SACA Kickboxing competes in Calgary over weekend

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 24, 2023.

sports@medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

Medicine Hat’s SACA Kickboxing had three students fight in a smoker card in Calgary.

A smoker card doesn’t count on a fighter’s official fight record, the rounds are 90 seconds instead of 2 minutes, 16oz gloves instead of 10oz, material hand wraps opposed to tape and gauze. These cards are a higher level than a light tournament and a lower level than a sanctioned fight card.

Thirteen-year-old Jesse Sandberg showed improvement in his fight according to SACA coach Jamie Droeske.

“Jesse has been with SACA Kickboxing for approximately four years, he has done many tournaments and has also had a sanctioned fight,” Droeske said in an email to the News.

“There is no sign of stopping. The fight this past weekend didn’t go his way, however it always makes them hungrier for another.”

Jace Aspinall fought in his first smoker event and Droeske said the 18-year-old was longer than his opponent and was able to keep him back with long kicks.

“Jace has only been with SACA Kickboxing for just under a year and has great potential and we plan to have him fight at the next local event Fists of Fury 18,” Droeske said. “The fight didn’t go his way but he was very proud of his performance.”

SACA’s last representative was 25-year-old Kathleen Haskayne who Droekse says pressed forward the entire time and overwhelmed her opponent leading to a win.

“Kathleen has done a variety of competitions and looks forward to also fighting at Fists of Fury,” Droeske said. “Kathleen is a quiet, soft spoken girl who flips a switch in the ring.”

The 18th Fists of Fury is in Medicine Hat on Apr. 22.

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