The Return of Badr Hari: A Look at the K-1 World Grand Prix Finals 2009

Tuesday, 10 May 2011 07:15

Written by Dave Walsh

Imagine having a chance to fulfill what many have called your destiny, and to do so in dominant fashion. The only thing in your path is an obstacle that you were able to easily overcome mere months before, imagine you are Badr Hari in the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009. In 2008 the insanity, the rage that came over Badr Hari cost him a chance to actually fight and possibly win the K-1 World Grand Prix when Remy Bonjasky just wouldn't go down or stop throwing those flying kicks. In 2009 Badr Hari did everything right; he kept his cool, he destroyed everything that lay in his path, he put down old rivalries, avenged past losses and showed the world that he can be a mature, composed fighter.

Then imagine stepping into the ring to face Semmy Schilt for a second time in the same year, a Semmy Schilt who within the confines of fighting in one night tournaments was just about unstoppable. Badr went inkto the fight with two first round knockouts under his belt for the night, as did Semmy Schilt. One man was going to emerge with a third first round knockout and the most prestigious title in Heavyweight kickboxing, and in the mind of Badr Hari, it had to be him.

It wasn't Badr Hari's night, and the look on his face after the fight said it all; that he had failed. That once again, he got to the top of the mountain, and just when he was about to plant that flag and declare victory it was snatched from him. That photograph was captured by Daniel Herbertson for us at the time, and a picture says a thousand words.

Badr Hari returns from a one year layoff on May 14th for It's Showtime in Lyon, where he will fight Gregory Tony. We will continue to run down Badr Hari's journey that led to his one year hiatus from the world of kickboxing and why fans are excited about his return.

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