kick-boxing
May I Introduce To You One Of The Greatest Kickboxers Ever: Peter “Sugarfoot” Cunningham
Like I said in my last post, I would be writing about a couple of martial arts greats these days.
May I introduce today the first one of a group of four outstanding martial arts practitioners and instructors who will be teaching at an upcoming seminar near L.A. this month.
What I just picked up was that he even played the role of Mike ‘Machine Gun’ Mungin in “The Fighter”, starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams and Melissa Leo.
So, who is Peter Cunningham and what’s with the nickname “Sugarfoot”?
Let’s start with the nickname.
Sensei Pete has been nicknamed “Sugarfoot” due to his sweet kicking techniques. If you have ever watched him kick, you will agree that his kicks are sweet…. if you’re not on the receiving end. In that case, you would be dealing more with some sort of sour after-taste.
Like many of us reading this post, as a youngster, Sensei Pete got hooked on martial arts watching Bruce Lee films. Why am I not surprised?!
Originally from Canada, legendary Peter “Sugarfoot” Cunningham is still considered by many one of the greatest full contact fighters of all time and by some even the greatest technician in kickboxing history. He was an seven-time undefeated, undisputed World Champion Kickboxer.
Already back in 1998, in San Jose, California, “Sugarfoot” was inducted as the very first martial artist into the I.S.K.A. Hall of Fame. We have to know that the I.S.K.A. is the most prestigious sanctioning body in the world.
During his active fighting caeer, Sensei Pete traveled to numerous countries such as England, France, Mexico, and Australia to defend his world titles against the Japanese, Thai, English, French, Mexican, and other North American champions.
Sensei Pete had an amazing record of fifty victories, twenty one of which were knockouts, no draw and only according to my research only one loss. Does anybody know who handed him his only career loss?
Peter “Sugarfoot” Cunningham has shifted his career to teaching and to acting on the the Big Screen. He has already appeared in a number of productions. Besides “The Fighter”, as mentioned above, he is credited for his work in the 1985 martial arts movie “No Retreat, No Surrender” as lightweight champion fighter Frank Peters, as well as in the 1986 Yuen Biao/Corey Yuen film “Righting Wrongs”.
And because we all enjoy some really good visuals, you’re in for a treat starring Peter “Sugarfoot” Cummingham.
Stop by again in the next few days for more martial arts greats …….
Cung Le And The Chinese Fighting Art Of Sanshou
Just recently I heard about a Chinese fighting art ….. on the tennis court!
As I was talking with a team mate, I learned from him that he had been a practitioner of a style I had briefly heard about years back, but I never really looked into any deeper.
Until today.
Originated in China the style is called Sanshou (free hand) and at times Sanda (free fighting).
It is both a self-defense system and a combat sport.
Sanshou combines a number of extremely vital and effective elements such as kicking, punching, throwing, grappling and applying joint locks.
One of Sanshou’s special emphasis is the so-called kick-catch, whereby one person throws a kick and the other person catches the kick and then trips the other person’s leg they are standing on.
Thinking about it, that’s what we even practiced way back in my Shotokan karate days. I just made that connection while writing this.
Sanshou as a sport is regulated by a bunch of different rules depending on amateur or professional status and also on the location of where the fights take place like China or the U.S.
Among all the successful and very skilled Sanshou fighters, one practitioner has really stood out for me during the years and he has without a doubt made a name for himself. He is the Vietnamese American kickboxer, mixed martial artist and actor, simply known as Cung Le from San Jose, California.
Cung Le has won too many titles and championships to list here, but I will mention that he won the Strikeforce Middleweight World Championship by beating legendary mixed martial arts champion Frank Shamrock about 2 years ago. Cung Le actually broke his opponent’s arm by executing devasting kicks during their fight.
Cung Le has been actively pursuing his career on the Big Screen and was awarded a role in Bodyguards And Assassins starring Donnie Yen which was released last December.
I found a video clip that I think you will enjoy if you like action-filled fight scenes. Warning: It can be a little rough and tough at times.
Last Week In Review February 2010 At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
Over the last 5 months since the inception of TheMartialArtsReporter.com my foremost goal has been and will continue to be to provide my readers with the greatest possible diversity of mainly positive martial arts related posts.
Readership has been growing faster than anticipated and I am certainly more than happy about that.
I’ll be honest with you: Make my day simply by visiting this blog whenever you want a quick ‘lift me up’ and tell all your friends about it.
If you have ever sent any comments in the past, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Don’t stop now!
If you haven’t so far, please feel free to share your thoughts on any of the previous 160 posts.
Thank you so much for your continuing support and interest.
