Red Deer martial artist Jenn Wiebe made a successful transition to a new martial arts discipline during the Fists of Fury VI card Saturday night in Medicine Hat.
Wiebe, 17, is a three-time karate provincial champion and a national silver medalist. On Saturday she ventured into the kickboxing ring for the first time and posted a unanimous decision win over Jamie Droeske, 27, of Medicine Hat.
“Jenn completely surprised me,” said Arashi-do Sensei Gary Vig. “She came out like a house on fire, hammered the girl with really stiff punches, pushed her into the corner and took it to her for about a minute. She outlanded her opponent quite significantly.”
The aggressive style is contrary to how Wiebe usually fights. In karate she usually fights as a counter puncher, capitalizing on her opponent’s mistakes.
“I think it was nerves, and the crowd kind of juiced me up,” said Wiebe. “I wanted to accumulate points and make her respect me fast.”
In the second round, Wiebe landed some high round kicks and axe kicks, and in the third round Wiebe staggered Droeske, with a stiff left high kick.”
Having her hand raised at the end of the bout was extremely special for Wiebe.
“It was amazing,” said the Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School Grade 12 student. “I dont even know how to explain it. There was this unbelievable physical rush.”
The Red Deer athlete received a little bit of motivation and inspiration prior to the fight when her opponent questioned Wiebe’s fight experience in the local Medicine Hat newspaper.
“It made me want to prove her wrong and show her that age has nothing to do with experience,” explained the Arashi-do black belt.
Vig was pleased with his student’s performance.
“She was tough, her cardio held up,” said the sensei. “She really showed a lot of heart. I was impressed, very, very impressed.”
Next up for Wiebe is the World Karate Council Nationals May 21-23 in Ottawa.
“It (this fight) will take the edge off my nerves at nationals,” said the Arashi-do martial artist. “I now know I can take anything they throw at me.”
In other action involving Red Deer kickboxers, Wolfgang Janssen lost by unanimous decision to Bruce Tran of Calgary, and Ramin Rezai also lost by unanimous decision to Derek Bowles of Medicine Hat.