By Joel B. Belinan
Last Saturday and Sunday (4th and 5th) was the culmination of three scheduled kickboxing tournaments that the Northern Luzon Kickboxing Alliance (NLKA) organized. The first was On February 16, 2019, and the second and third were on March 30 and 31. Even before these three tournaments, the NLKA through the leadership of John Cay-ohen made the very first kickboxing tourney last November 30, 2018 using the World Alliance of Kickboxing Organization (WAKO) rules.
Why the WAKO rules? This is because for the first time, kickboxing will be a part of the South East Asian Games to be hosted by this country towards the end of November and early part of December this year. And WAKO rules as promulgated by the World Governing Body of Kickboxing will be the rules to be followed.
Interestingly, kickboxing was actually one of the most popular combat sports in Baguio and the Cordillera way back in the 80s and 90s, way ahead of muay thai, wushu and pencak silat. Kickboxing actually rose to prominence here next only to the traditional karate. Kickboxing is an American and European martial art, not a Filipino sport but definitely a favorite of Baguio and Cordillera martial artists.
Last Sunday, the executive director of Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas (SKP) was able to attend the tournament and was able to watch maybe the last six bouts. Well as every martial artist knows the last bouts of any tourney are usually between the better and more advanced fighters. SKP is the interim National Sports Association (NSA) for kickboxing under the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
The attendance of the officials was very significant. First, because it shows the support of the NSA (SKP) for the NLKA. Second, it confirms that apart from the NLKA, no other part of the country has been preparing its players in anticipation of the national selection which will be held in July. The SEA Games will be towards the end of the year. Unlike other combative events like the muay thai, karate, boxing among others, kickboxing has no standing national team. This is because it will be the first time that kickboxing will be played in such category in the SEA Games.
Based on the statements made by the SKP executive, the country is hoping to get more medals in kickboxing although Vietnam and Singapore are also strong in this field. Players from the North which are mostly from Baguio and Benguet will be sure to get into the eight (8) weight divisions for males and one weight division for females.
Interestingly, after writing this piece, I chanced upon some old videos of kickboxing bouts of the very first kick boxers particularly the matches between Bill “The Super Foot” Wallace vs. Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace vs. Joe Corley, Joe Lewis vs.Charlton Young, Benny Urquidez vs a muay thai fighter, among others. It was really exhilarating to watch kickboxing by such professional players during their prime. And indeed again despite the popularity of muay thai as a striking art, I still share the view of many older martial artists that kickboxing is still the better martial art to watch. ***
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