BellyPunch Contest - Explanation and Pre Contest - English
by Micha



Horray! I made it. Hi, I am Lindsay and I am officially invited to the 5th
BellyPunch Contest in Miami. I am so happy. Incredible, that myself now also
belongs to the elite.

What the BellyPunch Contest is? Well, there are the 128 best women and 320
best men of the USA in Belly Punching. The BellyPunch Contest is held during
the extreme sport's week in Miami. How the name Extreme it already says, so
also the BellyPunch Contest is just extreme. A mixture of persistence,
concentration and hardness. Hardness, particularly in the stomach. The method
is simple. 2 women fight each other and attempt to hit the other Woman so hard
in the stomach, until she gives up. Why one does that? It's fun, madness and
egoism. It is simple a demonstration of hardness that one hides in the
stomach. This Contest belongs to the Fun Sports, but it is really not Fun, if
one gets strokes or steps into the stomach.

Sounds now extremely, but it is only partially extreme. There are also rules,
which one must pay attention to. A BellyPunch Match is nearly the same like a
box fight. Both women will fight in a box ring with 4 corners. Then there are
rounds. Like nearly the same as in a box fight the women have 10 rounds with
each 2 minutes. The pauses between the rounds are only 30 seconds long. Only
the first round is different. In a box fight, you simply start the match
immediately from the first round. In a BellyPunch Match, the first round is
used for a so-called Stomach Check Up. The first round is only 1 minute long.
In the first round, every woman can beat, by turns, the other one into the
stomach. Only the naked punch is allowed in this round. One can select
oneself, where one will strike into the opponent's stomach. One can also
choose how hard she wanna hit. During the whole fight, arm and leg strokes to
the opponents stomach are allowed. This will include punches with the fist,
ellbow and knee punches and also kicks with the feets. Only important is, that
all punches or steps will do bare naked. One is not allowed to use any gloves,
elbow and knee schooners or shoes. Also the field, in where I am allowed to
hit the other woman in the stomach, is marked. It is valid from the waist, so
approx. 1-2 inch below the navel until up to the ribs. The chest rib cage
forms the upper reaching area field. Punches, far below the navel, in the
lower stomach, are not allowed. This is important, because mainly the women,
can be injured there then very quickly. Also beating onto the ribs is
absolutely not allowed. At both, only the intentional attempt, is regarded as
a disqualification. If one will do a stroke with the elbow or knee in the
stomach of the opponent, it can happen, that this stroke will go over the
delimitation field. That is allowed, as long as there is no intention behind
that.

So hard and incredible that all sounds, the target of the match is not, to hit
the opponents stomach in a so hard way, that it bleeds or is hurt. One does
that also not in a box fight. It is simply, that one is beating the other
woman so effectfully, that she mainly will have pain and she has to give up. A
match can be finished only by giving up. Either the opponent herself gives up,
if she can not take anything anymore, or her coach. As also during a box
match, the coach or the person, which will be stand in the opponents corner,
can fling the white flag, as sign, that her athlete can not more. Also a
referee is used in the match. That one pays exactly attention, that both woman
will keep the rules of the BellyPunch Match. And also the referee can decide
whether the opponent can still continue or not. If he will also recognize,
that a woman has enough, he can also descide. So, back to the other rules.

Therefore, in the first round it is only a checking. One can recognize through
that round, where the opponent feels more or less, from the impact of a fist
or kick. Mainly in the 2nd round, the main fight will begin. From there,
nothing more is checked up, one simply will start the best of punchs or kicks.
Now, everything is allowed, as long as one keep within the rules. One is
allowed to use the full ring. One can also use the ring ropes. For example, to
enthrall the opponent so, that she can not defend herself. Well, the highest
number of rounds will be then by 10. Will, within this 10 rounds, no women
give up, a jury will descide about victory or loss, like the same as in a box
fight. There are 3 referees. They will watch very exactly, who did the most
and better hits.

