A great way to gain insight into Scott Hirano’s creative direction and how he gets the photos he does is to take a look at his inspiration. His photojournalistic style is inspired by the likes of: James Nachtwey, Eugene Richards, Nina Berman, and especially one of his favorites W. Eugene Smith. He feels that their secret is to invest a lot of time into their subjects, which in turn creates images that are way too real.
This is our second instalment of our feature called “Behind the Lens: The Unsung Heroes” – in which we celebrate some of the best photographers within the fight industry. Many of these guys and girls help to accelerate the growth of the female fighting industry, and their work and effort often go un-praised.
August Female Fight Fixtures and Results. The most comprehensive list of female fights scheduled for August 2014 in the world. Including Boxing, MMA, Muay Thai and Submission Grappling. Updated daily, we’re sure there are more happening around world, and we will eagerly add them as we come across them! Feel free to contact us if you have info on any other fights, or if you feel we have made an error.
Smash 9 – Iske vs Hodge. On Saturday the 5th we had the pleasure of seeing Lubena Jane Iske face Bekie Hodge for the WBC British Super-Featherweight Title at Smash 9 in Watford, UK.
Smash 9 – Amber Kitchen vs Niamh Kinehan. We travelled this past Saturday to Smash Muaythai 9 in Watford, UK, to see two fights: The WBC title fight between Lubena Jane Iske and Bekie Hodge and the other female bout on the card between Amber Kitchen and Niamh Kinehan.
Julie Kitchen Blooper Reel. We were going through our archives and rediscovered an amusing clip of The Queen of Muay Thai, Julie Kitchen. We thought you’d like to see it, as this clip proves that this living legend is human after all!
July Female Fight Fixtures and Results from around the world, collated by Awakening Fighters. Includes: Boxing, Muay Thai, MMA & K1.
Farinaz Lari Interview Pt.2. This is the second part of the Farinaz Lari interview, here is the link to part one.
Farinaz Lari Interview Pt.1. Farinaz Lari is an Iranian born amateur female fighter, in the disciplines of Kickboxing and Muay Thai. In 2010 she moved to Vancouver, Canada. She holds a 2nd Degree black belt in kickboxing and is an amateur world champion!
In part one we introduced you to incredible French photographer Thomas Weber. We specifically split this article in two so we could shoehorn in more of his great photos for you. In this part we’ll discuss his thoughts on female fighters, and briefly mention his other subject matter.
You may recall that last month we introduced this new feature called “Behind the Lens: The Unsung Heroes” – a celebration and tip of the hat to some of the best photographers in the fight industry. For it is these guys and girls that help to accelerate the growth of female fighting, and they often go unnoticed as people. Our first photographer that we’ll be taking a look at is Thomas Weber.
Women’s martial arts is truly a global sport on the rise, and its growth is roused by athletes like Ranini Cundasawmy, a prominent multi-disciplined fighter from Mauritius. Ranini has been pivotal within the island nation’s martial arts community as a Muay Thai and Savate champion, coach, and icon.
Van Soest and Payne talk Lion Fight 15 Rematch. Last week Lion Fight Promotions announced their full card for Lion Fight 15! It had been common knowledge for a while that the ultra-exciting Tiffany van Soest would be on the show, but it was only very recently that they finally confirmed that she would be rematched against UK’s technical Lucy Payne.
Jo Calderwood Interview. Joanne Calderwood is undoubtedly one of the fan favourites among the new UFC Strawweight division. Not only is she incredibly humble and softly spoken, but she has some serious Celtic skills and flies the Scottish flag high.
Julie Kitchen Website Launched. Yesterday we posted the Julie Kitchen Story, all really in the hopes of wetting you’re your appetites… because today at 4pm (GMT), we launch Julie’s website!
The Julie Kitchen Story – Part 1. On April 19th 1977, as Ivor and Lynn Barrett blissfully held their newly born second child at Truro Hospital, Cornwall, England – they would have no idea that this vulnerable little girl would carve her name in history as one of the all-time greatest martial artists in the world. This little girl, of course, was Julie Kitchen.
The Julie Kitchen Story – Part 2. Returning to work after maternity leave, she found the hours impossible. The management, by now extremely fond of Julie, didn’t want to let her go so they trained her up to work part time as a wages clerk. This was a job that held a lot of responsibility and she enjoyed it very much.
Maritzarda Hersisia Interview. Maritzarda Hersisia is a Dutch female Muay Thai fighter under Ben Boekee, Team Thriving. She is also a Champion in Sanshou, let us not forget that!
Tanya Merrett “with kindness and respect”. An interview with Tanya Merrett. Tanya Merrett is a National Muay Thai Champion fighting out of Eagles Muay Thai in Cardiff, Wales under Lee Power. You’d be hard pushed to find someone who’s met Tanya and doesn’t love her, she is an absolutely lovely girl.
Lucy Payne vs. Victoria Lomax. Sunday 23rd of March saw Lucy Payne successfully defend her Awakening World Title (57kg) against Victoria Lomax (Spain). The fight turned out to be an elbowfest, and Lucy proved to be back to her usual form. Victoria showed real heart throughout the fight.
Vicky Church vs Lauren Huxley. Yesterday Touchgloves Gym hosted their Judgement Day 2 Muay Thai event in Penzance, UK. We attended to oversee the two female headline bouts (and only female fights on the show), one of which was Lucy Payne’s defence of her Awakening World Title.
Lauren Huxley “I will dominate and win”. Lauren Huxley, aka The Hatchet, is a 16 year old Muay Thai fighter who has already made European Champion. She fights out of WPT Wales, Swansea and relentlessly excites audiences with her fearless and technical style.
