Competition between China's King of San Da athletes and professional Muay Thai fighers from Thailand continues with the announcement that since the December 2001 matches which were held in Thailand, the series is in it's "championship round". We're not sure what that means, but given that Muay Thai had won both events in Thailand and San Da had just won in Macau this May, tensions were high. Thailand could "pull ahead" or China could "tie up" the series at the September 7, 2002 event in Guangdong, China
The Chinese Wushu Association issued a press release stating that the Chinese team had absorbed important lessons from their losses in Thailand. In view of Muay Thai's powerful techniques and relentless style, the Chinese team would from now on choose its strongest fighters to face the challenge.
Matches were held in 56, 60, 65, 70, 75 and 80 kg divisions for male athletes and there was a female match set at 60 kg. Traditionally, the female match has not been considered "important" so Thailand fielded a last minute replacement, a woman from Canada whom we didn't get much information on? The Chinese team won 6 to 1 in the strongest showing yet.
60 kg - China wins again, in an easy match scored 5 rounds to none for China.
The Thailand team looked rather upset after losing the first two matches. Clearly, they saw a need to adjust their strategy. Beginning in the third match, the Thailand team was a little less agressive. They walked into the throws less and concentrated more on counter attacks. The first result of this change in strategy was positive. At 65 Kg Thailand secured a powerful victory, outscoing China 5 rounds to none.
After this event, the Thailand team wanted to state publicly that they believed the refereeing and judging at this event was fair. They also stated that they are still surprised at how hard some of the Chinese fight.
70 kg - China's most experienced San Da fighter is a 29 year old veteran of the national competition circuit. The match is very close but his experience allows him to adjust and secure a 3 round to 2 round victory for China.
Female 60 kg - Wang Zhan Li repeatedly utilizes quickly throws to 5 to 0 victory.
75 kg - This is a very tense match. The judges score the first round even. Thailand looks confident and the Chinese coaches look concerned. However, in the second round China scores a huge cross to the face of the Muay Thai fighter. The match turns at this point. After the match, it is discovered that the cross fractured a bone beneath the eye of the Muay Thai fighter.
80 kg - The final match is not as tense for the Chinese team as they know they will finish with a team victory but Thailand continues to pressure. This match is a close victory for China, 3 round to 2 rounds
The publishing of the round by round scoring is strong evidence that this particular event was judged pretty fairly despite some criticism of past events. The Thailand team seemed not pleased to lose but not aggravated that they had been cheated in any way. They stated the contrary. Thailand team wanted to state publicly that they believed the refereeing and judging at this event was fair. They also stated that they are still surprised at how hard some of the Chinese fight.
The results of the entire series so far has been;
September 7, 2002
China 6/Thailand 1
May 4, 2002
China 6/Thailand 1
December 10 ,2001
Thailand 5/China 2
December 5, 2001
Thailand 4/China 1
September 23, 2001
China 5/Thailand 2
September 8, 2001
China 4/Thailand 3