Well, let me now explain the way through a BellyPunch Contest. There will be 4
women weight classes. In every weight class, there are 8 groups with each 4
women. In every group, every woman fights the other ones, has therefore in the
group already 3 matches. Only the first of every group comes into the quarter
final. From there on then, you will fight in the K.O. way. Who wins the match
will go to the half final and then to the main final, or a fight for the 3rd
place. In the final, you have the rule "Best of 3". That means, who wins 2
matches, will win the contest. Well, maybe everything sounds simply, but I
will explain shortly once more the rules:

1. Only giving up counts. The woman can give up herself. The coach flings the
white flag into the ring or the referee decides.

2. The women fights highest 10 rounds. The first round is one minute long and
for a check up. From the 2nd round on, each round is 2 minutes long.

3. Did no women give up within the 10 rounds, the 3 referees decide in the
jury.

4. From the 2nd round on, all kinds of strokes and steps are allowed. Also the
ring ropes can be useed. Only the bare hand or foot may be used, no gloves,
shooners or shoes.

5. The target area for strokes and steps is just a little behind the
bellynavel up to chest rib cage. All other fields are taboo and lead to the
disqualification.

That all sounds very hard, but listen, it is in the meantime, the 5th
BellyPunch contest and in the last 4, it never resulted in greater injuries.
Well, of course, one feels pains and it hurts powerfully. But main target is,
to hit the opponent so hard and long, that she will give up and not to hurt
her. Will a match get too hard, for example, if a woman bleed or puke, the
referee aborts the match, so to speak, he will descide the give up for the
victim. And on the other hand one must also say, if one descides to attempt at
this contest, you know, what you can expect there. You have to know, how much
you can take or must take. I have seen the last 2 contests live. The women,
that I saw there, more her stomachs and matches, those ones were world class.
They were all very well prepared. The main numbers of all fights went over the
complete 10 rounds. Very less gave up before, they all gave everything and
finally, the jury had to descide, who wins. In the backstage area, I often saw
then, how the women writhed with pains then, after a fight. But listen, no one
was never injured. It was simple only the pain, because of the strokes. The
competition is passed through, in 3 days. Therefore, one does not have a
longer break, in which the stomach can recover correctly.

How I came to that? Well, I do a few Japanese Combat Sports, in order to
remain fit. Then I saw once, how the women and men, beat themselves into the
stomach, during a regular group training session. That should be a practice,
to hardened the stomach. First, I was very much amazed, that also women just
did something like that, to their own stomachs. But it simply remained to a
regular training. During talks, one said then to me, that there will be also
championships in belly punching. Out of pure curiosity, I informed myself more
and more then and finally went to one contest to see that live. Although that
all looks very mad, I developed a big interest. It was just madly to watch,
that the women beat themselves there, in a very hard way and take the pains
into purchase. Only, in order to find out, what the own stomach can resist
then. Like I said before, just pure egoism. One wants to be the best, with the
hardest stomach. For that, one must train very hard and must also gain and
take very much pains. Again, I will say, you will get much pain, blue bruises
or red coloured stomachs, during the contest, but absolutely never injuries.
That is the number 1 rule, no injury.

As I watched this live contest then, I got the idea, to attempt also there.
That was then 11 months ago. I was amazed, how many women want that too. Well,
America is known for such crazy things. One simply can not enroll oneself
there, and is taken then. There are Pre Contests. At these contests, one must
show then, how good the own stomach is. To show this, I had to do crunches,
how much I can do, tidily and slowly taken out and in one row. So many, until
my stomach can not do anymore. Also some strength related experiments were
done. For example, that a 200 lbs heavy man positions himself onto the
stomach. You must flex the stomach then for so long and hold the weight of the
man, how long you can. Another test will be done then with a separately
developed machine. For that, one stands uprightly before this machine. Either,
one is then standing leaned against at a wall or somebody graspes one. The
machine is so built up, that she has a stroke arm, which punchs only at the
stomach middle. Then the strength, with which this arm beats in my stomach,
will be increase step by step. All values are noted down and the best woman
will be invited then. In this case, everything is a surprise. Well, I know
indeed my values, but not those of the other women. I can not compare my
results in comparison with other.

