WEDNESDAY, March 3rd, 2004, AT 1:40 PM, PT
Updated With TKO On April 15th, 2004
Updated Without TKO On June 16th, 2004

2004 IKF Amateur
North American Classic
The True Test for All NORTH AMERICAN
Amateur Kickboxers!

Something NEW For This Event...THE NAME!

By now you noticed the new name and format of this event. Let us explain why so you all know the story... For the first/last 5 years, this has been known as the IKF USA National Amateur Kickboxing Championships. However, after last years event there was a lot of discussion about expanding the regional boundaries of the event to include more fighters and better competition. We had even suggested calling this event the IKF "WORLD" Classic.

However, as we discussed it, the word WORLD and the registration of fighters who we could not confirm had never fought pro made this idea fall away. It's clear that not everyone in the WORLD would be able to attend this event. It's clear not everyone in America and North America are able to attend due to travel costs, work and school schedules etc. etc. We did not want a winner to believe they were a "WORLD" Champion after fighting in a tournament with the final bout being 3 rounds. Thus we left the "BIG" Amateur title fights to be 5 rounds. Adding to this, we had a lot of discussion about making this "Tournament Title", different than a title that is fought for and defended throughout the year. All of these arguments for the "Tournament Title" being separate from regular titles fought for and defended throughout the year made major sense. In the end, we knew we wanted to expand the tournament boundaries, but we also wanted to be able to keep check on the fighters to assure they were amateurs and had never fought pro. Thus the decision to now name this event, the

IKF
Amateur
North American Classic!

Last years event (The 5th year of this event) registered 216 amateur Kickboxers between the ages of 8 and 45. Of them 115 were above the waist Full Contact American rule style Kickboxers, 69 were International leg kick rules and 32 were MuayThai fighters. The actual 200 fighters that showed up to "Walk the Walk" fought a record number, 146 bouts over 2 days to determine the best amateur kickboxers in America in their perspective divisions. In the end, there were 55 IKF/TKO USA Championship Title Belts awarded.

The 2003 event was a huge success as fighters and trainers came from all over the United States to "Walk The Walk!" Some would be victorious in their quest to be called the 2003 IKF/TKO USA National Amateur Champion, while others would need to say at least they gave their all amongst the best. This year we will welcome amateur kickboxers from not just the USA but from Canada and Mexico. Based on the five years the event has been held, not only has it more than doubled its number of competitors, but it also has become the standard assessment for amateur kickboxers in USA. We hope to expand that now to all the Amateur Kickboxers in North America.

The IKF Amateur Championship Tournament is a unique event for kickboxers and is the kickboxing equivalent to the golden glove tournament for amateur boxers. The event is the incubator for the future of the sport. The fighters compete at regional events held throughout North America to determine their seed/ranking for the Championship Tournament. Those competitors that do not compete in a Regional Event will have to start from the bottom and fight their way up to the championship match. In this process of elimination, competitors could fight up to three to four times over the weekend before winning a championship. Each match is three rounds in length and two minutes each round. The competitors pay an entree fee to help cover tournament expenses and also pay their own travel expenses to attend the event.

Most competitors don't mind the expenses and are even more motivated to try harder knowing that winning one of the $230.00 hand made Brass & Leather IKF Title Belts is worth it all! The Champions also receive beautiful black hooded jackets with the IKF Tournament logo and a pair of autograph boxing gloves also embossed with the IKF Tournament logo, supplied by Ringside Inc.. All the 2nd place finishers received a finalist medal. And everyone will receive a Wipps Brainpad/Mouthpiece courtesy of Wipss Products! They can also rest assured that the tournament has fair judging and safety precautions, therefore rules of competition and headgear like in amateur/Olympic boxing is strictly enforced.

Last year's event, was more successful in regards to the level of competition which improves every year. Like any event such as this, in previous years following the first, more kickboxers hear of the quality of the event and more come out of the woodworks to "Walk The Walk!" Some after the event that were confident of victory before it all started found themselves saying, "oh well, they really came to fight this year...I'll be back to go for it again next year!" They now realize that the IKF Amateur Championship Tournament is a must for serious kickboxers and is setting the standard for who are TRULY the best Amateur Kickboxers in the USA and now, in North America!

