Baguio City – The success of the First Kickboxing Championship Cup, attracting a total of 62 martial artists, who competed in 31 kickboxing bouts last February 16, 2018, here, is further proof that more youngsters are now divulging into combat sports.
This fact was not lost among officers and members of the Northern Luzon Kickboxing Alliance who organized the tournament which coincided with the Panagbenga Festival.
The games were participated by at least 20 different teams representing various places in Northern Luzon that Includes, Santiago city Isabela, San Fernando City La Union, Mountain Province, Benguet, and Baguio City.
Among the participating team included Scorpion Martial Arts International, Universal Martial Arts, MP Highland, Bauko Warriors, Team Lakay San Fernando, Builders Gym, La Trinidad, Team Max Fusion, Red Lions Martial Arts Training Center, Tribal Submission Philippines-Team Torogi, UB Team, BCU combative, Salaknib Martial Arts System, CCDC Admirals, and Fitness Box San Fernando City.
Baguio City Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan, who graced the tourney, said that the city and the Cordilleras compete very well in combative sports. He cite national events like the Batang Pinoy Championship, the Philippine National Games and the Palarong Pambansa as examples. “Our athletes are not that strong in events like running, swimming, gymnastics and dance sports but excel very well in the combative sports”, he said.
The mayor also used the exploits of Team Lakay Fighters, who are now regarded as sports heroes not only in Baguio and the Cordillera but the entire country, in encouraging the participants to further cultivate their skills
NLKA officials led by Sensei John Cay-ohen were elated with the outcome of the tournament which saw its participation grew from its first event of just 16 bouts last November 31 tournament to the 31 bouts this February.
The NLKA is set to have two more tournaments, on March 30 and 31 and the last weekend of April, to complete its preparation for the expected selection players for the kickboxing national pool. Kickboxing is included in the events to be played during the SEA games for the first time. The Games shall be by the country later this year.
Kru Noriel Aquisio, of the Max Fusion Team and the Chief referee of the tournament, said that players and coaches are now more familiar with the rules of Kickboxing when compared to the first Tourney last November. Kickboxing rules being used are those promulgated by the World Alliance of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO), the world governing body of Kickboxing.
Sensei Edwin Aliong of Universal Martial Arts and is the group’s matchmaker, on his part, said that some players this early have already distinguished themselves from the others. These players showed a lot of promised and are sure to be a show in for the selection of the national pool.
By Joel B. Belinan
Banner photo: Jameson Roldon Limbanan (4th from left) of Universal Martial Arts was declared the winner of the main event of the Kickboxing Championship Cup last February 16, 2019 Also in photo are Councilor Benny Bomogao, Sensei Miguek Galap, Coach Christian Villareal, Coach rei Samson, Sensei Paul Tudlong. JBBelinan
