Kash ‘The Flash’ Gill victorious on homecoming.
At 50 years of age four times World kick-Boxing Champion, Kash ‘The Flash’ Gill, the first Asian to win a world title in contact sports made the long overdue trip to his parent’s place of birth. And boy did he make it worthwhile.
Kash was invited to train team Shere-e-Punjab for the prestigious Super Fight League All-India mixed-martial arts tournament to face teams from Delhi, Gujarat, Bangalore, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Mumbai.
As well as being the Punjab team coach, Gill also provided TV commentary for ESPN Sony when his team was not in action. The event was held over 6 weeks and concluded fittingly with Shere-e-Punjab winning the competition in the team final against Delhi.
Kash was ecstatic, “I visited my parent’s home village of Powadra and met a first cousin for the first time who has never ventured out of India. He showed me the bed and bedroom that my father passed away in on a trip home in 2004 so it was very emotional. Team Punjab winning the title was for Dad and I hope he’s looking down somewhere and smiling.”
Kash, alongside his coach Howard Brown, who mentored the Uttar Pradesh team, managed to fit in a personal audience and nationally broadcast television interview with Singh Saab, the world-wide head of the Sikh religion, at the Golden temple in Amritsar. Howard Brown described him as “a very warm and wonderful man.”
Mixed-martial arts, where competitors are allowed to use a variety of striking and grappling techniques, has grown rapidly in world-wide popularity with Irishman Conor McGregor currently its most well-known combatant.
The Super Fight League is also experiencing rapid growth with its team event format and hopes to host the first World Cup in the sport within the next three years. British Boxer Amir Khan has a stake in the outfit and co-promoter Bill Dosangh is in further talks with ESPN to expand the team format.
Kash swears if he was younger he would definitely participate and is keen to help the sport flourish at grass-roots level in India in particular. “Cricket is the main sport in India but the new generation love martial arts as evidenced by the packed out arena and impressive TV viewing figures. It would be great to be part of that journey.”
It’s the longest tournament Kash has ever been involved with in his illustrious 101 fight Kickboxing career and one that he will never forget. “I learned so much more about my roots and original culture and to top it all Howard and I made so many new friends and were treated so well by everyone that we’re sure to go again in the not too distant future. I certainly won’t be waiting another 50 years this time.”