My Pre Contest was just 3 weeks ago. I have to go to a Pre Contest in my
county. When I was there then, it was really crazy. The other women who were
there. All with deep 6-pack, like mine too. Like at a body-building contest,
only that one presents there then the whole body. For me, it was a very new
experience, to be under such women with the same interest. First, I was
weighted, so that one knew, in which weight class, I would line up. I was in
weight class 2 of 4. 1 is up to 120 lbs, class 2 up to 140 lbs, class 3 up to
165 lbs and class 4 anything over 165 lbs. At the Pre Contest, the referees
will directly also pay attention to the look of ones stomach. Only women are
authorized, at which stomach one can see an ABS. Not fat bellies, where woman
think, they can take more than trained ones. The judges want also, that the
crowded people get something special for their eyes. I was therefore in class
2 with my 130 lbs.

Next, a view test was done then. Like a posing round, I had to flex and relax
my stomach then. One front view and 2 side views. For that round, the judges
gave then 1-10 points. 1, the least one, if the stomach had indeed a 6-pack,
but is not optically good looking and 10 points, for the completely perfect
stomach. I received a 8. That already surprised me. I never had expected, to
get such a high result. I was very proud about my stomach then. I tried then
also, to ask, how much points other women had gotten. Particularly those
women, from which I thought, that their stomach looks much better than mine.
But an exchange was not allowed. The attempted women are not allowed to talk
about any results.

As next test then, I had to do Crunches. I laid onto the ground, my legs were
bent and a man held them firmly. Then I had to do Crunches, without break, in
one row. Crunches, at which I had to cross my arms behind the head. The final
position should be looked then so, that I touch my legs shortly with my
elbows. Ok, those are some Crunches of the little harder sort. There was not
any time limit. One does so many, how much the stomach muscles can. There my
result was then 78 pieces. And who once did so many without a break, can
imagine, how hard the stomach is after that and how the stomach feels then. If
you breathe then, you can not see your stomach skin moving, because everything
is so hard, from the exercise before.

I thought then, that I get a longer break, to recover. But that was only a
wish. Ok, well, the Pre Contest was doing only at one day and many women were
there. Only a small time later, it became then also logically conscious to me,
that the next test had to occur directly after doing those crunches. The
stomach had become so hard through the Crunches, that one could test now
better the resistance of my stomach. After the Crunches, I had only a brief
minute, before it kept on working. Then the test, of where the man stood on my
stomach came. I laid low onto the ground, my back was supported in this case
so, that it could not be hurt. When I was ready then, the man with shoes,
steped on my stomach middle. I had to strain now my ABS for so long, how I
can. During that, the time was measured. The clock was stopped then, in the
moment, if the man sinks too deeply into my stomach, so speaked, when I can
not hold the fle anymore. I still know, how hard that was. It was something
very new for me, something very crazy for me. And to held the tension with 200
lbs on it, is damned madness. Ok, I allready knew at the Pre Contest, which
tests will be done there, but I never could train something like this before
so correctly. I had asked my girlfriend, to stand on my stomach, but she
weighed only 115 lbs. 200 lbs is therefore much more heavier. So, at this test
now, I had to interrupt immediately during the first attempt. The jury
approved that, because they know, that this test was so new, for many of those
women. During the 2nd attempt then, I had to give everything. The clock was
stopped then after 1:36 minute. It was really pitiful, that one did not know
the results of the other women. Specially at this test and the following one,
I was so concious to know the results of the other ones..

