It was fight night in Rama on Saturday as The Rise of the Lotus live kickboxing event took over the gym at the Chippewas of Rama First Nation’s Mnjikaning Arena Sports Ki (MASK).
Nic Langman, owner of Black Lotus Academy of Martial Arts and Fitness, says the show is an attempt to grow the sport locally.
"Until people kind of see more of the sport itself, they aren't really going to have the desire to take it up," he said. "Exposure to the sport is always really good."
The event also allows the athletes of Black Lotus Academy of Martial Arts and Fitness in Orillia to compete in front of a home crowd.
"We compete a lot every year," Langman said. "We always travel to compete and are never the hometown favourites."
There were six local athletes on Saturday's card, and more than 200 people in attendance, which helped to create an "electric" atmosphere, Langman says.
"Live fights are always exciting," he said. "In kickboxing, when somebody lands a kick or a punch, people cheer for them."
McKenna Van Allen, a national kickboxing champion, and Twin Lakes Secondary School graduate, says competing in front of a home crowd on Saturday was "exciting."
"It was cool to have a bunch of my friends and family there," she said.
Van Allen, 22, says kickboxing is sort of like a hockey game in terms of atmosphere.
"Most people think it's a little more barbaric than it actually is," she said. "Even though you are fighting, it's friendly competition."
Van Allen hopes everybody who attended on Saturday evening had a good time and will continue to support local kickboxing.
"It's an exciting sport to watch," she said. "Hopefully everybody loved coming out and we can put on more shows."
Orillia's Dan Malloy took part in his first full-contact fight on Saturday night. He says it was exciting to have friends and family in attendance for the bout.
"Having their support is awesome," he said. "It's really cool to be a part of this show."
Malloy, 28, believes there is some "apprehensiveness" about the full contact aspect of kickboxing from some community members, but he says the sport is mostly safe.
"Like any other sport, we train to be durable," he explained. "We train not to make mistakes to leave openings. In a good competitive fight, you shouldn't have one-hit knockouts or things like that."
Langman hopes those who attended the event on Saturday realize the amount of respect and sportsmanship the competitors have for each other.
"You'd think when you go watch these people fight, there is some emotional attachment to their fighting. But it's a sport, and we are trying to behave like professionals," he said. "When the bell goes at the end, these competitors hug each other and thank each other for the opportunity to learn and grow from each other."
Malloy hopes Saturday's event will inspire attendees to sign up to partake in kickboxing at Black Lotus Academy of Martial Arts and Fitness and come back to support future events.
"If we can establish a fan base, that would be awesome," he said. "It would allow us to keep putting on these kinds of events."
