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Three World Kickboxing Association title fights – one for the world championship – and a chance to play an international chess master top the feature attractions for the inaugural Hampton, VA Sports Festival and Expo Feb. 19-21 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center.
The festival boasts competition in 10 different sports – all to be held at the convention center and many taking place at the same time.
Besides kickboxing and chess, competition will be held in boxing, body building, cornhole, mixed martial arts, taekwondo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and No-gi grappling. The event is expected to draw participants from all over the country.
Kickboxing matches begin at 7 p.m. on Feb. 20 and will capped by the three title fights. The headliner pits Brandon Mickens of Team Combat (Va.) against reigning champ Tim Amorim of Pennsylvania for the men’s light welterweight world championship. They are 1-1 in previous meetings against each other.
The other major fights are for U.S. titles. They pit Careesa Kibler of Florida against Lindsey Scheer of Kentucky for the women’s welterweight crown and Mike Lavera of Arizona against Chase Walden of Virginia’s Hybrid Academy for the men’s middleweight title.
Oladapo Adu, a former Nigerian national champion who has competed in two world chess Olympiads, will showcase his international master skills in two chess competitions on Feb. 19. At 6 p.m., the current Maryland resident will host an exhibition, simultaneously playing up to 20 athletes already participating in other sports at the festival. At 7 p.m., Ado will play up to 30 members of the general public who have registered to play at the one time.
During the festival, a free expo will be held in the main concourse of the convention center, located directly in front of the exhibit halls. This will give the public an opportunity to speak with representatives of local sports and health clubs, plus talk to doctors specializing in sports medicine. Merchandise also will be available for sale.
Competition will run from 3-9 p.m. on Feb. 19, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on Feb. 20, and 9-3 on Feb. 21.
Admission is $10 for a one-day pass and $17 for a weekend pass. Children ages 10-and-under will be admitted free with a paying adult.
Those interested in playing in any of the sports should go to the website sportshampton.com/go/festival. For more information, contact Craig Lenniger at 728-5314 or clenniger@hamptoncvb.com.