Team Knockout competitors from Knockout Martial Arts and Fitness in Courtenay successfully displayed their skills at two recent competitions.
Shelley "Straight Nasty" Strachan won her fight convincingly at AMA 6 in Vancouver and the team collected two gold and three bronze medals at the recent Be First Tournament in Victoria.
Strachan was regarded as the top 145-pound female in B.C. before this fight but cemented her status as B.C.’s best with an outstanding showing at AMA 6, held Nov. 30 in Vancouver.
“Shelley displayed her growth and high-level technique by being on a totally different level than her opponent,” a Team Knockout trainer stated. Strachan won a unanimous decision over Becca Macdonald with a nasty clinch game and beautiful timing.
The first round saw Strachan drop Macdonald with a knee to the stomach. Macdonald recovered and continued after an eight count, but rounds two and three saw much of the same as Strachan was landing clean right hands and knees almost at will.
With this win Strachan continues her unbeaten streak and her next fight will be for a championship title. With the top quality training that Knockout is providing her, and her overall skills and determination, she is more than ready for her upcoming title shot and is expected to win the belt.
“It is an honour to be training someone with so much heart and who is a true martial artist. Shelley truly deserves all her success," a Team Knockout spokesperson said. Strachan thanks her husband Lorne, her kids, and the rest of her family and friends who support her.
The Be First Tournament had Esther Sample winning bronze in women’s boxing and gold in kickboxing, “Esther put on an absolute display of skill and dominated the tournament," a Team Knockout trainer said.
Adam Jones won gold in kickboxing. "Adam made some adjustments on the fly and it showed in his dominance in the finals," a Team Knockout trainer noted.
Shawn Rose won bronze in kickboxing, Mike Cullen competed in the open division, Braden Perfitt earned bronze in kids kickboxing, Peter Greaves competed in the kids division and had the best control in the whole tournament.
"We were so proud of Peter for his level of control. That was worth a gold medal in our eyes. We were so proud of everyone that competed. They all showed heart, class, and respect. Thank you Carlson Mechanical, Cadd Train, Fitness Etc, Brando Construction, Bryce Hansen Remax, Cloverdale Paint, and Pelegos Trucking for helping these amateur athletes," a Team Knockout spokesperson said.
"Team Knockout is in various competitions but never forget that we are a family-first Muay Thai school and are always open for new people. Whether you want fitness, self-defence, and/or sport/competition we are here to help you achieve confidence through martial arts."
For more information visit them at www.knockoutmartialarts.ca, Facebook, or call 250-871-8997.
– Knockout Martial Arts and Fitness