Masterton fighter beaten by a whisker

HAIR TODAY: Zane Hopman was disqualified from the 2015 IMFA World Championships in Thailand because of the short beard he was sporting. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Professional Masterton fighter Zane Hopman has returned home crestfallen from the 2015 IMFA World Championships in Thailand after his 11th-hour disqualification from a semifinal bout because of his beard.

Hopman, who last year took gold in the IMFA amateur division to become the 2014 heavyweight champion, was to have fought Jakob Styben from Germany.

Hopman drew a bye in the first round of his division and was looking forward to his match against Styben, until the trainer of the German fighter complained to officials about Hopman's short beard. He was disqualified from the bout.

"It was pretty devastating. A lot of my own time, money, and effort, and other people's backing and support basically went down the gurgler," Hopman said. "I felt my chances were good because last year Styben was unorthodox and difficult in the first round but, after I figured him out, he wasn't too hard. I'd improved a lot since then and I watched him and he didn't seem too much better, in my opinion."

Hopman was not warned about his beard at the initial medical check and weigh-in and was cleared at the same procedures on the day of the fight.

"I was all good to go, got kitted up at the venue, sweet as, then a Kiwi official, Chris Samson, told me I should have shaved."

Hopman was disappointed the Black Gloves team management had not warned him about the facial hair ban, which he guessed was to prevent beards being used as an abrasive advantage in clinches.

He decided he would take his disqualification with grace.

"I was in medal contention and was going to get a bronze no matter what happened but, for me, I haven't got a medal. It's not the way you want to get it," he said.

"But if I'd thrown my toys out of the cot, I would have just made myself and my country look stupid. Our team was made up predominantly of young people and I felt I was a role model, pretty much, so I just had to take it with some dignity."

He said the Kiwi team of 40 fighters had performed well, taking 21 medals that included a Junior Girl Gold Medal for young fighter Crystal Cook, and fellow Masterton fighter Kahn Warwood had fought well despite his exit in the first round of his division.

He was grateful too that neither he nor any members of the team were caught up in the bomb blast that rocked Bangkok during the tournament, killing 20 people.

"We didn't get blown up - that was a bonus. I was on a train heading to the stadium when the bomb went off about 500 metres away from us. The train stopped and we weren't allowed into the station for a few minutes.We felt the explosion."

Hopman is considering making a bid at the 2016 Muaythai World Championships in Sweden and at K-1 kickboxing world champs in Spain later next year.

He was also looking at opportunities to fight in an upcoming King in the Ring televised match and an International Boxing Organisation Oceania title fight.