by The 12th national Kickboxing championship concluded yesterday with team NCD leading the way with seven gold, four silver and three bronze medals.
PNGKBA president Stanley Nandex and guest judge WKF president George Pergailais selected fighters for the world championships later in the year in Croatia.
The fights were 2 x 2 minute rounds with a one minute third round tie breaker – if needed.
Yesterday was the better of the two-day event with the finals.
Hollywood actors Don “The Dragon” and Cynthia Rothrock watched the Saturday fights before flying to the US yesterday.
In the junior bouts, Morobe’s Abel Yaniva proved too quick for his NCD opponent Ferman Nandawe in the 55-60kg final.
In the 60-65kg division, Bryan Wai of the Eastern Highlands walked away with a gold medal after knocking out two of his three opponents.
The 65-70kg division saw Wata Lepon of the EHP win by point against John Dawa Anton of Chimbu.
The most anticipated of the junior fights was the 75-80kg bout between East New Britain’s Chriony Toliman and Raymond Tio of Madang. Both had shown themselves to be smart fighters, using finesse and not just brute strength. Toliman in particular being from a newly established ENB club fought all his fights prior to the finals like a seasoned veteran.
The fight was nothing less than the talking point of the day.
Toliman ended the bout in dramatic fashioned flooring Tio with a body shot prompting the referee to stop the bout and award the win via technical knockout.
The bout lasted all of five seconds after which Tio was seen in extreme discomfort vomiting while being treated by ring staff.
Pergailais said it was an impressive stoppage.
In the female division, Lisa Karimba won gold for Madang.
The senior finals started off with the 55-60kg all Madang bout, which Levi Kebing won on points.
The 60-65kg division saw NCD’s crowd favorite David Nane overpower Hela’s Max Nape.
In the 65-70kg division final, a lucky draw for the winner was done as both NCD Fighters Dickson Dii and Alex Wargarop were unable to take the ring.
Dickson’s luck got him the win.
In the 70-75kg bout, Alphonse Kauga looked to have beaten John Ake but the win was strangely awarded to John.
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