GLORYA NATE - WINNING HEARTS WITH HER FACE, KICKS, PUNCH and CUP CAKES

When you are a women with a beautiful face, usually going into combat sports is the last thing you would do. Imagine getting bruised and cuts that will become scar. But this is the new era. The female gender is no longer the stereotype we used to think. The new era women are strong in all aspects, the mind, the heart and the body.

Warriors of Borneo talk to such a person, young Nak Muay name Glorya Nate from Sabah Khai Muay. Glorya is a familiar face in the local Muaythai & Kickboxing scene, being active in many local fights events. Blessed with a face that belongs to beauty magazine cover, she can seriously kick butt and bake up a storm too! 

Glorya most recently competed in Elopura Fights 2 in Sandakan. Although the results was not in her favour but she is high spirited and take it as a good learning experience. 

Glorya vs Linn in Elopura Fights 2

Let’s get to know her a bit better. 

Her full name is Glorya Nate Freddy born in the town of Kudat, 3 hours drive up north of Kota Kinabalu. But she grew up in Kota Kinabalu. She spend her high school life in two different schools. Form 1-4 in S.M All Saints, Likas but moved back to Kudat for her form 4-5 in S.M.K Matunggong. 

She then moved back down to KK to further her tertiary education when she turned 18 to attend Asian Tourism International College taking Diploma in Pastry Arts.

A great pastry chef in the making

Sharing her passion for pastry with her families

Glorya was exposed to martial arts from a young age as both her parents' father are ‘Guru Silat’ ( Silat master ), but her personal journey only began in 2015, when out of the curiosity of following her brother to Kinabalu Fighters gym in Lintas. She competed in K1 and Muaythai and has garnered 9 fight record. She now is a full time Muaythai athlete in the Sabah SUKMA team. 

Glorya ( blue ) competeing in amateur Muaythai

We ask Glorya what interest her in competing ? Aren’t she worried of getting her pretty face hit?
“I believe that everyone have their own passion in something and my passion is Muaythai. I am not scared to get hit in the face but of course I won’t let my opponent hit my face for free haha. I will never go this far without all the people that has been supporting me and have their trust on me since day one." 

How is like dividing your time between training, studies and family time?
“It is never easy to balance out my studies, training and fighting. Especially when I have a kitchen class and at the same time I need to cut weight. For now I have pass all my subjects and decided to defer my practical to focus in SUKMA in Perak in September later this year." 

"My family especially my dad are very supportive since he was a national athlete for kayak back in 1997 . He is now 51 years old and still competing. We always support each other even though our passion is for different sports."

competing in Kickboxing

Glorya used to train at Borneo Tigers MMA in Inanam. She now trains at Sabah Khai Muay, a new training center set up by Sabah Muaythai Association for state Muaythai athlete. One of the reason for me switching gym is because of the location. 

“ I am staying in Papar area now and Sabah Khai Muay is closer. Also it is normal for a fighter to switch from one gym to another gym/trainer to grow in their skills. 

But even though I’m in a different gym now. I still respect, honour and remember my previous coaches and gym. I felt privileged to be able to learn from them. My coach in BTMMA is a very good coach he will never give up on his fighters.” 

with coach Rayner Kinsiong at Sabah Muay Thai camp Papar

Glorya with her previous BTMMA coach Marc (right) and team mates in Labuan Borneo Amateur Challenge (BAC)

competing in Kickboxing in BAC4

Please take us through your fight in Elopura Fights 2. What happened? 

Pro level is on another platform and I wanted to feel how my training really works in pro rules Muaythai. Elopura Fights 2 was my pro debut and I participated to gain more experience. 

I fought in amateur level a lot. In amateur rule it is more focus on gaining point, while in pro rules aggressiveness is key. I was carried away with amatuer game plan instead of imposing my will and a bit shocked on the impact from the strikes because there’s no protection gear for pro. I accept that I lost the match but I gain good experience, I will definitely learn from this and will comeback stronger.”

I will be back stronger!

ELOPURA FIGHTS 2 - DEFENDERS OF ELOPURA

Welcome fight fans to Sandakan. The former capital of Sabah ( during the British colonial era ). The biggest city in the east coast of Sabah, Sandakan is also widely promoted as the nature city with many natural attractions for visitors to enjoy.

Combat sports event may not be the top draw for visitors to Sandakan, but Mohamad Ajman Ajmain is just trying to change that; through Elopura Fights. 

This weekend 10-11 March, will see close to 100 Muaythai fighters converge in Sandakan for the 2nd edition of Elopura Fights. 

