K-1 is a combat sport that blends boxing with fighting skills from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, Savate, San shou, and Kickboxing. Currently, the Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG) of Japan heads and promotes the K-1 organization.
The sport of K-1 was initiated by Kazuyoshi Ishii, who is a former Kyokushin karate expert. In 1980, Kazuyoshi Ishii formed his own organization named ‘Seido-kaikan karate’. Several events were organized between Seido-kaikan and other martial arts organizations. Initially, the rules of the matches were based on the Kyokushin Knockdown karate rules. Gradually, the rules closely resembled the rules ok kickboxing. In 1993, Kazuyoshi Ishii founded the K-1 organization, which functions solely as a kickboxing organization. K-1 works in close association with Seido-kaikan, but it is an independent organization.
There are six K-1 World Grand Prix tournaments and four main K-1 MAX events that are organized every year. The winners of these tournaments and events qualify for the K-1 MAX WGP Final Eliminations, which is held in Osaka Dome, Japan. From there, eight fighters are selected to contend in the K-1 World GP Finals, which is held in Tokyo Dome, Japan.
The prime objective of K-1 is to emerge victorious either by knockout, or by a split or unanimous decision. Fights in K-1 involve kicks o the legs, head or midsection and classic boxing punches. K-1 fights are definitely more compelling and active as compared to boxing. K-1 fighters always have to be on the move, counterattacking constantly; as the classic defensive boxing stance proves futile against kicks.
Initially, K-1 was a single tournament held only in Japan. The fighters, competing in the tournament, participated on invitation. But now, K-1 has spread across the globe. It has also been divided into preliminary Grand Prixs, Fighting Networks and Qualifiers. Preliminaries are organized in countries and they compose of tournaments. The winners of the tournaments qualify to the regional GPs. With the exception of Africa and Antarctica, 6 regional GPs are organized on each continent. The winners from the different continents compete against each other in the Final Elimination.
16 fighters compete in the final elimination round. The participants fight for the final eight places of the Finals. The line-up consists of 6 new GP winners, 8 finalists from the previous year's Final, and 2 fighters selected by the K-1 organization.
