Kanata Yamamoto vs Astrid Arvidsson - The Stoic Fighter Meets the Golden Dragon

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Kanata haven't felt this in a long time, the excitement of a grueling, hard hitting battle. To the older woman with thousands of battles seasoned in her body. The joy felt when two fighters just bring their all and batter and turn each other upside down just to see who came out on top. And both fighters refused to be brought down and it all came down into a battle of sheer willpower or whoever breaks first... This was it, Astrid brought that feeling that Kanata longed for.

There was no hatred at all from Kanata's fightback. She calmly rolled Astrid over so that she got on top, and her eyes focused straight to Astrid's as she swung her forearm in! In an attempt to stun Astrid to get off her. Kanata paused for a bit as she landed the blow. Her head was still lowered, she had intended to push herself up but...

"Ghkhh!!!" Astrid's forearm smashed straight to Kanata's face before she could do so! She was stunted for a bit, but shortly after that... Kanata held onto Astrid's wrist firmly. "Kehhehe..." Kanata chuckled out softly. She then pulled Astrid's arm away slowly. Revealing her bloodied face to Astrid. Her eyes glared straight down as there was that warrior's fury in her. But... Her smile, it was a wide grin. Just as Astrid noticed the smile. Kanata immediately drove her head down and bumps her forehead against Astrid's with a strong headbutt!!

Right after the headbutt. Kanata slowly pushed herself up to her feet, her body fully aching. She couldn't help but to keep herself smiling and grinning as she made out some chuckles. Fully amused and impressed that her opponent could bring her to bring everything she had. The crowd roared out in cheers as the bloodied Japanese slowly get herself back to her feet. Though Kanata gripped onto a lock of Astrid's hair as she pushed herself up.

Standing up to her feet. Kanata stood over Astrid who she yanked up to a sitting position. She kept on grinning as she held onto Astrid's hair firmly. "Hah... Kore da... Kono Ryuu no chikara." She let out softly. Looking down on Astrid as she wonders what kind of slams she should bring to Astrid while she took a short respite.

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The Golden Dragon's face seemed to be on fire after the powerful blow that Kanata gave her. Because of the noise in her head, her thoughts were scattered, but even so, she could feel the blood flowing over her skin. The match, which a few minutes ago seemed to be over, got a new breath. There was nothing to deny here, Astrid did not think that she would receive such a tough challenge today.

However, this did not change the main point. Fight to the very end. That's what the Norwegian woman knew best. Therefore, despite the pain and dizziness, she directed the force into her left hand and threw it at her opponent's head. As she had hoped, Kanata didn't have time to react to this. Loosening her defenses, she let Astrid's forearm slam right into her face.

The head and the entire upper body of the Japanese woman leaned back, which is why she again took a more or less vertical position. Some, including Astrid, even thought that Kanata was going to fall on her back. But what happened in the next second literally defied explanation.

Kanata grabbed the Golden Dragon's only free hand. And then the blonde heard laughter. Astrid blinked and her vision focused. She saw eyes filled with rage. And then she saw a smile. A big smile. At the same moment, Astrid's soul seemed to ignite. She knew what that smile meant. This smile came from the very depths of Kanata's soul. The Golden Dragon strained her body in order to throw Kanata aside. But it was too late...

Kanata jerked down sharply and hit Astrid's forehead with her own. The blonde's mouth opened wide while her eyes rolled back. Her tense body twitched convulsively several times, as if an electric current had been passed through it, and then went limp. Astrid has proven more than once that she has a very strong skull, at least for the simple reason that a headbutt was one of her favorite moves. But this time she didn't have a chance to handle it.

Fatigue and the inability to group played a big role in this. By the time Kanata started to get to her feet, there was nothing but fog in Astrid's mind. She was fully conscious, but there was nothing she could do. No matter how hard she tried to force herself to raise her arms, they remained down like two rags. Therefore, nothing prevented Kanata from grabbing the Norwegian woman by the hair and pulling her up hard.

"Uhh..." she groaned in a strangled voice, because there was absolutely nothing pleasant about pulling hair, especially considering that most of her weight was now on her hair.

