 12 week season.
Blackbelt time
Cris Cyborg, a legend in MMA and trailblazer for women in martial arts, has finally received her BJJ black belt, a few weeks after her first-ever submission win at Bellator 249. After 8 years as a brown belt, she received the honor under Rubens Cobrinha Charles, an IFBJJ Hall of Fame grappler and historical figure in the sport. For Cris, this signals the ‘beginning of a new journey’.
🔖 Book Corner
Model turned Muay Thai fighter, Mia Kang has released a memoir detailing her battle with her mental health, eating disorders, and self-love. ‘Knockout’ follows her martial arts journey as she redefines what it means to be ‘feminine’, and builds her self-worth in the process.
🌐 Trending News
A Krav maga student was forced to put his skills to practice when he confronted a gang of thieves in his home. David Pugh, who currently stars in ‘Married at First Sight’, went to inspect a loud noise in the middle of the night when he came face to face with 5 men wielding machetes and golf clubs who were attacking his 17-year-old son and their Rottweiler puppy. He singlehandedly fought them off but was left bloodied and bruised. The incident occurred in 2018 but the graphic images have been circulating due to the release of an episode of the reality tv show that sees Pugh give his new bride a survival kit as a wedding gift.
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This article was written by Alanna Sheridan