This year seems to be moving at lightning speed. Two months have already passed and here’s the last Week In Review February 2010:
Years before Bruce Lee, …Extreme Pushups By Fitness Legend Jack LaLanne
An important topic in anybody’s life, … No Fear Or Know Fear?
Jean-Paul Belmondo … I Really Think He Was “The French Steve McQueen”
Consider Mokuso Or The Power Of Meditation Not Only For Martial Artists
Did The Movie “Enough” With Jennifer Lopez Help Women’s Self-Defense?
High-grade Muay Thai … From The Netherlands, The First Foreigner To Be Named “Muay Thai Fighter Of The Year”
Enjoy And Don’t Be A Stranger!
From The Netherlands, The First Foreigner To Be Named “Muay Thai Fighter Of The Year”
You guys already know how important and how popular Muay Thai is in Thailand and to the Thai people.
They expect and they will do everything in their power to ensure that Thai fighters are on top of the game, called Muay Thai.
Understanding that makes it such an impressive acomplishment for a non-Thai to receive the coveted “Muay Thai Fighter Of The Year” award and in 1992 that’s exactly what happened.
The recipient’s name is Ramon Dekkers, aka “The Diamond” or “Turbine From Hell” and I must say he is definitely one of my all-time favorites. His kicking and punching abilities are legendary. Absolutely amazing!
The Dutchman was a force to be reckoned with, thus being able to become a 8-time Muay Thai World Champion.
Officially his fighting career lasted for 20 years, namely from 1986 – 2006.
Ramon Dekkers fought some of the best Muay Thai fighters Thailand had to offer. What really makes him stand out even more, is the fact that he would accept any challenge at any time. Many times that meant even if his opponent was bigger and more experienced as well as while he himself was still injured from previous bouts.
This dedication and commitment certainly won him a lot of admiration in the Muay Thai community not only in Thailand.
He is the legendary Ramon “The Diamond” Dekkers.
Why Kick High If You Can Kick Low?
I know that well executed high kicks can get people’s attention and admiration. When competing in certain styles such as Tae Kwon Do, Karate etc. that’s how you get the points, right?! I also know they have their justification, so just hear me out.
Speaking from my personal experience, it’s very exhilarating to execute a yodan-kizami-zuki (upper jab), a chudan-gyaku-zuki (cross to solar plexus) and then finalize with a yodan-mawashi-geri (upper roundhouse kick) to an opponent’s temple. Hmm, was just strolling down memory lane. Yeah, baby (was supposed to sound like Austin Powers!).
Now, many years later, for me the first two techniques no problem. The final mawashi geri to the what? Let’s get real, will ya? I am not 20 anymore, so I will simply adapt to circumstances which means I am going apply a Muay Thai round kick to my not so friendly opponent’s upper thigh by using my shin.
Listen up, even without going to the gym or dojo for years and years most people can acquire the skills for this kick fairly quickly. I also believe it’s a pretty neat self-defense technique for women. We all know that legs are more powerful than arms. So let’s just put that knowledge to work in our favor.
This combination and especially the final technique is really fast and really effective. Really!
To give you a better idea of what it looks like, check out this clip and try it. You’re gonna like it.
Another Week In Review At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
Thank you so very much for stopping by again.
I hope you enjoy this week in review and two great quotes that will leave their mark.
“The Best Of The Best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor” is originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but he’s not even a Gracie or a Machado. Find out more about whom Rickson Gracie considers to be his most technical instructor.
Michael Kuhr, Former Kickboxing Champion, Now Security Professional In Berlin, Germany In some circles he is known as “The Godfather”. Find out why in this article.
Girl Power Expressed Through Karate Kata Perfection Learn More About Karate Kata And Watch A Japanese Female Trio Perform.
Is This The Holy Grail For Martial Arts Competitors, Part 2, Final Have You Really Done Everything There Is To Get Prepared ?
Is This Missing Link To Complete Your Training Regimen? Is This The Holy Grail For Martial Arts Competitors, Part 1 of 2?
Bruce Lee One-On-One With ….. One Of His Students And Former NBA Superstars And A “Tall Order”.
That wraps it up for the week. Or does it really?
Here are the two quotes I hope you enjoy as much as I do:
“Always seek out the seed of triumph in every adversity.” Og Mandino
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Peter Drucker
I will talk to you tomorrow!
Michael Kuhr, Former Kickboxing Champion, Now Security Professional High In Demand In Berlin
Michael Kuhr from Germany gained fame through his numerous amateur kickboxing championship titles.
He then went pro and became Germany’s first World Champion in Kickboxing.
Years have passed since his bouts in the ring.
Michael Kuhr now runs a successful security company in the German capital of Berlin.
This is a tough business that calls for discipline, integrity and a cool head when things around you heat up.
In certain circles he is simply known as ‘Der Pate’, which translates into English as ‘The Godfather’.