Fully rising to her feet, Kanata forced Astrid to take some semblance of a sitting position. Only now it was possible to notice that the amount of blood had increased significantly. Now the scarlet liquid was flowing not only from her nostrils and lips, but also from the wound on her forehead formed after the Japanese woman's blow. Her pants and sports bra rapidly began to change color from white to red. And...

Again. Again, her opponent is on her feet. Again, she's in a semi-conscious state. Again, her opponent is saying something. Last time, Kanata rubbed her shoe against Astrid's face. Now Kanata was holding her by the hair like a doll. Another humiliating scene. For the second time in one match. The blonde remembered her desire to make the pin much more humiliating for her rival, because she could put a boot on her face or even something worse. But Astrid didn't stoop to such things. And now she had a reason to regret it, because it looks like Kanata didn't care about it.

"Make sure I'm dead..." Astrid croaked. "Otherwise, I'll leave only ashes from you..."

It wasn't a threat. It was a promise.

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Hearing the threat coming from Astrid... Kanata lets out a small chuckle, it seemed that her opponent shared the same sentiment that they won't stop until one of them is fully unable to fight. Truly, it was a spirit of a warrior. "That's what I like to hear." Kanata let out as she hunched down and draped one of her arm over the back of Astrid's neck and her other hand grabbed Astrid's wrist and pulled her arm over to the back of her neck. "Let us fight until one of us drop." She announced softly. Her hand then gripped onto the hem of Astrid's pants.

With a grunt, Kanata then starts to pull Astrid up to her feet. Keeping her hold over Astrid's neck firm as she did so. She had to keep Astrid in this hold for the slam she had in mind... One that seemed quite devastating and fitting to show how she wanted to end her opponent. "Ghhh...RRRRAAAAAAHHH!!!" Kanata stomped the canvas and roared out as she lifted Astrid off the canvas! Lifting Astrid upside down as she held her in a position that seemed like she would pull a vertical hang brainbuster.

Kanata then let Astrid hang upside down over her shoulders for quite a while. Taking deep breaths as she looked over to the crowd. "OWARI DAAAA!!!" She screamed out as she tosses Astrid up and let go of the hold! Letting Astrid fall headfirst to the canvas and catching her midsection as she then drops down to her butt and drove Astrid's head down to the canvas with a devastating Brainbuster Bomb!!!

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When Kanata wrapped her arm around her neck, Astrid gritted her teeth. The brunette pulled her up in order to fully lift her to her feet. The only thing Astrid wanted to do right now was to hit her opponent so hard that the light went out in Kanata's eyes. In her head, she was repeating one of the same things like a spell, telling herself to clench her fist. But it was all in vain. She took too much damage. Her body didn't want to listen to her.

However, there was no limit to her stubbornness. And at the moment when the Japanese woman grabbed the hem of her pants, Astrid tensed her body. Because of this, Kanata couldn't lift her right away. The Norwegian woman could not bring herself to wave her arm in order to hit her rival. But she put all her stubbornness into not letting Kanata lift her up.

But some things cannot be overcome by stubbornness alone. Despite her best efforts, Astrid couldn't force her body to find even more reserves. And when Kanata tried to lift her for the third time, she couldn't continue resisting. Astrid ended upside down above the mat. She heard the audience fill the arena with noise, and then almost all the sounds disappeared.

Blood rushed to her head, multiplying the intracranial pressure. It was because of this that Astrid's hearing practically disappeared. She was already on the verge of losing consciousness after everything that happened in this tough match. She felt that the fire in her soul was beginning to fade. From the bright flame, which was able to illuminate even the most impenetrable darkness, only a small twinkle remained.

It was hard to understand where Kanata got the strength to keep the Golden Dragon in such a position for so long after all. But in fact only one thing was important. She wanted to make it clear to everyone that this was the end. Even someone who didn't know Japanese could understand her words. The descendant of the great Vikings felt the grip on her neck disappear, and her body began to fall down.

And then the brunette grabbed her waist, yanking her down and thereby increasing the speed of the fall. Astrid's ears filled with the rustle of air. Her golden hair tickled her face pleasantly. It would be a good feeling if she didn't know what awaits her at the end of this fall.

