The S-Cup is the Shootboxing World Cup, a world tournament held once every 2 years. It is being held since 1995, as a tournament to decide who really is the strongest standing fighter, under the Shootboxing rules recognizing punches, kicks and throws. Until now, Hiromu Yoshitaka, Rayen Simson, Andy Souwer, Kenichi Ogata have won the Champion’s title.

The First SHOOT BOXING WORLD TOURNAMENT　S-cup‘95

The first S-cup was held at the First Stadium in the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. The tournament attracted a great deal of attention, as it was the first middle-weight world tournament ever featuring several famous champions, including the then Japanese ace of Shootboxing Hiromu Yoshitaka, his rival Rayen Simson—who would later be nicked ‘the Emperor’, and the rampaging Muay Thai Champion Bovi Chorwaikan from UWF International. Yoshitaka defeated Ronny Lewis in the finals,  becoming the first S-cup Champion ever.

 

 

The Second SHOOT BOXING WORLD TOURNAMENT　S-cup‘97

The first round of the second event was held in the Yoyogi Gymnasium, with the finals being held at the Ariake Coliseum. Hiromu Yoshitaka participated as defending champion. In the first fight, he beat the Muay Thai champion Reinbow. In the second fight, he fought Rayen Simson, facing him for the third time in his career. The fight went on to an extra round, with eventually Simson winning the match with a narrow margin. Using the energy gained through this victory, he won the entire tournament, becoming the second Champion. Besides the ‘Dutch Emperor’ Rayen Simson, the ‘World’s Strongest Muay Thai Killer’ Denny Bill, Hassan Kasrioi, WPKL Champion Mohamed Owari and other top fighters participated in the tournament, attracting a great deal of attention from abroad.

 


The Third SHOOT BOXING WORLD TOURNAMENT　S-cup2002

The third event was held in the Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium, featuring the new Dutch powerhouse Andy Souwer, who performed a shocking Japanese debut. He won the first fight by KO through a flashing combination. In the second fight, he fought with ‘Killer Low’ Hiroyuki Doi. Doi, who got injured in his first fight, was not able to do his signature low kicks. With a fast left body shot, Andy Souwer won this fight as well. Although Souwer had some difficulty with John Igo’s expert throws, he won the fight after an extra round, becoming the third S-cup Champion. It is from this tournament that Andy Souwer’s legend would start.

 


The Fourth SHOOT BOXING WORLD TOURNAMENT　S-cup2004

The fourth event was again held the Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium. With the defending Champion Andy Souwer, the established ace Kenichi Ogata, K-1 MAX Champion Albert Kraus, UFC Champion Jens Pulver, Muay Thai Champion Changpuek, Super League Champion Ole Laursen and several others, this event gathered the best champions of various fields. A lot was expected from Ogata, however, he was defeated in the first fight, getting his forehead lacerated by a knee kick from the Brazilian Champion Katel Kubis. Contrary to that, Andy Souwer showed his overwhelming power. After knocking out Ole Laursen through a jumping knee kick and fast repeated blows, Souwer defeated Changpuek in the second fight. In the final fight, Souwer fought Hiroki Shishido, who came the entire way through to the finals starting as a reserve fighter. Souwer won by KO, taking the champion title for the second time. This event would also mark the beginning of the rise of the ‘ascending dragon’ Shishido.

 


The Fifth SHOOT BOXING WORLD TOURNAMENT　S-cup2006

The fifth event was held in the Ryogoku Kokugikan (Also known as the Sumo Hall). The first fight was between Shootboxing vs. other martial arts. Andy Souwer—who was aiming for his third champion title, Kenichi Ogata—wanting revenge, the Australian champion Daniel Dawson, and the Japanese representative Hiroki Shishido, represented Shootboxing. The opposite side featured K-1 and boxing champion Virgil Kalakoda, Ray Sefo’s favorite disciple Jordan Tai, MMA Champion Damacio Page, and Brazilian Champion Marfio Canoletti. After the first fight, all 4 Shootboxers remained. The second fight featured Souwer vs. Dawson and Ogata vs. Shishido. It were Souwer and Ogata who advanced to the finals. The final was a very fierce striking fight, though Ogata managed to knock down Souwer with a right straight punch, becoming the fifth S-cup Champion.