The Level Up Fight Team Trains At CSC Richmond
As always the Level Up Fight Team is on the grind. Since the gyms opening there has rarely been a break in the training or competition schedule. Head Coach Jason Farrell and his students wouldn’t have it any other way. Right now the focus is on Boxing as two Level Up fighters will be competing at the November 2nd Rumble At Club 1 event in Millersville Maryland, but when the President of the WKA calls and asks you to bring fighters out to crosstrain at his gym, you make it happen! Brian Crenshaw, owner of Combat Sports Center, and face of the North American World Kickboxing Association has been a long time supporter of Muay Thai, and Kickboxing here on the East Coast. His gym produces countless world Champions, and is preparing Francois Ambang for his official Glory World Series Kickboxing debut on November 23rd in New York.
Coach Jason took a handful of students out to CSC, including Jared Tipton who will be making his Pro Kickboxing debut in the near future, Marc Julian an amatuer boxer who will be fighting November 2nd, as well as Nick Rossman and Ryan Weaver who will get their first taste of competition experience December 7th in the Level Up Boxing and Kickboxing Sparring Event. The crew took off early Saturday morning to make it just in time for padwork. The practice was run by Brian Crenshaw himself as well as Instructor Brandon Mickens. The students would work specific combos on the pads, and then gear up to trade “Dutch Style” combinations back and forth. After a few rounds of trading combos the fighters took a quick water break and got ready to spar.
The group was divided into two groups. 165lbs and above went to one group, 165lbs and below made the second group. There was a large turnout for the day so each group would take turns sparring. The technical skill on display was impressive. The excitement in the air was electric! Being able to train with new people is always a great way to improve, you’re forced to find new ways to adapt. The respect level was on full display as well, everyone was able to get in plently of rounds with no injuries. The sparring stayed more on the technical side as the fighters didn’t throw strikes at 100%, but there was just enough competitiveness to keep everyone on their toes and sharp without it carrying over into an all out scrap. Without question everyone who showed up got better, and new relationships were born that can only be made by trading punches and kicks.
“We had a great time training at CSC. I and my Team are extremely thankful to Kru Brian for giving us this opportunity to train at his gym. We look forward to coming back in the future. We’d also like to give our best wishes to the US National Team leaving next week to compete at the WKA Worlds Tournament, and also to Francois at Glory 12 in new York”
Coach Jason Farrell
