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Kickboxing gyms in and around Alexandria are unofficially throwing down

By James Cullum
1/12

Like a scene from Cobra Kai, local martial artists are getting it on.

On Saturday (Nov. 9), fighters from a number of local martial arts gyms participated in an informal smoker’s kickboxing tournament at Atlas Muay Thai (6301A Richmond Highway).

More than 100 people crowded into the small gym to witness a dozen unofficial fights. For many of the fighters it was their first experience in the ring against a stranger.

Jacob Arrowsmith, 21, of Lotus Thai Boxing in Arlington, knocked out his opponent.

“This is my first fight,” Arrowsmith said. “I’ve been training for seven months now, and I want to take it as far as I possibly can.”

Participating clubs included Atlas Muay Thai, Capital MMA Alexandria, Capital MMA Takoma, Lotus Thai Boxing, King Khong MMA, T.A.G. Muay Thai, S.T.B. Training Center and Little Giant Muay Thai.

The youngest fighters were five years old and weighed 55 pounds.

The fights with schools in D.C, Maryland and Virginia are organized by Amine Ballafrik, owner of Atlas Muay Thai in Old Town. He’s also the former two-time world Muay Thai champ.

“We bring small schools together before fighters go on to amateur fights,” Ballafrikh said. “We try to get them ready to be in the ring, with people in the crowd screaming at them.”

The next tournament will be held in January.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.