ISKA Malaysia Championship Super-4 Pro Kickboxing results.

Kai Chee with YB Datuk Rozman Isli member of parliament of Labuan (on his right) and other VIPs

Labuan 30 DEC 2018.

It was a perfect closing to 2018 for ISKA Malaysia by having a title fight in Borneo Martial Arts Expo or which is call BMAEX in short. This year marks the 2nd edition of BMAEX as it continue its mission to bring together & unify martial arts.

BMAEX started on 28 DEC 2018 at palm beach Resort Labuan, consist of many martial arts activities, ie: expo, breaking challenge, forms competition, Sanda K1 tournament, seminars & workshop. The Pro Kickboxing event was on the final day and the climax was the ISKA Malaysia Super-4 bout fought at 72kgs

4 contender for Super-4 are :

Fikri Rozan (Kelab Labah Mas Baling), Kai Chee ( Kuala Lumpur), Mohd Hafiz (Kuda Kepang) and Chew Zhi Kong (D-30 Muaythai). (Click here to read about their profile here).

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First fight : Fikri Rozan vs Kai Chee.
Both the Muaythai stylist started slow with both fighters being cautious. Kai Chee was the aggressor, initiating attacks with combos of punch follow by knees & low kicks. 2nd round was the same but Kai Chee executing harder kicks & combos pressing Fikri to the ropes and Fikri given a standing 8 count. Round 3 was the same but Fikri being on the attack mode a few times but it was not enough to sway the judges decision, which was a unanimous win for Kai Chee.

2nd fight:
Mohd Hafiz vs Chew Zhi Kong.
Chew literally a newbie taking on his 1st pro Kickboxing bout faced the multiple champion Hafiz. Chew wasted no time & pushed forward with looping punches, connected few times but also open himself for many accurate counter punch to the head by the experience Hafiz. It was a close match in the first round. 2nd round was the same but the aggression level was up another level. Chew kept pressing with punches but Hafiz return fire that rock Che's head backward & bloodied his mouth. Towards the end of round both throws single punch at each other & both scored. Chew ended the round with a few knees
Knowing it was very close first two round, Chew launch into full attack mode twice that saw Hafiz given the 8 count. But Hafiz is still in the fight, after the 2nd time count, he was the one pushing forward with excellent combos that connects & knocks Chew's mouthguard out. Chew given standing 8 count. Fight restart & again Chew on the attack mode, throwing some jumping knees and referee stop the fight at 2:56 with merely 4 seconds left to give Chew a win by TKO.
An entertaining fight that both fighters should be proud of themselves for displaying grit & warriors heart.

FINAL:
Kai Chee vs Chew Zhi Kong.
Kai Chee with many outside low kick to Chew's lead leg unanswered. Chew tries to attack but Kai Chee's counter with punch & hard hooks. Twice Chew given standing 8 count. In the 2nd round saw Kai Chee seals the win connecting a few punch and connecting & staggered Chew for a full 10 count by referee.

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 Kai Chee is the Champion of ISKA Malaysia 72kgs Super-4.

Watch the whole fight & other pro Kickboxing bouts at:
warriors.asia/bmaex-2018/

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Story by T.Wallace

B-MAEX 2.0 PROGRESSING THE MISSION OF UNITY

Unite we stand, divided we fall. The idea to unite the martial arts community in Borneo is truly a noble one. Borneo has recently for the past few years seen tremendous growth in martial arts. Combat sports events are aplenty. Every one or two months or so there will be an event. Martial arts gym has grown in numbers. Number of participants are growing as can be seen in various championship that received good numbers of participants in the amateur categories. But sometimes too many of events can have negative effects. Participants becomes selective of events and quality of organisation may be affected too.

To further the growth, the community must unite. Unite in a sense where events are plan out in a orderly manners and ensuring no clashes of dates. Good events management ideas and best practice are shared among peers. Safety and fair rulings are implemented. Inculcate a culture of respect, sportsmanship and humility among martial artist.

These are the vision and objectives of B-MAEX (Borneo Martial Arts Expo). The idea that is started by Alvin Chong of Borneo Combat Gym Labuan and ISKA representatives Borneo has seen it materialised in Dec 2017. ( click here to read the story of 1st BMAEX )

The foundation was laid in the inaugural event last year where it was launch by Labuan member of parliament Datuk Rozman Isli. The event was successfully held in Labuan's Palm Beach Hotel. In that event. Aside from the hi-light of the show - ISKA National Championship, where pro fighters compete for various title belt, an amateur tournament was also held. Expo of Wushu, Silat, Capoiera, Karate forms was performed. The 1st tiles breaking contest was held. Technique workshop was also held and a talks on various martial arts topics was held given by 8 speakers.

