Lirotte isthe reigning. provincial and Canadien amateur Kickboxing Americans super middleweight c crown i in Victoria. wep e switch: to Martial . Arts belt made’ - Champion... : Academy and kickboxing. starring that inspired. to pursue,the sport of kickboxir ig. tles., ; ‘asked to bring - , gloves and hei-* please ‘call Norm: ‘Deplisi at 38-2364. : : ““That’s when I ‘got.a lot “more. serious .anid “1° really started to take off,” he said. "He’s about: to leap. feet-° first into. a much deeper com- petitive pool, however — the professional ranks ;. This September, Lirette ~~ blade” : match .at™ a: tourncy | g fheld- at ‘the-Pacific National Exhibition “before heading toa compétition in’ Japan later this December. He'll ‘carry: with him. a. record of seven’ wins, one loss, . 1¢ sport of ki boxing, f jamateur bouts, is ire, three “EC “dard he’s used to, , but he feels “up to the challenge. .-. “That's actually one of my strong” points,” he said. “I have a lot of endurance and I can go a long way.” Lirette’s fought both kick- | boxing and “Muey- Thai” styles, “The larter method -of combat presents more oppor- tunities tor close combat with knees and judo-style throws allowed.. , . ; “T prefer to fight kickbox- ~ ing because it’s.a lor cleaner and prettier to watch and it’s mare technical’ with more clean strikes,” he said. .. Lirette, who also teaches” cat Champion, trains up.. to * four hours:a day wich cardio -- and ~ “weight workouts ‘and: ' arring matches. i ' es. rounds ; M: wittite ip fessional bouts ‘can ip: to 12. Lirette -acknowledges that it’s going to be'a.change of Pace. from, the: amateur stan- ¢ Pipers narrowly ised. their. fourth: straight. al AAA mior soccer “récently “Sawhen ropped . ‘Centennial ,: Centaurs ry scored the Pipers’ lane marker with: a comer kick from Sam ond-year midfielder. Jacquie Ferraby. was.’ named: tourna - ment MVP. The .teani pésted a~15-3 rall season record and won ‘string of ten straight. tilts’ to reach the final. . * The” Pipers.’ were coached by Greg Hockley and Wayne : Shaw... *Male: and fernale | rugby players: are-. encouraged” to enter themsclves, or.2. team in rounds Per of “to-travel ” North “American chimp. i Ingrid Dordar, ; Lirette is currently looking he ‘0 , have at least one snowcap ona European tourney DEXt year... And while it may look like: “a rough sport, with flying fists and.spinning back-kicks that connect solidly with an oppo- _ nent’s ‘upper. body, Liretre ' said it’s actually not as pun- ishing as it might appear. ~ - Atleast, not if you know what you’re doing... + _“Surprisin Bh Pve_ never “ gotten injured,” he said. “I’ve never broken my nose ; and ‘I've gotten nothing. more: ‘than. bumps and bruises.” One of the reasons is chat fighters are weli-protected with full head gear and ‘knee anid shin pads while training. We- “prepare ourselves ta? stay Safe,” said Lirette.‘ - He'd like. to. sce more safe feito -oriented activity,” said. (over’ 40) and one woman on the field. at ail times... “The games are refereed ‘and will fast Fal an hour éach Games, began Thurs ay, june i8- but: nes players: will be welcome during . : the first few weeks: A 6-8 week run of play is expected. ; More details are available at “www, ree com>. . Sunday, June 11, 2000 - North Shore News - 41 NAME: Suzana Palovic ; SCHOOL: Sentinel... : EVENTS: Doubies COA HES: Rika Lu in “teamed tip with Wei-Mann | (Jennifer) Khoe : to go unbeaten dn ten straight” doubles sets — including _key victories in Sentinel’s ‘four closest matches dur- ‘ing. the school’s _ five straight wins —~ as the Spartans captured the B.C. AAA championship in Penticton.. The_ pai _. Were awarded the titles best girls double’ team:‘at the tournament’s conch-_ engine in 3 lightweight, easy- to-use trimmer that will get + SPORT: Senior tennis-: - EVENTS: ngles/m ed doubles, **: ; ‘olitstariding male « player ’ The - Sentinel : squad. was unbeaten in league : and ”" playoff matches this sea and recently rth, title i