Her head and upper body crashed into the mat with such force that the ring shook because of it. It was hard to say which was louder. The sound of Astrid's body colliding with the mat or the wild roar of the audience, who literally could not believe what they had just seen. Yes, it was a real pro wrestling. Astrid was just one step away from winning. But events took a completely different turn.

"Phak!!!" because of the complete lack of air in the lungs, it sounded barely audible.

Her back arched due to the indescribable pain that pierced her body. The eyes of the descendant of the great Vikings were tightly closed, but her mouth opened wide and blood flew out of that mouth. Literally for a moment Astrid seemed to freeze, there was an expression of true agony on her face.

And then, as if in slow motion, her muscles relaxed. First on her face, and then all over her body. The Golden Dragon's back pressed against the mat. Her head was slightly turned to the side. Her mouth was slightly open. Blood was flowing from her nose and mouth right onto the mat. Not a single sign of movement. Even her breathing was so weak that it seemed like her chest wasn't moving at all. From the flame in her soul remained only one little sparkle.

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Kanata was bringing her all when she drove Astrid headfirst with the Brainbuster Bomb. She held onto Astrid's midsection firmly as she sat there taking her breath. With that position, the referee looked to see if Astrid had her shoulders down. To which she had as her body relaxed under Kanata's grip. The referee goes down and then started to slap their hand to the canvas and counting the pin!

"ONE!!!"

Seeing the referee counting the pin, Kanata let go of Astrid's waist and shoved her away. Shocking the crowd as she took a few deep breaths. Shaking her head as she thought that this slam isn't enough to bring down the Dragon. The referee looked at her puzzled at her intent. "Iiya... Mada mada." Kanata let out as she planted one hand to her knee as she rises back up slowly. She knew the extent of Astrid's strength and she estimated that Astrid would just... Break out the way she did earlier. Almost at the three count but breaks the pin with a surprise explosiveness.

There was one more hold that she had in mind, one that was known throughout her career as the definitive finish for her match. No one have ever kicked out of this throughout her career. And that was the Burning Hammer. She stood over Astrid and knew that she had to use it or else...

Putting her plan in motion. Kanata grabbed Astrid's wrist and started to pull her up to her feet. Struggling as she was brought to her limit physically as pain stings throughout her body. Kanata then turns Astrid around so that she faced her back. And then, the dark haired warrior shoved her shoulder onto Astrid's side and plants it firmly there. Her hands gripping onto Astrid's neck and thigh. "Nggrrhh... RRhhh!!!" Kanata grunted out as she lifted Astrid up off her feet and laid across her shoulders in the argentine backbreaker hold.

Her knees buckled as she struggled to keep Astrid's weight across her shoulders. Her bloodied face gazed to the crowd roaring out in anticipation for this move. Her victory is at hand... Surely, if Astrid couldn't do anything about it... Kanata would make a step forward, drops down to her rear and drive Astrid down headfirst to her side with a devastating Burning Hammer!!!

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She didn't even immediately understand how she got there. Astrid looked to the right, then to the left, and only when she looked forward again, she saw a huge golden dragon in front of her. The monster was looking at her and his gaze was so intense that the blonde had to lower her head. It seemed to her that the dragon's gaze created an invisible pressure on her.

"Want to try to find excuses?" the dragon's voice echoed through the void.

Astrid didn't know how to answer that. Now she understood exactly what was in the gaze of her inner dragon. It was a disappointment. How did she know that? Because it was her own feeling that filled her whole soul.

"Even after your flame burst out, you still found yourself in this position," black smoke and a certain amount of sparks came out of the dragon's nostrils. "And let me guess, now you're going to ask for..."

"Give me some more power," Astrid said, lifting her head.

The dragon's gaze instantly changed. Now there was no disappointment in them, now there was rage in them. The blonde's words angered the dragon. However, it didn't last long. The monster laughed as if he had heard a good joke, and then put his head on his paws. He looked at Astrid one more time, and then closed his eyes, preparing to go to sleep.

"No," he replied, "the dragon's power won't help you now."

Astrid wanted to object, but her time had come to an end. It was as if she was being pulled back somewhere. She wanted to ask why the dragon refused to give her power and what exactly did he mean when he said that the dragon's power would not help her now? However, she didn't have time, the dragon disappeared into the emptiness of her mind.