Alvin Chong and the speakers presenting various topics in 2017

Datuk Rozman with some of the fighters at the launch dinner (2017)

Winners of the Pro Kickboxing category in 2017

Kickboxing is chosen as the main combat sports competition for BMAEX due to it's simplicity of rules and common techniques used, which means any martial arts stylist from either, TaeKwon-Do, Karate, Sanda, Silat, Muaythai can participate, this is part of the uniting factor advocate by BMAEX.

This year, the 2nd edition will be held again in the beautiful venue of Palm Beach Hotel on 28-30 DEC 2018. Labuan is chosen as it's seen as a neutral ground and this island present a ideal place for a year end get together to celebrate the year's achievement. Participants have the opportunity to enjoy sunny time at the beach, delicious seafood and endless shopping for duty free goods.

A second edition National Kickboxing championship will again be held with invitation to various countries to participate. This year will see fighters coming from Borneo, West Malaysia, China Australia & Philipines.

ISKA Borneo representative and BMAEX founder further adds that BMAEX aims to build Borneo as a powerhouse in Kickboxing. Muaythai is synonym to Thailand, Wushu Sanda to China, why not Kickboxing for Borneo. He also said that he plans to grow the championship to South East Asia level next year and following that to Asia and eventually World level competition.

To celebrate the beauty of martial arts, forms ( or pattern ) competition will also be held. It will be divided into traditional category and free style categories. This promise to be an entertaining shows as martial artist needs to display their chosen style in a strict traditional forms and then can apply the basic forms to create creative entertaining styles ( unarmed or with weapons ) with heart pumping music. 

Workshop and talks will continue to be a mainstay as BMAEX aims to not just be a platforms for fighters to showcase their skills but also a place for event organiser, fitness industry players, health food brands, tourism sector to come together to share ideas and best practice to further grow the industry. Celebrity martial artist Andy Teh and will share his experience together with Stanley Charles (Olympic Council of Malaysia), Brent Yap (MIMMA secretary), Dato Shah (president of MuayThai Malaysia), Nazri Abd Razak (President-Sabah MuayThai), Warriors of Borneo will be the official media partner and will together with ISKA make an official announcement on ways to go forward to standardise events results and collection of data to create the first ever Kickboxing fight records in the region.

According to Tan Chee Haw , this year's organising chairman in the press conference held on Wednesday (18 Oct) , BMAEX aims to be a place to gather all martial arts enthusiast to come together in a positive environment to learn from each other. Also to promote Labuan as a hub for sports tourism.

At the welcoming dinner, various contributor to the martial arts community will be presented with a B-MAEX momento. This is to recognize their contribution to the development of martial arts in the region of Borneo. In near future, Warriors of Borneo is working with B-MAEX to make an award night a reality in the near future.

Tan Chee Haw speaking to the media at the press conference

B-MAEX is Jointly organised by the Labuan Wushu Association, Labuan Sport Kickboxing Association (LSKA) and Borneo Combat Gym (BCG). Sanctioned by the International Sport Kick Boxing (ISKA) Borneo and supported by Youth and Sports Department here, Labuan Corporation (LC) as well as Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Labuan campus (UMSKAL).

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Story brought to you by SISU Mouthguard. As reader of #WRB, click here to get exclusive offer.

GRAND MERDEKA SUPER FIGHT FULL RESULTS

Last weekend was a triple whammy. The weekend of 25-26 August, saw the actions of  KK Int BJJ, Malaysian Fight Fest (in KL) and Grand Merdeka Super Fight. I had to cover 3 martial arts event, but I can only be at one physically.

But organising chairman, Johan Julian Lee Abdullah, kept me up to speed on the going ons at the event.

It was two days of action that happened at KK's latest mall - Grand Merdeka. Located around 30 mins drive from KK. It's good to see local mall coming forward to become venue sponsor for combat sports event. Knowing that combat sports event bring crowds. The participants, their team mates, supporters and families present a ready customers for their mall.

Grand Merdeka Super Fight also became an avenue for development of new talent. 1st day saw junior age kickboxers compete. Out of the 80 participants, half of them are participants in the kids & teens category which fought in 21 bouts.

On the 2nd day, adults category were held. 20 bouts were competed, 2 being the semi-pro title fight.

The event saw the participation of 14 teams + 3 independent fighters collected medals
D' Sha Muaythai from Tawau emerge overall champion with 7 champion & 3 runners-up medals.

