Team Torogi cousins win in 1st AFP Cup: Muaythai Battle of the Best

COUSINS from Muaythai Team Torogi of Baguio showed what Igorot warriors are made of by winning their respective matches during the recently concluded 1st AFP Cup: Muaythai Battle of the Best Championship held at the jam-packed AFP General Headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City last June 16.

As the co-main event of the evening, Jay “The Kafagway Warrior” Olod, displayed stunning striking techniques against the gutsy Manila fighter Francis Rod Romero of Team USC.

A former member of the Philippine Muaythai Team and 2007 Southeast Asian Games bronze medalist, Olod showed the crowed his strong will to win the fight when he almost knocked his opponent out in the very first round by throwing combinations to the head against his opponent.

During the fourth and final round, both fighters gave their best shots but the “The Kafagway Warrior” proved to be the better fighter in his striking abilities.

This is Olod’s comeback fight after three years of being laid off from the ring due to his schooling.

In the main event of the evening, former Philippine Muaythai Team member and last month’s Battle of the Best champion, Alvin “Golden Boy 2” Velasco, gave his opponent a war in the ring as they battled for supremacy in the stand up event of martial arts.

He was pitted against veteran international professional campaigner Erinio “Tata” Galindez of Team SFS/USC.

It was a close and hard fight for both fighters as they gave their all and showed their muaythai expertise from the 1st to the 4th and final round.

Despite his opponent’s tenacity, the Igorot warrior won via unanimous decision. The team trained at Vitalite Gym prior to their fight.

Team Torogi’s head coach Brent Velasco shared his thoughts about the fight saying, “Our fighters did their very best in the ring. They showed that Igorots are going to fight and never to surrender in battles. Our team is still in its early stage but sooner or later, we will be competing in bigger events.”

The 1st AFP Cup: Muaythai Battle of the Best was presented by Fight for Glory Promotions of Kru Oriente Jun Dellosa Jr. and supported by the World-team USA Makati Chapter, W.B.C. Muaythai and AFP Chief of Staff Lt. General Jessie Dellosa. Hosted by 99.9 country’s “The Doctor.” (Bryan Olod)