The Norwegian woman could barely move after her rival's devastating throw. Her shoulders were firmly pressed against the mat and for the referee it was a reason to do her job. The striped shirt fell next to the women and slapped the mat. The audience took a deep breath, preparing to shout the second count, but the need for this suddenly disappeared.

Kanata decided that Astrid's semi-conscious state wasn't enough. So she voluntarily broke her own pin. What happened next was very prosaic. The brunette lifted the almost unconscious body of the Golden Dragon, forcing the Norwegian woman to get to her feet. If Kanata had let Astrid go even for a second, she would have just collapsed down again. But, while maintaining prudence, Kanata constantly held her rival.

She met no resistance at the moment when she pressed her shoulders against the blonde's back. Astrid hardly understood what was going on at all. After the powerbomb that Kanata used a few moments ago, she lost all her fervor. She tried to open her eyes, but she saw nothing but blinding bright light.

Few people expected that now Astrid would have some secret reserves in order to avoid what Kanata had prepared for her. And some even found the fact that Kanata was going to use another throw something excessive. However, no matter what anyone thought, it did not affect what happened after the next scream of the Japanese woman.

No more than thirty seconds have passed since Astrid's head crashed into the mat and now everything has happened again. Kanata began to fall to the side, giving Astrid acceleration. And then there was such a crash that some of the audience had their ears blocked. This time Astrid didn't make a single sound. She didn't have any strength left last time, so little has changed this time.

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One devastating slam to another. Kanata was going all out in taking down Astrid. It was her way to show her respect as a warrior. As Kanata spiked Astrid headfirst to the canvas with the Burning Hammer. Kanata laid down and took a few deep breaths before sitting up. Glancing over to Astrid with a tender smile. She couldn't believe that she had to pull off everything to put Astrid down. And with the fact that she just drops Astrid in the Burning Hammer. Her mind eased up as she believed no one had ever kicked out of the Burning Hammer.

She then sluggishly crawl around Astrid and crosses her body along Astrid's body and laid her body down for the pin. There were no humiliating theatrics at all. Just a honest, simple, full body cover with one of her arm hooked around Astrid's thigh and raised it up slightly while her body squishes onto Astrid's. Kanata closed her eyes as she breathes in and out... The referee seeing this pin attempt slides in close once again. And slams their hand to the canvas!

"ONE!!!"

It's over... As Kanata thought while pinning Astrid, she is very sure that her victory is at hands. And to think that Astrid make her bring her everything... Even to her drawing her past. Astrid had gained Kanata's respect that even if she couldn't break the pin. Kanata would gladly accept that Astrid was strong, strong like a dragon.

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Why? Why did the dragon living inside her refuse to give her power? This was one of the most important questions that bothered Astrid. The Norwegian woman was lying on the mat in an unnatural position. And, perhaps, most would say that she lost consciousness. It wasn't that far from the truth. Recent events were not in her favor. And after the last two attacks from the Japanese woman, the blonde had nothing left.

Why? Why? Why? Why did her fire go out at the moment when she needed help the most? Why did the dragon say that the dragon's power wouldn't help her now? So many questions and so few answers...

Although a tiny corner of her mind was still there, right in the ring. Her understanding of what was happening was very limited. But the Golden Dragon knew the most important things. She was in the ring. She was beaten up. She didn't have any strength left. In a few seconds, her opponent will finish the match. Speaking of the last point.

Kanata lay down on Astrid and hooked her leg. In a sense, it was a broad gesture. The blonde had a strong premonition that if it came to a pin, then her opponent would use something much more appropriate to everything she did in this match. Astrid expected Kanata to put a foot on her chest or do something even more unpleasant, such as planting the ass on her face, while flexing her muscles to show that she had defeated the young woman. All things considered, this was the more obvious scenario.

"ONE!" Astrid heard.

Yes, right, the pin. How could it have happened like this? That was the second question that bothered Astrid. Victory was in her hands, but she wanted to win properly, not with the help of a countout. And now she was covered in her own blood and she didn't have a single drop of strength to prevent the referee from slapping the mat two more times.

"TWO!!" echoed through the arena.