 
Below is the results for the day 2 (adults category) :

Bout 1 -10

Bout 11-20

D'Sha Muaythai Team  - overall champion

On Day 1, saw MIMMA 5 Lightweight champion, Nathaniel Lakai of Warmonger Miri in action vs Kyo Kaede, former Muaythai champion whom is making a comeback in combat sports. This fight was specially arrange as the last fight on 25 August, which enabled Nathaniel to compete in KK Int. BJJ on 26 Aug.

It was in the class B catgeory (for fighter with 3 or more fight experience). It was a slow start as both feel out each other in the first round, but in later rounds, Nathaniel found his timing for good powerful combos, which saw an uppercut that put Kyo in an 8 count. Nathaniel won the bout via unanimous decision.

Nathaniel vs Kyo

Day 1 (kids & teens)

Day 2 (adults)

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Johan Julian wants to give shout out to coach Sharon Andrea Gerald of D'SHA MUAYTHAI , whom sent a huge contingent of kids & teens to participate.

Also to coach Dhillon Tahing of REVOLUTION GYM whom brought athlete from SMK Pulau Gaya. Coming all the way from the island to Grand Merdeka mall. Even their school principal & vice principal came to support.

This is good for the development of combat sports, to have committed coaches who sacrifice their time & effort to coach & guide youngsters and encourage them to participate in competition to enable them to grow their skills further & develop sportsmanship & camaraderie among other combat sports athletes.

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Some feedback Julian received is on the results which some coaches felt was unsatisfactory. Julian said he understood their feelings and is certainly something he would look into. But he hopes the coaches & their team understand that the organiser does not have any influence over the results.

As an ISKA sanctioned event, certified ISKA judges and referees are in charge of the decision. The referees and judges are separate from the organising team and organiser follow by the results given by them.

Moving forward, Julian said some gym need to pay attention on their fighters registering but was a no show. He advise that gym should be more responsible for this and have better planning.

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The two hi-light title bouts on day 2 certainly live up to it's name. It was very close fight as both title bouts ended in split decision. (click here to read the pre-event story)

Aziz Hoo Gwo Jye of Kinabalu Fighters won the 60kg Semi-pro title belt against Fadzly Bin Julai of Warmonger Miri. (click here to read Fadzly's pre-event story)

Daenver Randel Raphael of Kinabalu Fighters won the 85kg Semi-pro title belt against Zachenzie Zifyon Douni of Keningau MMA.

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FADZLY BIN JULAI WILL AIM TO BRING BACK GRAND MERDEKA SUPERFIGHT BELT BACK TO MIRI

This Sunday someone is going to go back with a title belt. One of the contender is Fadzly Bin Julai. This 22 year old from Miri will be fighting in Grand Merdeka Super Fight in Semi-pro K1 Kickboxing.

Warriors of Borneo had a chat with him when he arrived in KK after a few long hours drive from Miri.

How did you got involved in martial arts?
"Got involve in martial arts coz thought I would just give it a go. Always loved watching boxing as a kid. I am a Muhammad Ali lover. 

I was bored one day as I was living alone at the time and always wanted to be able to have some defensive ninja skills so I walked in Trevor Salang’s gym Warmonger and signed up. Was 19 at the time and still studying. Without having any martial arts back ground just crazy into football."

That was 3 years ago. Fadzly has since graduated with a Diploma in Hotel Management. Fighting is now his passion. As of date he has gathered experience in 4 Kickboxing bouts. After just 2 win in amateur Muaythai, he moved to pro fight.

"I was young, impatient and hate fighting in protective gears hahaha... so I went pro a lil bit too early and matched-up with some very experience dudes. So my pro Muaythai record isn't so pretty 1-4-0." 

Infact his 1st pro Muaythai fight was against Aziz 'The Shantung Zhai' back in 2016, in Bintulu CM Cup 60kg Superfight. He lost by decision in a 5 round fight.

This Sunday will be his rematch with Aziz. Although it's in Kickboxing rules, but Fadzly is confident to have the results on his side this time around.

Confident because he has put in all the hard work in a 5 weeks fight camp.

"A sample of my normal 1 session 
day of training. I start off with 7-8km run, then 24-30 mins of bag work, then its either pad rounds for stamina or to sharpen techniques or a combination of both. Then I will finish off with some calisthenics.

If I'm not doing pads I’ll be dishing out 6-10 rounds sparring with my team mates depending on their availability.

And if I have a double session for the day. In the morning is usually rope skipping for 30-40 mins, bag work 20 mins, then drilling of techniques, and sometimes finish off with some light sparring."

Strenght and conditioning is 1-2 times a week depending on my coach schedule."

I first saw Fadzly fight was in Sandakan's Elopura Fight this year May. I was eagerly waiting to watch Trevor Salang vs home town favourite, Shah (66 Unicorn). But unfortunately Trevor pull out due to injury and Fadzly replaced him.