So, after this test, I had then a longer break. This time, it surprised me,
that I got such a long break. It was only one test, with the machine, rest.
Through the Crunches, my stomach had hardened up so much and with the
resistance test also much more. In total, 14 minutes went by, with almost
always full effort and flex. Why does one not do the last test directly now?
When I asked, one said to me then, they want to test the stomach in full relax
mode, so looked, as nothing had happened before, in order to get better
results then. I was not allowed, to train during the break, or to prepare my
stomach on another way, after that long relaxation, so that the ABS would be
very hard for the last test. In this case, every woman was observed also by
some referees. None was allowed to provide herself, to get an advantage. When
I participate then, in a few weeks, at the main contest, then I may prepare
myself before every match optionally, but not at this Pre Contest.

Well, I had then a break of just 2 hours. After that, I had to go into a room.
There was a wall, with a rail, which one could move. A thick back cushion was
on the rail. Depending, on whether how tall a woman was, the rail was shifted
towards above or below then so, so that the back was optimally upholstered. I
was then very much surprised and glad, with how much safety this Pre Contest
was made. But the security always stood at highest place. Because not only the
stomach is struck during the Belly Punching in a very hard way, also the back
of the body. But at all tests, the back was 100% protected. At this very
special and hard test then, it was very important, that the back was 100%
protected. So, I had to position myself therefore next to the wall, very
straight. Then the back cushion was placed so, that it fits my whole back and
I stood correctly. When I just stood then, I was told to stretch up my arms so
far, until my whole body was fully stretched. Now the machine was shifted
before my stomach. The stroke arm of the machine was in front built like a
human hand, like a fist. The arm was at a metal tube, which was in a plunger.
With the help of pressure, which was pressed into the plunger, the tester
could determine now, with which strength the arm fires from the plungers and
hits my stomach middle. With formulas, they calculate then, with how much
pounds, the fist finally has hit my stomach. How that was calculate, was and
is still nowadays to complicated for me and I can and do not want to tell it
here. Before every attempt, I was told, with how much pounds, the next stroke
would punch me. During the stroke, 2 judges will observe my reaction. If I
would take the stroke like nothing or if I bend over. According to my
reaction, they could define then, with how much pressure they would do the
next punch. I was tested for so long, until I want to give up or a neutral
referee takes this decision away from me.

Before the first stroke then, they tried out the machine 3-times, with very
less strength pressure. They wanted to be sure, that the punch of the machine
hits the correct area in my stomach. Then the first attempt came. They said to
me, the stroke would be as hard, like someone would hit my stomach with a
strength of 55 lbs. I could not do something with this info. A strength of 55
lbs, what does this supposed to be? But who matters, immediately, I would feel
or not feel it in my stomach. Then the command came, to flex my stomach, so
hard I could. I did this, but it was very much heavier to flex the stomach, if
the body was fully stretched. Then I saw the stroke arm punching my stomach.
One can not measure it in time, how fast the arm was pressed out the plunger.
I had flexed my stomach fully, but noticed only a very little impact from the
stroke. Also my body reaction was like nothing. One could only see, that the
punch pushed in my skin, a little. Then I was asked, what I felt. I said then,
that I only saw the punch but not more. Meanwhile, I saw how the 2 judges made
notices. Then the next attempt followed. They went up with 44 lbs more of
pressure strength. In total, it was then a strength of 99 lbs. Again, I had to
fully stretch, flex my stomach and to wait, if the punch will hit me stronger.

I noticed the 99 lbs already better. Before I forget, I must say, that this
entire test, was filmed with a cam. Through the punch, my upper body bend
forwards a little, but not much. I did not notice a big pressure or pain at
all. I felt, that the fist hit me better and also that the stomach skin was
pushed in some more deeper, but it did not hurt. In the rep of the video
picture, I could see then, how the punch struck in my stomach. Looked very
funnily, how the stomach middle was pushed in so deep and then my upper body
bend forward. Then I was again asked, how I had experienced the strike myself
and how much I myselg could imagine to take. I meant then, that the 99 lbs, in
comparison with the previous 55 lbs, were very much more heavier. That I also
felt this punch more. I still remember now, how the judges and tester
discussed then, with how much they would try the next attempt. Between, I
asked, if 99 lbs were a good result and how I could compare these 99 lbs with
a punch of a real woman fist. They answered, that because of competition
rules, they could not tell me that, during the last test. I could inform
myself as soon as the test were over. One of the judges said then to me, they
would then made further steps with 11 lbs. In order to accelerate everything,
they would not ask me after my own opinion, of how I felt at the punch. They
would still observe my reaction and decide then immediately. But I should not
worry, they would do that with all women. So, because I do not want to tell
about every punch, I can tell you, that they did 5 more attempts. Each attempt
they got higher with 11 lbs more of strength pressure. So, at least, I had to
give up, after they punched me with 154 lbs. But if you think, this all in all
55 lbs more, than after attempt 2, were only felt like 55 lbs more, than you
are very stupid thinking. After the last punch, it did not felt like they
pressed 55 lbs more strength into the plunge, no no, it felt like 550 lbs. It
was madness, an unbelievable hard punch.