Mohamad Ajman Ajmain or fondly known as Maman is the president of Sandakan Muaythai Association. He is also the deputy president of Sabah Muaythai Association and has been working passionately developing Muaythai in Sabah.

Elopura Fights is organised by Sandakan Muaythai Association and supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia, Malaysia Muaythai Association and Sabah Muaythai Association

Let's get to know more about Maman, the man behind Elopura Fights. 

Maman was born in Tawau in 1979, another city in the east coast of Sabah, around 4 hours drive from Sandakan. His interest in martial arts began during his childhood. Having a father whom was a martial arts instructor certainly helps.

"My late father, Ajmain Abd Ghani was active in martial arts. He was a Silat teacher 'Guru Silat' and also manager of Taekwondo Team in Tawau back in the 80's. 

Our home had always been visited by so many people from all over Malaysia

I remember many people from Kelantan and Kedah came (and brought so many food including keropok lekor) for various reasons; some came to learn and quite a few came to challenge my father for a spar. There were also visitors from Indonesia during those days. That influenced my interest in the art of fighting."

In his teenage years, Maman developed an interest in boxing and started learning basic boxing. He also picked up a bit of Tomoi during his uni days (1999-2000) from his Kelantan and Pendang friends. To the extend of even going to their village during semester break to learn more techniques.

His involvement in Muaythai began back in 2011, it was a visit to to Cikgu Alang's house. That night he was hosting an introductory Muaythai seminar which was conducted by Kru Bernard Radin (Vice President of Persatuan Muaythai Malaysia). 

In that seminar Maman began to realise that Muaythai is growing fast as a sports in Malaysia and has commercial value. That was when he started to think of setting up a Muaythai club and training gym, which he eventually formed and named it 66 Unicorn.

Maman works as an immigration officer and ever since he got promoted is now base in Limbang in the state of Sarawak. Which is 10 hours drive from Sandakan. But this does not deters him from making sure Elopura Fights are well organised. With a strong team that supports him at Sandakan, all things gets done. He name his reliable team AskarHantu 66.

"Because they are like ghosts. They are mostly active at night and when they do their work, you don't notice anything today, but suddenly in the morning the work is done."

Warriors of Borneo talks to Maman about Elopura Fights.

This is Elopura Fights second edition (EF2), can you give us a little background on how this event came about?
First Muaythai Event that we organized in Sandakan was Dynamite Naksoo: Asia Fight Tour, Sandakan back in 12th December 2015. Its a collaboration with our Australia counterpart Dynamite Naksoo Muaythai. The event was so succesfull that we started to plan to do another one. 

The second event we did was Elopura Fights (12-13 August 2016) which we collaborated with Boxxtomoi Asia and KL7. We decided to use Elopura Fights as our event name to reflect the locality of the event. Elopura (Elok + Pura) which means Beautiful Land is what Sandakan used to be called once upon a time.

We were planning EF 2 once we completed EF. It was supposed to be held April 2017, but I was promoted and transferred to Sarawak so we have to postpone the event. I was just trying to settle down at my new workplace and cant focus on EF 2. So the project was kept in a drawer until last December 2017. We met with Denz Artisan Coffee Roasters and he expressed his interest in sponsoring our Muaythai Event. After some discussion we agreed to organize EF 2: Defenders of Elopura.

2016 event was very successful, not just for the fights but also the pre-event, you have the Triton convoy, Superbike Convoy, a great welcoming dinner, opening performance by Persatuan Seni Silat Gayong Malaysia. What can be expected this year?
This year we are focusing on the fights. We have gathered 38 professional fighters from all over Malaysia including 3 Thai Fighters and 1 from India. We are trying to make it all about the fight first. We have not planned to do any gimmick. Straight to business. Muaythai fights galore.



Can you share on the itinerary for EF2? 
We will have amateur fights from 9am to 4pm. 

There will be 32 amateur bouts, and 3 Semi pro ladies bouts. It will be in super fight format. 

Some of the Defenders of Elopura from 66 Unicorn will see action in amateur fights ( come and support - ammy fights is free entrance )

The Pro fights will begin at 7pm. 9 pro bouts on the first night and 10 pro bouts on the 2nd. The highlight of the 1st night  (10 March)  is Elopura Fights 50kg Champion Belt between local Sandakan favorite fighter Riedzwan Norsyahmie vs Hunson ak Kayan from Sarawak. 

For your info Riedzwan Norsyahmie was the bronze Medallist in 2017 IFMA World Youth Championship Bangkok in August 2017 and Gold Medalist in 2017 World Youth Martial Art Mastership, South Korea in November 2017. But the fightcard is so stacked that all bouts will promise smoking hot fights. 