Frankly speaking I didn't expect much from Fadzly. Him facing the very experience Shah in front of his home town crowd is certainly daunting but as the rounds progress I was impressed with how Fadzly was able to stand his ground and manage to strike back, although he lost, but he gave a great account of himself that day.

I asked him on that fight in Sandakan,
"That was crazy. Please bear in mind I had only 4 days to train for that fight as I was away in the UK for 6 weeks without training just run and sprints hahaha plus I need to cut 5kgs in those 4 days"

But I just couldn't let anyone else take that spot after Trevor pulled out hahaha again,... impatient."

Impatient he maybe, but Fadzly does not give up easily. He was in Labuan in July for a Super4 fight in STAND Muaythai. He lost the final fight to Champion Sunny Sabornido of BCG Labuan.

 Just a week ago in KL, he took a pro boxing match.

"It was for Lekir Ultimate Fight 2.0 . Got TKO by ref stoppage in the 2nd round. Clearly I wasn't ready for it hahaha.  Pro boxing was no joke. Especially against a real pro boxer from Singapore

But it was a good experience from me though, given that I was actually preparing for this K1 Super Fight this Sunday the whole time."

What is his long term plans...

"Currently I am working on opening a cafe with my brother and our partners. In terms of plan in martial arts, I’ll just go with the flow really. Keep training and fighting as usual. 

His thoughts on WARMONGER,

I go there train, do my thing, grow as much as I can with my team mates. There's not many of us who train to fight. Most of the members are there for fitness instead of fighting really. That's a challenge when it comes to finding different sparring partners I guess."

It takes a different breed of people to train, and step into the ring to fight. Fadzly is one of the rare few from Miri.

Come to Grand Merdeka Mall this Sunday and catch his fight against Aziz entrance ia FREE.

STAND - Time for The Junior to Come Out and Play

The rush beating of hearts, the hurried breathing from nervousness, heads spinning with so many thoughts of what you should or should not do...these are the feelings many experience before especially when they want to get in the ring to face their opponent. Most of this feeling is because of lack of experience. Usually after a few fights, most will learn how to deal with it and learn from the pass and move forward.

This is what STAND wants to achieve. To build the younger generation of fighters by giving them opportunity to fight. Fight among their peers, not someone older with more experience.

STAND Junior edition orgarnised by Karabaw and sponsored by Borneo Majubina and supported by MILO will go down this Saturday 20 May at Karabaw HQ gym in 88 Marketplace, Kota Kinabalu.

According to STAND founder Rayner Kinsiong, this is the first time in Malaysia Junior Title Belt are up for grab in 10 categories for boys and girls. The winners will need to defend their Title Belt in future STAND Junior event.

The fights are sanction by ISKA ( International Sports Karate Association ) and will be 2 mins x 3 rounds with 1 minute rest in between rounds, with amateur rules. Open to only fighters age below 18. Head gear, mouth guard and shin guard is a must to keep all fighters safe.

Team Karabaw Tamparuli, their Junior ready to come out and play!

STAND Junior edition will the fifth STAND event being organised. The original idea began with having a kickboxing event to be the platform to unearth and develop new talent in combat sports. Kickboxing under K1 rules are chosen because it uses rules that can benefit all type of stylist. Practioner of different style, such as Taekwon-Do, Karate, Silat, Kung Fu, Muaythai can get in the ring and compete in a common rules fight.

Rayner is very proud of the achievement and the progression of STAND so far, but he still harbour much hope that the state sports ministry are able to see the positive impact they are doing to the young people, and hope that the ministry will come in and support this effort.

He said he received many request from different districts such as Sandakan, Tambunan and Keningau to have STAND organised in their place because lots of people can see that STAND are able to move more young people to learn martial arts, to be active and live a healthy lifestyle.

He would love to full-fill their request, but obviously financing it is the biggest challenge. Organising a combat sports tournament is not a way to earn money. Many times he has to sacrifice his own time and invest his own money into making it happen. And he said without the constant supports from his family and his Karabaw family, STAND would not be what it is today.

MILO supporting the development of Junior Kickboxers. Myself with Rayner handing over the sponsored MILO

And most importantly too, is to have sponsors that are equally passionate about the event they are involve in. This is where he said he is very thankful to have Borneo Majubina Aidil Zakuan believing in the same objective and supporting the same cause as he does which together they have build STAND.

STAND is only in it's 2nd year, it is still in a developing stage but is surely charting it's course to have more events this year and years to come. With the support of all party, STAND hopes to make Borneo a powerhouse in Kickboxing, not just in producing more talents but also to become the premier Kickboxing event in Borneo.