After the test, when I was then allowed to ask, if 154 lbs were very much or a
normal result, they said then to me, that this result is one of the upper
ones. There would not many women out there, which would resist more. When I
asked, how much a real woman fist could punch in pounds, they could give me
only estimated values. That would be just very much different, from woman to
woman, but so between 120 –185 lbs would be possible. In this case, one must
say, that a punch with near the 185 lbs is only possible at a single stroke.
Only with a lot of swing and a lot of strength in the arms. A punching series
is possible with a strength between 110 – 143 lbs, depending on how strongly
the arm from the opponent is. But one should not underestimate a kick. That
one could give up far more than 185 lbs of pressure in the stomach. I was glad
that they could inform me so exactly.

Because, that so many other women also had this question, we gave ourselves
also a tip. As preparation for the championship, we just need someone who is
far strong enough, to give us such heavy kicks. Best would be a man. Other
women also meant, if one had to train alone, one should try punching with a
hammer. There were so many tips, how one can improve, alone or with a
coach/partner, the hardness of the stomach, much more. Particularly, also the
persistence is very important, because such a match can go over 10 rounds.

Time ago, at the Pre Contest, I had also seen all other competitors. Because I
got now the invitation for the BellyPunch Contest, must that mean then, that I
was the best of all of them. I still can not imagine that. Ok, my achievement
at the Pre Contest was really much better, than I ever had dreamed. But
nevertheless, the ABS of some other women there, looked much harder to me, as
myself. Does not mean, that I underestimate my stomach. If I think back, how I
trained my stomach in the last years and how hardenen my stomach gets within
this time, then I could imagine today, that I can keep up with some of the
other best women. Otherwise, I never had gone to this Pre Contest. But to be
the best or only to keep up with some other women is a massive difference.

Far before that Pre Contest, i allready tested my stomach very hard. I asked
boys and also girls to punch me, with all strength they have. OK, first, all
were natural shocked, that I demand something like that, but in the end, they
did it. The best thing was to train with the boys in my combat sport group.
There, Belly Punching already belonged to the regular training. When I had
then the first training again there, after the Pre Contest descision, I had
told the boys about that. I had asked those ones then, to punch me in my
stomach with all of their best strength. Ok, sure, until today, I did not
know, if I really would go to the final contest. But all in all, the
experience of the Pre Contest was so damned good, that I wanted to know, how
hardenen my stomach can get. It is amazing to see today, how much stronger my
stomach still can get. Just remember this test, where a man stands quietly on
my stomach. Nowadays, I can hold the flex much longer than at the Pre Contest
and that with a man, who weights more than 220 lbs. Now I know, that I will be
at the finals. And now I still must intensify much more my training. Also, if
that means, that I will have often more pain, but those pain will make me even
stronger. Meanwhile, I know, that I can take this pain. I must take it,
otherwise, I would not have any chance at the championship. But I also must
pay attention, not wanting too much. I must not go up to the absolute pain,
otherwise my stomach is at his end, before the competition started.

So, now I am fully motivated. I will make me ready for the training. Seeing,
of how much harder, my stomach can still become?! Until the championship, I
have 6 weeks rest time now.