Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, July 3: In what would be the first of its kind, the Utkal Karate School will host the ‘Yodha Fighting Championships’ in organisation with Association of Combat Sports, India starting here Saturday. This is the first time that an event based on the lines of UFC is being hosted by the state.
Seventy five participants will be taking part in the two-day meet, including two from Orissa. They are Biswadeb Patnaik and Sachin Mohanty. The winner from each category will be eligible to participate in the National Championships at Mumbai in September. Most of the participants have arrived and some took part in a promotional face-off event Friday evening at the school premises.
“I took part as a professional fighter in the Super Fighting League at Mumbai in 2012. I got three chances. However, I did not have much experience then and could not do much,” said Biswadeb, a product of Utkal Karate School.
“But I have left that experience behind. I have developed my skills training in Bangalore. So this is the time to showcase my skills against the top fighters of the country,” the fighter added.
Sachin, who hails from Pankaj Fighting Academy in Cuttack, sounded equally optimistic. “I have also participated in Super Fighting League at Mumbai. I am happy that my own state is organising such an event. I am hopeful of doing well in the tournament,” stated Sachin.
The enter competition will be played in a roof-open iron-cage of 16 square feet. There will be two categories – professional and amateur and each bout will consist of three rounds. Three judges will be judging each match.
“Orissa have enormous talent in this kind of sport. So we want promote local talents through this competition. We will definitely conduct many tournaments of this type in future,” said Hari Patnaik, founder of Utkal Karate School, Friday.
