January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Bowen: I don't fear my opponent
Bowen is more used to the traditional 'point sparring' of Kung Fu competition.
But the 20-year-old will put his skills to the ultimate test on Saturday night when he steps into the ring for his first San Shou bout.
The growing international sport accommodates all fighting styles but victory is less about posing for the judges and more about putting your opponent on the mat.
"I feel like it's in my own hands," said Bowen, who works at the Government Department of Statistics.
"Winning or losing is down to me. I don't have any fears about my opponent. I feel if I get out there and dominate from the start I can definitely win.
"This is my first experience of Bermuda fight nights, my record right now is zero and zero.
"I've performed in front of crowds before so that shouldn't get to me. I'm psyched and ready to go."
Bowen, who has been training in Shaolin Kung Fu all his life, said he'd been doing more boxing work to adapt to san shou.
"I've been working at Forty Rego's gym, running on the beach on Sundays, training very hard, working on taking the punches.
"We fight full contact all the time in training so taking a punch ain't nothing new to me."
Bowen said he'd been attracted to San Shou by the fact that it gave him a chance to compete on a bigger stage.
"There's more competitions. It's a whole lot harder and I like to challenge myself.
"It's a growing sport worldwide. I'm really excited right now. I can't wait till Saturday."
Fight Fest 2 - the sequel to the first ever Bermuda San Shou event held at Number One Shed two years ago - features an eight bout card (see profiles below) pitting Bermuda's best against fighters from the States.
The night will also feature demos from the Wing Lam Kung Fu School and music from Bermuda Tri reggae/hip-hop band. Tickets, priced $40, are available at Pro Shop, Peoples, Causeway Shell and Steel City Clothing in Somerset.
There will also be a related Ageless Living Seminar on Saturday morning with Sifus Mike Barry and Gary Utterback at the Opportunity Workshop on the corner of Roberts Avenue and Palmetto Road. For more information call Oscar Lightbourne on 532 2320.[[In-content Ad]]
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