On second night (11 March) the Elopura Fights 57kg Champion Belt will be the highlight. It will be between Sabah best Muaythai fighter Shah 'Black Machine' against Sarawakian Muaythai Hero Trevor Salang. It will be blazing hot! But then again the fightcard for second night will also be so stacked that I can't say which one will be the hottest bout.

We also have 2 Female Pro bouts 1 each night that will pit Tu Sin Yee (66 Unicorn) against Magdelina (Tomoi Labuan) on the 10th and Linn (66 Unicorn) against State athlete Glorya Nate (Sabah Khai Muay) on the 2nd night.

Tell us about your team, 66 Unicorn. What does the name signify? Share with readers the journey of you starting the gym, the development, the challenges, the achievements and the future.
66 Unicorn Muaythai. The number 66 is actually taking the spirit of Sabahan leaders Double 6 tragedy. They fight for Sabahan right until the end of their lives. Hence our motto 66 Never Surrender. 

Unicorn is a mythical creature which is the opposite of the usual creature many of the fight gyms use. This is more to my philosophy of how we should carry ourselves. 

We want to be humble. We don't want to look like a dragon but fight like a pussycat. UNICORNS are deceivingly sweet and cute but once we fight we will fight to the death. 

Maman : the beginning of 66 Unicorn 

with Kru Bernard Radin during Basic Muaythai course and Khan upgrading in 2013

Maman sharing his knowledge in the gym. Maman is head coach ( technique & tactical ) . Dr Sanjay serve as Strenght & Conditioning coach & team doctor. Other Trainers are Najib, Azhar, Watie & Muliadan

I believe in Sandakan only 66 Unicorn is the only active gym/team in Muaythai/ kickboxing...how do you see the development of martial arts in Sandakan in general.

Yes you are not far off. So far 66 Unicorn is the only active team from Sandakan. 

We have been trying to invite more people to open up a gym/training centre in Sandakan and so far there are a few that started to set up training gyms. But they are quite 'shy'. We will organize a meeting in the near future to find out what can we do to help.

Upgrading in progress. 

spanking new upgrade done at their gym located at Bandar Utama Sandakan

In 66 Unicorn, you have a team of juvenile fighters and some newbies, tell us your team's development program? What is your expectations this year for them.

Yes we do have a team of juvenile fighters and newcomers. We have been doing the same thing since the beginning. We emphasize on the strong foundation of Muaythai. We don't do fancy stuff. We do basic, basic and basic. 

We instill the importance of fight IQ to our fighters. And we put fitness as one of the most important thing for our fighters. This year will be a good year and we expect some of our boys and girls to represent Sabah to the nationals and hopefully some will also be selected to represent the country again. 

three generations of champion ( from Left : Shah, Rahmad & Syamie )

Fighters from Sandakan, who is the upcoming one to look out for? 

• Riedzwan Norsyahmie 'Golden Shin' 17yo
• Faiz 'Harimau Kumbang' 14yo
• Rahmad 'Mat Kool' 14yo
These are the upcoming fighters that will be a force to be reckoned with in Sabah Muauthai scene in my humble opinion.

How do you go about promoting EF2? Any assistance from government agency ?

We have full cooperation from Sabah Sports Commisioner, Ministry of Youth and Sports Sabah, Sandakan Municipal Council and the Police. Our promotion is going on smoothly. 

Amateur fights in the day time is free entrance .
For the Pro fights to get your tickets please call:

Tea Library: +601116043075
Herman Bin Usman: 0128423785
Frank Setter: 0128014589
Mienn Manyon: 0145503066
Rioo Alexandria: 01110032302
Rams Thokke: 0178383996

Elopura is an old name for Sandakan, I see that u are also using EF2 as a tool to promote Sandakan in sports tourism. What was the response like from participants?

( outside Sandakan ) base on last year's event.

The response was very good. From the feedback we get, most of them can't wait to come back to Sandakan and join our event. They also spread good things about Sandakan hospitality in their hometown. We are glad.

For first timer in Sandakan, what do you recommend them for food? Places of interest and activities?

Sandakan is a food haven. From Seafood to Indonesian food to Western food to our local delicacies, you name it, we have it! But our SEAFOOD is second to none; so don't miss the opportunity to experience it yourselves.

For place of Interest there are many, From Sepilok Orang Utan sanctuary, Crocodile Farm, and beautiful islands like Selingan, Lankayan, Bakungan. If you are lucky you might get to see turtles laying eggs!

