Baguio City– Officers and members of the Northern Luzon Kickboxing Alliance declared the success of the First Kickboxing Championship Cup that saw a total of 31 kickboxing bouts and 62 martial artists who played and competed with each other last February 16.
The tournament during this Panagbenga Festival was participated in 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. Participating teams include 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, Fitness Box San Fernando City, among others.
Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan who graced the tourney said that Baguio City and the Cordillera compete very well in combative sports. He cited as example 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”.
The mayor used the exploits of Team Lakay fighters who are now regarded as sports heroes not only in Baguio and the Cordillera but in 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 to 31 bouts last February 16. The NLKA shall have two more tournaments (March 30 and 31) and the last weekend of April to complete its preparation for the expected selection players for the kickboxing national pool. It should be noted that kickboxing for the first time ever shall be included in the events to be played during the SEA games to be hosted by the country towards the end of this year.
Kru Noriel Aquisio of the Max Fusion Team and the chief referee of the tournament said that compared to the first tourney last November, players and coaches are now more familiar with the rules of kickboxing. Kickboxing rules being used are those promulgated by the World Alliance of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO), the world governing body of Kickboxing.
On His part, Sensei Edwin Aliong of Universal Martial Arts and the group’s matchmaker said that this early, some players have already distinguished themselves from the others. These players showed a lot of promise and are sure to be in the national pool.** By Joel B. Belinan