Will it end here like this? That was the third question that bothered Astrid. She could not say that she had made any critical mistakes. And she didn't think she should have ended the match with a countout. And yet, now she was beaten, broken. She didn't even feel the strength to move even a finger. So did everything really happen because Kanata turned out to be just stronger than her?

The Norwegian woman wanted to jerk to the side. She wanted to break the pin to continue the match. But no matter how desperately she searched for strength within herself, she couldn't find it. Even in spite of the pain, she felt the taste of decay in her mouth. What would her great ancestors say if they saw her lose such a match? She knew the answer. They would consider it a shame.

After everything Kanata had said and done, defeat would be the final chord in this symphony of humiliation of the Norwegian woman. That would prove Kanata was right. This would prove that she really had every right to wipe her shoe on Astrid's face, saying that she considered her weak. Because of this realization, the blonde wanted to scream. The referee raised her hand for the third time.

The dragon refused to help her, leaving her alone. And Astrid just didn't know where she could get the strength to break the pin. Her head felt as if it had been smashed to pieces. Her whole body was filled with agony. So why?

"The dragon's power won't help you now," she repeated mentally. "If it won't help me, then what will at all?"

The question she asked herself reminded her of something. Right. She's already asked that question. Once upon a time, when she was just starting to practice MMA, she lost a match. Her rival was able to overcome the power of the blonde's inner dragon. And when her strength finally left her, she could not continue the match. And when her father shook his head in disappointment after the match, she asked him this question. The saddest thing was that her father replied that she had to find the answer herself. Although, despite it took a long time, but in one of her next matches she was able to find it.

At that time, Astrid was lying on the mat, being locked in the submission hold. She didn't have the strength to get out, she knew that defeat was inevitable. But when she was ready to give up, something clicked in her head. The answer came to her as if she had always known it. Now the situation was almost the same. The difference was that now she was pinned, not locked.

The dragon's power won't help her now. She finally understood what the dragon inside her meant. Kanata was strong. A nasty piece of trash who treated Astrid with sickening disrespect, but strong. This Japanese woman was able to overcome the power of the dragon. That was why the dragon's power was useless against her now. If she could handle that power once, then she could handle it again.

"But I'm stronger than a dragon," Astrid thought.

Her flames only burst out when she was angry or when she was desperate. This flame gave her a power that almost no one could handle. But when even this power was not enough, then Astrid realized that she did not need a dragon. The real power is revealed when you reach the edge. Her father had told her that on the very first day of her training. He told her that when you reach the limit of your abilities, when you are beaten and when you have no strength left, the most important moment comes. Either you accept defeat, or you gather your will into a fist. Only those who are willing to go beyond their own abilities will be able to reach the top.

"Drop the fear, drop the doubts, take a step forward, cross the line, find the strength to continue fighting," she heard her father's voice. "And then you will become the greatest champion."

When the referee's hand began to descend, Astrid bit her lower lip with such force that a thin stream of blood ran down her chin. To hell the dragon's power. She will never give up her alias. The Golden Dragon is forever a part of her. But no one should ever forget. She is strong not because there is a dragon inside her, but because she is Astrid Arvidsson. The descendant of the great Vikings. And if she needs to go through the heat of Muspelheim and the cold of Niflheim in order to prove that she is worthy of hearing the rapt speeches of her ancestors about herself in Valhalla, then she will do it.

"THR!.."

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Astrid jerked to the side, straightening her hooked leg at the same time. The striped shirt had to jerk with Astrid, because her hand was too close to the mat. The referee involuntarily fell on her stomach and at that moment the arena was plunged into silence. Was it a slap? Was it the end? What happened? The answers to all these questions were received at the moment when the referee girl got up on one knee and raised her right hand.

"ONLY TWO!" she said, showing her middle and index fingers.

Lying on her left side, the Norwegian woman almost fainted. Not because of pain and fatigue, but because of the literally destructive noise with which the audience filled the arena. Yes, such a reaction could not be seen every day. However, when something impossible happens right in front of your eyes, it deserves such screams. A slight smile appeared on the blonde's bloody face. She crossed the line. She wasn't done yet.

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It's over... No one have kicked out from her Burning Hammer, ever. Kanata was sure of that. She was surprised to feel Astrid jolting up and broke her pin but it was so close. Kanata smiled as if she was about to commend Astrid for her fighting spirit to not allow herself to go down that easy and almost got the fight to continue, but...