FIGHT FEST 4: THE ART OF COMBAT FULL RESULTS

The iconic mall of Centre Point Sabah was crowded with enthusiastic spectators on 7-8 October 2017. All of them glued their eyes and focus their attention on the Muaythai ring of Fight Fest.
Fight Fest returned with it's 4th edition and again wowed the crowds with plenty of martial arts action and activities.

Event founder Johan Julian again pointed out that Fight Fest continue to work with public mall where there are ready crowds for two reasons;
1st - to give more exposure of different type of martial arts to the masses, so that their interest will be sparked and may take up classes at the different martial arts gym in Sabah which in return will grow the industry.
2nd reason; that usually fighters will be supported by family and friends, and these group of people can in return bring business to the mall. Hence a win win situation for both parties.

For Day 1 ( 7 October ), Novice Muaythai tournament was organised. More than 50 participants took part. This tournament was organised together with Persatuan Muaythai Daerah Kota Kinabalu, with the sole purpose of unearthing more new Muaythai talents for Sabah.

Sabah have numerous Muaythai gym and for those that has taken up Muaythai and have been training hard, the only way to gauge what they have learnt is to test it out in the competition ring, hence the effort to organise this tournament, to enable newcomer to put into action what the months of practice they have gone through.

Kids Muaythai was also competed, but for Fight Fest, Julian's said the kids Muaythai is more of an exhibition match to give exposure for the participants. All fighters for kids Muaythai was awarded gold medals to give them motivation and encouragement.

Kids Muaythai

Next to the Muaythai ring, grappling mat was set up for BJJ & Mata Leao Submission Grappling. This was oversee by the Brazilian Luta Livre Asia Pacific Union led by Antonio Battistessa and Persatuan BJJ Negeri Sabah led by Soh.

Day 2 saw the Mata Leao No-Gi Submmission grappling held. 2 category was competed. White belt Absolute & Blue/Purple Belt Absolute.

In the White belt category, emerging talent from Borneo Tribal Sq, Alexander Fong emerged as the Champion. This victory was sweet for him as he enter the category as the lightest and smallest of all the competitor.

Alexander Fong in action

Mata Leao Submission Grappling continued with the Blue /Purple Belt category. Eazy Anuar of Brunei dominated and took home the coveted Fight Fest : Mata Leao Title Belt.
It was certainly memorable victory as this came from overcoming a pool of very accomplished grapplers.
In the category saw MIMMA 3 Semi-finalist & JFL 2015 finalist Samuel Lai from Borneo Tribal Sq returned back to competition after a long hiatus. Team Relentless India founder former Judoka Jitendre Khare and his team mate Susovan Ghosh also competed.

Eazy representing Walid Brothers is a former Brunei national team rugby player who took up BJJ to supplement his rugby training many years back and it became his no.1 passion. Leading the Team Bussido in Brunei, Eazy and team actively participate in numerous BJJ / Grappling tournament around Asia, and always brought back good results home.

Eazy most recently in August represented Brunei to the IBJJF World Masters in Las Vegas and reached the quarter finals in a stacked category of  62 athletes from all over the world.

proud owner of the 1st FIGHT FEST MATA LEAO title belt

K1 Kickboxing Superfight was the order of the 2nd half of the day with 11 bouts altogether. Kickboxing matches are sanction by ISKA. The hi-light being the 60kg K1 Kickboxing Title Fight between Aziz 'The Shantung Kid' vs Reyan 'Pemburu Bayang'
( click here to read the pre-event story on the main event fight )

Reyan being awarded the Fight Fest 60kg Kickboxing Title Belt

Reyan & Aziz together with representative from sponsors, POWEROOT, DEKOJUTA & CENTREPOINT

As for non competition activities, crowds and spectators was treated to plenty of activities.

Martial arts demo was conducted by Evolution Fight Team led by Master Stephen Koh and Silat Gayong by Persatuan Seni Silat Gayong Ma'arifat Malaysia - Cawangan Sabah.

Former SEA games Gold medalist Michelle Koh took center-stage before the title fight leading her group of dancer bringing her energetic Fuze Fitness to entertain and got everyone in a dance mood.

Taekwon-do & Silat demonstration

Virtual Reality games by VIRTUAL DIMENSION

Hilmi Reitz with his Combat Science

Michelle Koh's FUZE FITNESS

Power Root sponsors the fitness challenge

RAMPAGE fight gear

Iylia with his Fight Comics tee

Congrat to Reyan and KINABALU KINGS team for a succesful outing at FIGHT FEST