THE Team Cebu City Muay Thai squad is seeing action against some of the elite fighters in the country in the National Muay Thai Championships on Nov. 15 to 20 at the Multi-Purpose Arena of the Philsports Complex in Pasig City.
A total of 13 Cebuano Muay Thai fighters will be fighting under the guidance of Muay Thai Association of the Philippines-Visayas head Master Benigno “Ekin” Caniga Jr.
The team will be led by MMA veteran Roel Rosauro and Master Ekin’s nephew Andrie Caniga, a Batang Pinoy double gold medalist.
“They have been training non-stop after Batang Pinoy. We are sending our promising fighters and I believe that we can do well against other top kickboxers in the country,” Master Ekin said.
Team Cebu City had a successful stint in last September’s Batang Pinoy Finals in Baguio City.
Cebu City bagged a total of 11 medals from four three golds, four silver and four bronzes. Cebu City finished fourth overall behind host Baguio City, Quezon City and Sta Rosa City.
The other fighters in the team are Uchenna Onunkuso, Augustine Antiporta, Allan Albindo, Amocesar Petallana, Jhon Simbahon, Buel Algono, Rey Velasco, Reymond Berandoy, Radel Dela Cerna, Mark Alforque and Ulysses Martinez. Team Cebu City leaves for Baguio City tomorrow.
Master Ekin wants to strengthen Cebu’s grassroots program for Muay Thai after the International Olympic Committee granted Muay Thay a provisional recognition as an Olympic Sport.
The National Muay Thai Championships is a selection process for the Philippine National Muay Thai Team, which will compete in various international tournaments that includes the upcoming 2019 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines. (EKA)