The International Kickboxing Federation has been the front runner in recognizing past champions who have contributed to the sport of Kickboxing. It doesn't matter which organization they fought for, the only thing that matters is that they are recognized kickboxers who helped grow this great sport in their respective divisions or styles. Last year's event as past events had many past and current amateur and pro champions who realize the impact of the IKF Amateur Championship Tournament. Many of them are now training up and coming champions of their own. Just to name a few of those in attendance over the years have been IKF World Champions Dave "Madman" Marinoble, Anthony "Powerhouse" Bartenelli, Duke Roufus, Kongnapa, Mike Labree along with other Kickboxing Champions such as Kevin Hudson, Jim Zbilski, Jimmy Stewart, Johnny "Superfoot" Davis, Chuck Wolfe, Bookerd Fairtex, Bob "Thunder" Thurmond, Curtis Bush, Scott Mincey and many others...

Past and current champions alike are excited about the IKF Amateur Championship Tournament. Past champions know that it was their blood, sweat, and tears that provided this moment for fighters today. These great champions promised even more participation from their gyms for the 2004 IKF Amateur Championships and were proud to be a part of this momentous event. So, amateur kickboxers across North America..., the "white glove" is off, the line is drawn in the sand and the challenge is issued, Train hard and get ready to

"WALK THE WALK"
to the
2004 IKF Amateur North American Classic Kickboxing Championships!
YOUR TRUE TEST TO BE THE BEST!
Bring It ON!

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

The IKF Amateur Championship Tournament is open to both men and women "AMATEURS" ages 8 and up from USA, Canada, Mexico, Greenland & Bermuda

SEEDING & Placement - Regionals to Finals

1. REGIONAL SEEDING TOURNAMENTS: In each Regional Seeding Tournament, fighters will be fighting to determine their seeding at the Finals. Regardless of their bout outcome, all fighters will be welcome to the IKF Amateur Championship Finals event.
2. *PREVIOUS CHAMPIONS: All previous years Champions (IKF/TKO USA National Amateur Champions) do not have to compete at their regionals to determine their seeding at the 2004 IKF Amateur Championship Finals. ALL previous years Champions will recieve an automatic **#1 Seeding at the IKF Amateur Championship Finals Event. Like any Champion, it's their title to defend and they will be ready to defend it... "Bring It ON!"
   • (**) If you are a previous year "North American Champion," 'AND' a previous year USA Champion you will be the top seed in the spot you won the North American tournament at.
   • If there is a USA Champion and a North American Champion and BOTH were at the USA Nationals, the North American Champion would be seeded #1 followed by the USA Champion at #2 seed.
   • If a North American Champion did not participate at the previous years USA Nationals, he/she would be a number 2 seed behind the USA Champion of the previous year.
   • (*) If you are a previous years Champion (Junior/Children Included) and you plan to attend this years IKF Amateur Championship Finals, you must defend the title in the same weightclass and the same rule style as the title you won last year. Otherwise, you will be required to register and become seeded through your regional seeding tournament if there is one in your area.
3. SEEDING FOR FIGHTERS WITHOUT A REGIONAL: If there is no regional in a fighters area, they have 2 choices. 1: To travel to register at the regional seeding tournament closest to them and attend it to assure a strong seeding or, 2: To simply register as a "Walkover" fighter to attend the Nationals. "IF YOU DO NOT REGISTER AT ANY REGIONAL SEEDING TOURNAMENT, YOU WILL HAVE A LOWER SEED THAN EVERYONE WHO DID PARTICIPATE AT A REGIONAL SEEDING TOURNAMENT." You do not need to be living in a state that is listed for a regional seeding tournament. Again, if you are not in a state that is included in a regional seeding tournament you have the 2 choices above. IF YOU ARE living in a state that is included in a regional seeding tournament you MUST REGISTER for this regional event to qualify to attend the National finals.
4. If you do not register for the regional event in your area you will NOT BE ALLOWED TO ATTEND The IKF Amateur Championship Finals.

YEARLY TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS

The WINNERS of the each division will be crowned the IKF Amateur Championship Finals Champion.

2004 Main Tournament Page - 2004 Finalist Page - 2004 Finals Event Page - 2004 Finals Officials - Tournament Rules
Northwest - Central West - Southwest - North Mountain - Central Mountain - South Mountain - North Central #1 - FCR - North Central #2 -MTR & IR - US Central - South Central 1 - South Central 2 - Northeast -Central East - FCR - Southeast
FC: Full Contact Rules - IR: International / Leg Kick Rules - MT: MuayThai Rules - Junior Rules - Ages 8-17
Main USA Nationals Page - IKF Home Page