Michael Kuhr has become a celebrity on German TV because of his professionalism and the success he enjoys in Berlin.
To get you acquainted with Michael Kuhr, here are two video clips you found.
The first one shows him as a kickboxing champion and the second one displays his de-escalation skills as a bouncer in his current line of business.
Warning: There is some profanity in the seond video.
Bruce Lee One-On-One With Kareem Abdul Jabbar
If you’re into any style of martial art that involves high kicks every now and then such as taekwondo, karate, kung fu, muay thai, savate, kick-boxing and others, you have probably encountered the challenge of executing the perfect high kick.
Let’s say you’re 5’10″ and you nail a kick at your opponent’s temple who happens to be 6’1″.
Who wouldn’t consider that to be quite a feat?!
Bruce Lee was able to take similar challenges to unchartered heights.
According to a number of reports, Bruce Lee was 5 feet 7 1/2 inches tall.
So, normally in our equation it would be pretty good to execute a high roundhouse kick or similar to the head of an opponent who was around 6 feet tall, right?
That wasn’t good enough for Bruce Lee. He picked an opponent for his movie “Game of Death”, who was 18 1/2 inches taller.
His opponent’s name was Kareem Abdul Jabbar who at the time was a NBA star still playing for the Milwaukee Bucks and measured 7 feet 2 inches in height.
As we know a picture can say more than a thousand words.
So let’s just enjoy 5 minutes of a martial arts movie classic with Bruce Lee vs. Kareem Abdul Jabbar in “Game of Death”.
One Of The Best Weeks In Review At TheMartialArtsReporter.com
I hope you are enjoying your weekend as much as I am enjoying mine.
Time sure flies when you’re having fun.
Putting these posts, articles, stories together for you is fun for me.
So, please keep on visiting TheMartialArtsReporter.com and tell your friends and family about this blog.
It’s about informing, inspiring and entertaining martial artists and martial arts enthusiasts.
Are You Ready For Tonight’s UFC 107 BJ Penn Vs. Diego Sanchez?
BJ “The Prodigy” Penn Vs. Diego “The Nightmare” Sanchez At UFC 107 Lightweight Title Fight in Memphis, TN.
Amir Perets, Martial Arts Champion, Fitness Guru, Israeli Self-Defense Expert
The Real Deal, Amir Perets Shows You Self-Defense That Works… For Real.
Legendary Renzo Gracie Gets Multi-Fight deal With The UFC
UFC Dana White Gets BJJ And MMA Legend Renzo Gracie Back Into The Octagon.
Fight Deal For Manny Pacquiao Vs. Floyd Mayweather set For March 13, 2010
Already Heralded As The Fight Of The Century: Manny Pacquiao Vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. On March 13, 2010.
Before Steven Seagal Was “Lawman” And “Above The Law”
Action Movie Superstar And Martial Artist Steven Seagal Stars As “Lawman” In A&E Reality Cop Series.
TKD Gold Medalist Dana Hee And Change “I Can’t” To “I Can”
Taekwondo Gold Medalist, Actress, Stuntwoman And Motivational Speaker Dana Hee Knows A Thing Or Two About Changing “I Can’t” To “I Can”.
Hope you enjoy catching up on some of the posts you might have missed. Or maybe you liked them so much that you just have to read them again.
I can’t leave you without two really good quotes:
“Happiness depends on ourselves.”
Aristotle
“Every man dies; not every man truly lives.”
Mel Gibson (Braveheart)
Amir Perets – Martial Arts Champion, Fitness Guru, Israeli Self-Defense Expert
Amir Perets was born in Tiberias, Israel.
By the the time he turned 18, Amir was already National Heavyweight Kick-Boxing Champion and considerd a martial arts expert.
Due to his extraordinary skills demonstrated during his service in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) he qualified to become a member/commando of the highly distinguished elite IDF Naval Commando Unit “Shayetet 13″ which could probably be compared to U.S. Navy Seals.
Amir later on became the Krav Maga/hand-to-hand combat instructor of the Israeli infantry and Special Forces units.
Krav Maga was developed by Imi Lichtenfeld and is considered the combat system of the Israeli Defense Forces. It has been gaining in worldwide recognition as an extremely effective self-defense system for civilians, too.
Click Here to read my recent post on Krav Maga
Currently he trains combat self-defense to U.S. law enforcement and military special anti-terrorist units around the world.
Amir Perets teaches a modern day fighting system that integrates self defense and combat fitness methods that he has made available to civilians, too.
His system incorporates two highly respected and realistic approaches to self defense and fight training: Krav Maga and specialized techniques from the world of Mixed Martial Arts (no holds barred).
Be amazed by Amir Perets, martial arts champion, fitness guru and Israeli self-defense expert. I know I am!
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