If you think that any top kickboxer that goes there is already medalist, you are crazy. World Cup means even in the first rounds there is heavy competition. That guy from Kyrgystan or from where he was, was also very good.
For example, Andrei Stoica was European champion and failed in the quarterfinals, 1:2 in 3 rounds. He was very aggressive and has experience, but fighting also against the Asians and some Arabs, you also need to have that wrestling. And believe he is also former MMA artist, he is better than many other Europeans on this aspect. And Andrei trained under Cătălin Zmărăndescu in wushu first. He can get knocked out, but he is strong like a bear and has very strong chin. Plus he also did some judo.
It"s a sport totally dominated by the Asians. Except for Russia and Egypt, in top 13 there are only Asians.
It"s like the national sport of China. And Iran in this, they are like the greco-roman wrestlers.
So any West and Central European medal is a performance, plus he never fought before in Wushu. Plus he came back after 3 years and a half.
