K-1 WORLD MAX 2024: The Road to the Finals
The Draw for K-1 WORLD MAX 2024 Final Tournament is Complete!
Excitement built as the draw for the K-1 WORLD MAX 2024 -70kg Final Tournament took place in Tokyo, laying out the path to victory for the elite competitors.
The countdown to the K-1 WORLD MAX 2024 -70kg Final Tournament has begun, with the official draw taking place on March 21st in Tokyo. The event determined the matchups for the finals set to take place July 7th at Tokyo’s National Yoyogi Stadium, Second Gymnasium. The drawing ceremony saw the revival of the much-loved tradition from previous K-1 MAX World Tournaments, where fighters picked numbered balls to decide their bracket placements. This method adds an element of both strategy and anticipation, as fighters’ performance in the ring the day before influenced the order in which they drew.
All of the fighters who emerged victorious from the previous night, Dengue Silva, Darryl Verdonk, Viktor Akimov, Ouyan Feng, Zhora Akopyan, Kacper Muszyński, and Romano Bakboord, all took part in the draw. The Welterweight Champion, Ouyan Feng, drew the first pick, and, without hesitation chose the A slot, aiming for a strategic advantage in the tournament’s early stages. Following suit, Akimov who drew the second ball, selected the E slot for the third match, with Bakboord immediately choose the F slot, thus deciding the first quarterfinal matchup: Akimov vs. Bakboord.
As the draw progressed, Silva secured the C slot, to place him in the second match, and Muszyński took the G slot for the fourth. Verdonk decided on the D slot, leading to a showdown with Silva, and Akopyan’s selection of the H slot finalized the matchup against Muszyński. The remaining B slot was reserved for a wildcard entrant, who will face Ouyang Feng in the opening bout.
The quarterfinal matchups for the eagerly awaited tournament are as follows:
- Ouyan Feng vs. Wildcard (?)
- Dengue Silva vs. Darryl Verdonk
- Viktor Akimov vs. Romano Bakboord
- Kacper Muszyński vs. Zhora Akopyan
Anticipation ran high as to who would fill the wildcard slot, with K-1 officials promising a competitor who will meet fans’ high expectations. Fighters shared their reactions to the draw, with Ouyan Feng expressing gratitude and determination, Silva reflecting on his successful showcase, and Verdonk, Akimov, Bakboord, and Muszyński discussing their strategies and expectations for the quarterfinals.
With all but one of the final tournament matchups now set, the K-1 WORLD MAX 2024 -70kg World Championship Tournament promises to be a night of thrilling clashes and unforgettable moments as the world’s best kickboxers vie for the coveted title.
The competition can be viewed below. Check it out!