By Conrad MacLean
Murdoch’s Martial Arts Society’s biannual competition next month promises to pack a punch.
Contestants in the Kung Fu Dungeon Competition will aim to last five two-minute, one-on-one matches against the five leaders of the martial arts society – with prizes at stake.
Society President Jakov Ikac demonstrates a throw on a student member
The competition, founded earlier this year by Jakov Ikak, the society’s president, is held once a semester and is open to anyone who wants to participate.
“For every victory they (the contestants) get a prize,” Ikak says. “If you get all the way up to Michael (the society’s founder) and beat him, you win the grand prize but if you lose in between any of the matches you forfeit all of the prizes.
“You can leave at any point in the competition and leave with all the prizes you’ve got up to that point.”
The competition is multidisciplinary, meaning contestants can use of boxing, wrestling and traditional styles.
Despite the diversity, the competition has rules. Elbows to the face, biting and scratching are forbidden.
The society does not teach one specific martial art. The organisation is made up of a mixture of martial artists from different disciplines who gather to share their knowledge.
Society founder Michael Sun is careful to describe it as a martial arts society rather than a club.
“It’s forum where people can come together, get together to either practice, exchange ideas or just expand their knowledge,” he says.
The Kung Fu Dungeon competition will be held on November 3. A gold coin donation is requested of spectators.