Kanata widen her eyes as she took a glance at the referee who announced that it was just a two count! "Nani?" She let out, she couldn't believe that her Burning Hammer was just kicked out. Marking Astrid as the first one ever to kick out of a pin after the Burning Hammer from Kanata. Still at disbelief, Kanata then glanced over to Astrid who smiled after kicking out.

Kanata couldn't help but to let out a laugh as she saw it. Amused that Astrid managed to kick out, she then slowly rise back up to her feet. Interestingly, she didn't choose to attack Astrid immediately but instead, she backed away a few steps. "Get up!" Kanata let out loudly, addressing it directly towards Astrid. "You didn't surpass that Dragon's power for nothing now are you!?" She continued, goading Astrid to get back up. "Come on! Bring me that fight!"

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It was fucking unbelievable. Yes, such a crowd reaction can be found when it comes to a boxing match for the world heavyweight title. But here, in LAW, even such a common match, where was no question of a title, can cause a truly wild roar of the crowd. Emotions literally seeped through the walls of the arena because only in this ring could you see something really impossible.

It seemed that the Golden Dragon had come to an end. No matter how strong the Norwegian woman is, but everyone has a limit. And after Kanata hit her with such a destructive move, only few people were ready to believe that some kind of miracle would happen. And the truth was that no miracle really happened. Why?

Because she didn't do it thanks to some higher powers. It wasn't a super soldier serum. It wasn't an awakened mutation or a quirk. It was her own willpower. It was her desire to win. And although it is unlikely that there would be at least one person in this arena who would accuse Astrid of not doing her best in this match, she was not ready to lose yet. She chose to fight.

However, it was not worth hoping that all her strength returned to Astrid, and the wounds on her body disappeared. No, it wasn't like that. She remained in the game, but the condition of the Golden Dragon could only be envied by a dead man. There were bruises all over her body, covered with sweat and blood. But the most unpleasant sight was above the neck. Her lips were torn in two places, and her nose, because of the fresh and dried blood, looked like a very ugly cherry pie. This picture was completed by a matted mop of dirty hair and clothes that were once white, and now red.

Considering all the circumstances, the descendant of the great Vikings was ready for the fact that now Kanata would do about the same thing that Astrid herself did after her rival broke the pin. She expected that the brunette would press her to the mat, and then make every possible effort to literally knock everything left out of her. But Kanata managed to surprise her once again. The Japanese woman did not attack. Instead, she got to her feet and then demanded that Astrid do the same in order to give her one last fight. A worthy deed. Truly.

"Then..." Astrid said in a hoarse but still strong voice.

Placing her palms on the mat, she rose to one knee. It was as if a ton of lead had been pumped into her body. It seemed to her that her joints were rusty, because absolutely every movement caused painful sensations. Her sinuses were swollen, as a result of which she could only breathe with the help of her nose. However, there was no way back for her.

Staggering a little, Astrid got to her feet to the shouts and applause of the audience, after which she clenched her fists and raised them to chin level. The blonde looked into the eyes of her rival. Has anything changed? Yes, changed. There was still hatred and rage in the Golden Dragon's eyes, as she had not forgotten Kanata's disrespectful attitude towards her. But even through this, now one could see in her gaze respect for the fighter who stood in front of her.

"May the best woman win," she said, as if starting the match anew.

With that, she rushed forward. Her whole body howled in pain because of such sudden movements. Astrid knew it was the finish line. It's either her or Kanata. After what they had put each other through, there was no chance that this match would end on a softer note than the complete destruction of one of them. Therefore, the Golden Dragon intended to give the Japanese woman everything without a trace.

The descendant of the great Vikings believed that at such moments it is necessary to count on your best qualities. Therefore, as soon as she was at the distance of the punch, she intended to make a sharp pendulum movement down and right in order to disappear from the field of view of her rival for at least a second. Boxing was the first thing she mastered and now she was sure that this was her best chance to defeat this woman. Therefore, the Norwegian woman intended to turn on her toes to the left in order to fill her body with additional speed, thereby increasing the force of the right hook, which she wanted to send to the left side of Kanata's jaw!