Muay Thai, aka Thai Boxing, is Thailand's national sport, consisting of full-contact striking martial arts, also known as "Art of Eight Limbs" [fists 2; elbows 2; knees 2; and shins/feet for kicks as 2].
The drama happened on Friday at the weigh-in.
The drama happened on Friday at the weigh-in.
Gordon draped an Israeli flag over his shoulders as he faced off with Konyuncu. The two traded the usual trash talk threats that come with big fights. Then the Turk, Konyuncu lunged at Gordon's neck. Both guys got restrained fast, but they kept trying to break loose.
Even with people holding them back, Konyuncu still managed to land a kick to Gordon's midsection before they finally got separated. Video of the whole thing blew up on social media.
The actual fight however, told a different story.
The actual fight however, told a different story.
First round was even. Nobody pulled ahead. In round two, Konyuncu hit Gordon with an uppercut, but Gordon fired back with a solid head shot that dropped him. When they got pulled apart, Konyuncu was bleeding heavily from a serious boo-boo on the side of his head. The judges called it right there and awarded the victory to Gordon.
Israel's Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar (Likud) posted on X late Saturday night: "Another brilliant victory for our Israeli fighter." And an embarrassing loss for a Turkish Muslim loser.
Gordon celebrated with the Israeli flag, and it's another proud moment for Israeli combat sports. Israel has turned out strong athletes in these disciplines for decades, like judokas Yael Arad and Oren Smadja who brought home Israel's first Olympic medals (silver and bronze) at the 1992 Summer Games.
Israel's Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar (Likud) posted on X late Saturday night: "Another brilliant victory for our Israeli fighter." And an embarrassing loss for a Turkish Muslim loser.
Gordon celebrated with the Israeli flag, and it's another proud moment for Israeli combat sports. Israel has turned out strong athletes in these disciplines for decades, like judokas Yael Arad and Oren Smadja who brought home Israel's first Olympic medals (silver and bronze) at the 1992 Summer Games.
More judo medals have followed, and Israel sent top Muay Thai fighters like world champions Sarah Abraham and Nili Block to major competitions.
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Just last November, the Israeli kickboxing team crushed it at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi, coming back with 7 medals from an event with about 2,000 athletes from around 85 countries.
Mazel tov to Ahavat Hashem Gordon on the big win. Another one for the good guys.
If you enjoy Brain Flushings and would like to subscribe or Buy Me a Coffee, or even check out the sponsors on this page, I would appreciate it, as it supports my work and my coffee drinking habit. No pressure and subscribing is free. So is checking out the advertisers on the blog.
Just last November, the Israeli kickboxing team crushed it at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi, coming back with 7 medals from an event with about 2,000 athletes from around 85 countries.
Mazel tov to Ahavat Hashem Gordon on the big win. Another one for the good guys.