Tuesday 23 June 2009

Pick of the Pix Series, Trotter 2007 Sparring - The Haka


Specs: 1/200s, 130.0 mm, f/5.0, ISO: 1250

The lead up and interest in Mark Trotter's 2007 World Champs match against the then current World Cup champion Maxime Bujold from Canada in round one of the micro-weight division was awesome. See yesterday's article for Mark's preparation.

As the match started the NZ team males performed a Haka right at the side of the ring. It is traditionally reserved for key sparring finals, but the interest and support for this match was such that they performed it for Mark.

Words can't explain the impact and feeling of experiencing the Haka like this, but I hope the photo above can. Notice Luke's chest where he's clawed his chest during the performance. Amazing, awesome, powerful, scary, thrilling, loud, spiritual.

It pumped Mark and the rest of us.