Muay Thai national teams in training bouts in Sagada Etag Fest

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

TWENTY-ONE Muay Thai fighters squared off in a unique environment -- an outdoor ring and in a very cold evening -- where Southern Philippine players still tremble with the freezing climate after a rigorous fight.

The competition was staged as part of the 2nd Etag Festival and of the high altitude training of the Philippine team who will be competing in Russia.

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Eleven of the 21 competitors are from the Cordillera region, two are members of the Philippine Team.

The Philippine team members are being trained by no other than Ajarn (Master) Sane Tubtimthong, a Muay Thai master who choreographed the movie Beautiful Boxer.

Master Sane Tubtimtong said: “the cold climate is an excellent training for them in preparation of their fight in Russia.”

Tubtimtong praised the Cordilleran fighters. He said “they are strong with the help of the high altitude. They are very good but they need more technique.”

True enough, some of the Cordilleran fighters were able to defeat some of the non-Cordilleran fighters, but most of them lost against the better trained Philippine team members.

Tubtimgtong’s presence as coach to the Philippine team could mean the Filipino fighters will have better chance in their fight in Russia.

The first Sagada Muay Thai Female bout was won by Ultra Tan of Quezon City against Jamaica Lomecio of Benguet. It was followed by a bout between two members of the Philippine Team May Libao from Zamboanga and Krisna Limbaga from Dumaguete. Libao won by points.

The last women competition was won by points by Philippine team member Nur Ainie Abubakar of Zamboanga against Rochelle Lestino of Benguet.

The first male bout was stopped on the second round in favor of Darren Ngo of Quezon City winning over Jerome Laduan of Buguias. Rex Castro of Sagada surprised the crowd when he won by points against Philippine team member Manuel de los Reyes or Zamboanga.

The third bout was won by Philippine team member Jessie Bitaga against fellow Cordilleran Bonifacio Nasarao. Winning by points, Philippine member Philip Delarmino of Iloilo won against Bauko native Rex Was-o.

The fourth male bout was won by Philippine Team Mark Tura of Zamboanga against Felixander Bagayon of Kibungan, Benguet.

The female main competition was won by Maricel Subang of Benguet against Philippine Team Anna Marie Rey of Quezon City, while the semi-final male event was won by Philippine Team Benedicto Alumno of Baguio against Josephat Navarro of Tinoc, Ifugao.

The main event was won by Ryan Jakiri of Zamboanga against fellow Philippine Team member Jay Malubay of Cagayan de Oro.