Episodes
Warrior’s Quest
EP04: Mental Strength
48 min. | Bare Knuckle Boxing | England
In the modern era of martial arts an old fighting guild resurfaces on the main stage of combat. Duncan is taken in by local fighters, as they share their struggles and open up about how bare knuckle boxing helps them overcome their challenges outside of the pit.
Combat sports has a new player stepping into the lime light. Surpassing boxing, wrestling and even MMA, bare knuckle boxing is taking center stage as the fastest growing combat sports of the world. Originating in the early 1800’s, this brutal and illegal sport has experienced a new surge of popularity. Are we regressing into barbaric ways of entertainment or is there more to it? Local fighters share their mental struggles and how their fights help them challenge their problems and force them into a grueling training regime and progressing to obtaining their goals.
CREDITS: Alex Etherington, Tony Lafferty, Christian Roberts, Jim Freeman, Danielle Lee Ashfield, Ashley Williams, Adrian Shearan, Marcin Kosiak, Peter Hayes, Tony Barratt, Kamil Sokowlowski, Brian Morrow, Stephanie Dy, Steven Hurrell, Bare Knucke Boxing (BYB), Spartan Bareknuckle Fighting, Diesel Gym London, Bodypower Strength and Fitness
EP03: Tradition
36 min. | Kok Boru | Kyrgyzstan
For this episode, Duncan travels to Bishkek, where a local hero takes him under his wing to teach him the dangerous sport of Kok Boru, a rugby like equestrian sport performed by fighting over a dead goat.
While the ways of the Kyrgyz people may seem rough, they take great pride in their symbiotic relationship with nature. As urbanization slowly increases in Kyrgyzstan, the majority of the people still call the mountains their home, where they herd their cattle and trade their goods. And as they say: a real Kyrgyz is born on a horse and will die on a horse, as they together travel the outstretched lands.
CREDITS: Erbol Nishanov, Aidar Urmatbekov, Omurbek, Manas, Demira, Erlanbek Bekbotoev, Azamat Turdukanov, Uulu
EP02: Spirituality
39 min. | Laamb Wrestling | Senegal
Derived from the Wolof-language, the language of one of the many tribes of Senegal, laamb wrestling is the only form of wrestling where combatants are also allowed to hit each other.
The Senegale people believe that it is not the strongest wrestler that wins, but the one that is able to summon the strength of his ancestors, as a fight is mainly won in the spiritual planes and manifests itself into our physical world. Its popularity creates local superstars, which are adored and idolized. Can the sport serve as a way out of poverty and into stardom?
CREDITS: Pathe ‘Big Pato’ Boye, Ndéye Diallo, Mbaye Babacar Diopl, Maman Diarry Diop, Mamadou Aly N’Diaye, Lassana Cissé, Mouhamed N’Diaye, Pape Diouf 2, Serigne Abdou Khadre, Anne Myrte Korteweg, Laamb Wrestling Senegal, Krachtsportvereniging de Halter, Eau Sindia Senegal.
EP01: Determination
31 min. | Boxing | Cuba
This story takes place in the region that has brought forth the most Olympic boxing champions of the world: Baracoa. A region that has long been secluded from the rest of the nation. Where global superpowers America, China and Russia seem to have all the resources at their disposal to produce world class fighters, the gold medals of the Olympics always seem to find their home in Cuba.
Instead of fancy boxing facilities, Duncan finds local boxers nourishing their craft barefoot, using second hand gloves. Despite of the poverty that a lot of people find themselves in, he is welcomed with open arms and experiences the local hospitality and unity of the Cuban people. Values that are reflected in the way they view boxing.
