The Belarusian Thai boxing school is known throughout the world. Even the founders of this martial art recognized that the fighters of this European country are really excellent masters of fighting in the stance. The article will talk about a man named Alexei Viktorovich Ignashov, who is one of the athletes who have achieved high achievements in Thai boxing.
Curriculum Vitae
The future world sports star was born in Minsk on January 18, 1978. At the age of fifteen, Ignashov Alexei entered the Higher Professional School of Builders, where he studied at the joiner-tiler, machine operator, woodcarver. In 1996, he graduated from martial arts coaching courses at the corresponding faculty at the Belarusian State Institute of Physical Education. Two years later he received the title of master of sports of international class. As for higher education, his Ignashov Alexei received him as a psychologist-historian. In the period 2012-2016 he studied in Moscow at the University of Synergy at the Faculty of Sports Management.
The beginning of sports life
At the age of 14, Alexey Ignashov began to intensively engage in his physical training in a wide variety of sports sections. Since 1994, the young man has completely devoted himself to Thai boxing. His first training place was the Cintiao Club, and his first coach was Igor Borisovich Garadilov. In 1998, the athlete went to train in Andrei Sergeyevich Gridina in the Chinook sports club. According to the fighter, it was Gridin who became the real founder of Thai boxing in Belarus.
First exit
The debut in the professional ring for the Belarusian turned out to be not very successful. In his first fight, he lost to the legendary Dutchman Remy Bonyarski. As the “Red Scorpion” recalls, in that fight he pretty well boxed and defended all the allotted rounds with this outstanding opponent. However, after the fight Alexey felt severe pain in his legs, and the next morning they were swollen so that the athlete could barely put on jeans.
First title
In the summer of 1999, the Belarusian tayboxer for the first time became the world champion in a rather prestigious version of WMC. His opponent in the fight for the belt was the Swede Jorgen Krut, whom Ignashov knocked out in the second round. This was Alexei's first major achievement on a professional level.
Fight with Kaman
On October 24, 1999, Aleksey Viktorovich Ignashov met in Amsterdam with retiring and having his last fight Rob Kaman. The Belarusian lost the fight by a referee’s decision, however, after the verdict was announced, the Dutchman came up and personally raised his hand to Alexei, thereby recognizing him as the winner, and wished him patience and perseverance on his sports path.
Controversial loss
On April 2, 2001, the Red Scorpion fought with Stefan Leko. According to Ignashov, the German was perfectly physically prepared for battle and excellently moved around the ring. At a certain point in the fight, Alexei literally began to crush his opponent and in one of the episodes struck a knee, which the referee considered illegal and decided to disqualify the Belarusian. However, this outcome of the fight did not affect the relationship between the fighters, and after the battle, Leko himself approached Alexei to communicate in an informal setting, thereby showing his respect.
About fights
Almost all the battles of Alexey Ignashov are a vivid sight, regardless of the outcome. In his youth, the Belarusian spent 10, and sometimes more, fights per year, which is a very high indicator for a professional fighter. According to the athlete himself, many of his colleagues in the workshop were simply perplexed as to how he finds the strength to enter the ring so often. And Peter Arts, a well-known fighter in the past, even called Alexei crazy.
A few words about MMA
Our hero is an eight-time world champion in Thai boxing, but this does not prevent him from playing in mixed fights. In the octagon, he spent three fights, of which one won, one lost, and another was declared invalid.
Alexei is even familiar with the Gracie family, and with one of his brothers he practiced wrestling equipment, as a result of which Ignashov realized how much it is needed in the modern world of martial arts.
About japan
In one of his many interviews, Alexey admitted that the Japanese are the most loyal and at the same time dangerous fans. In his life there was a case when he even cooked borsch in his hotel room. However, there were dangerous situations when a crowd of fans literally nearly tore him apart after one of the tournaments. The security of the sports complex saved from trouble.
Relocation to New Zealand
In 2007, Ignashov Alexey moved to New Zealand. In his own words, the choice for this country fell not by chance. Firstly, in this state he was well known, there is an ideal base for training, and secondly, his native land was far away, and nothing distracted him from work. Over time, the athlete made friends, including the world famous boxer David Tua, rugby player John Lomu and many others. In addition, New Zealand is geographically close to Japan and America, which is very convenient for a professional Thai boxer.
About religion
Ignashov is an Orthodox Christian. As he himself claims, he did not immediately come to religion. Favorite church in Minsk is the Nativity of Christ Church. At one time he also visited Mount Athos, and shortly before Easter. There he crossed paths with the astronauts, who, while in space, saw a ray of fire emanating from Athos, and therefore decided to personally visit this holy mountain.
Nickname
Ignashov received his military nickname due to the presence of a patch on his underpants in the form of a red scorpion. Also, in many ways, the Belarusian got this nickname also because he knocked out his opponents with one blow, that is, the fighters fell as victims of a scorpion, dying from his sting.
Alexey gained much fame due to his powerful knees, which he actively used to win in battles with such giants as Nicholas Pettas and Carter Williams. Ignashov was considered one of the most talented kickboxers on the planet. Until May 2016, he was the only person who managed to knock out Sammy Schilt. However, at the same time, Belarus is a very unstable fighter who occasionally showed a very faded, lethargic, apathetic boxing. A vivid example of this is his duel with Peter Arts in the 2003 K-1 quarterfinal.
In the period 2009-2010, Alexey fought again with Schilt and Badr Hari and, unfortunately, lost to both, although he confidently defeated them a few years before. But in any case, Ignashov is a living legend of the world kickboxing, and fighting with him in the same ring is a great honor for most young kickboxers.