B-MAEX: Alvin Chong's journey to unite Borneo's martial arts

Alvin Chong, or popularly known as AC Poseidon has a lofty vision for martial arts in Borneo. A vision not for himself personally but for the Borneo martial arts community as a whole. He is taking the first step into making this vision a reality by organising Borneo Martial Arts Expo (B-MAEX) this 29 - 31 DEC 2017 in Palm Beach Hotel, Labuan.

The vision: to unite the martial arts community in Borneo.

When Alvin organised the 1st pro Muaythai event in Miri 7 years ago, there was virtually no big combat sports event in Borneo. He was the first doing so and he brought in 20 fighter from 9 different country, 4 of them World Champion.

Fast forward to 2017, combat sports events has become a norm. This is because for the pass 5-6 years, the martial arts industry has seen a tremendous growth in Borneo. Many combat sports event are being held from time to time and location wise Kota Kinabalu being the hotbed for many of these events.

The fastest growing sports in the world is MMA. In Malaysia MIMMA has boosted this growth. Through it's nationwide selection roadshow, has lead to many martial artists cross training between stand up style with grappling art such as BJJ, Judo and now Luta Livre. Selected qualifier will need to attend all their fights in Kuala Lumpur, which pose financial challenge for most fighters.

The demand for local base MMA promotions gave rise to Borneo Fighting Championship. Then other promotions sprouted; Jesselton Fighting Championship (JFL), Borneo Amatuer Challenge (BAC), Fight Fest and most recently Rampage FC.

Amateurs Muaythai events are very consistently held in Borneo, driven by Sabah Muaythai Association and Sarawak Muaythai Association. Fight fans also are serve with regular pro Muaythai events with D1 Fighting Championship establishing itself as a front runner.

The grappling art is also a growing segment. Pioneered by Persatuan BJJ Negeri Sabah's Headhunters, we now have Sabah BJJ open, Fight Fest - Mata Leao, and most recently two huge international event ; Sabah Grappling Quest and Copa De Borneo, which happened on the exact same dates on 9-10 Dec 2017.

K1 Kickboxing and boxing events are also on the rise. Among the promotions holding such events are STAND, FIGHT FEST and BAC.

The above list of promotions looks extensive isn't it? This does not even take into account the local Karate, TaekwonDo, Silat, Boxing tournament under their respective association.

To the outsider this looks like a healthy situation, but the fact is, it has become a problem on to itself. Why? because, generally the contestant that is taking part are of the same people. Population wise Borneo numbers are still small.

The number of competitors taking part in combat sports are only a fraction of the population and now that the concept of cross training is the norm, hence making the same competitors wanting to take part in many different promotions. This situation worsen when events dates are close to each other, worst still when they clash.

If this goes on, sooner or later, these events may face challenge in getting enough participants or crowd to make ends meet.

So how would B-MAEX solve this problem?

First of all, as a venue, Labuan serve as a perfect location as it's neutral ground and is in between Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah. As the organising chairman Alvin believe one of the way to solve the above problem is to have an event that house all the promotions, enabling B-MAEX to give recognition to Borneo's combat sports promoter. Recognise them as a pioneer, innovator and a leader in their field.

For instance, STAND - as the leading amateur kickboxing and boxing promotions. FIGHT FEST - as the hybrid event hi-lighting K1 Super Fight, amateur Muaythai and No-Gi grappling. RAMPAGE - as the progressive amatuer MMA promotions, JFL - as the premier MMA promotions with pro fights, BAC - as Labuan amatuer kickboxing and MMA event that combine referee course and seminar. D1 FC - as the region's premier pro Muaythai promotions.

With this recognition, the plan is to sit down all organisers and plan out a schedule of events that can benefit each other. Co-promoting and cross promoting, supporting each other's event.

For example; STAND can focus on boxing and have quarterly fights in a year and the champions of each quarter to meet in a year end climax in B-MAEX to crown a grand champion. Fight Fest with their Kickboxing and Rampage with their MMA.

Every organiser get to showcase their own event and all climax in a year end show down of quality fights and coming together in one event to celebrate unity in diversity.

The welcoming dinner on 29 DEC to launch B-MAEX will be the night for the martial arts community in Borneo to come together as one and recognise each other's contributions in the industry.

For Warriors of Borneo, I have shared before my own dream of having an award night to crown perhaps, Fight of the Year, Fighter of the Year, Best Rookie, Best KO of the Year, etc,...thankfully Alvin shared the same aspiration, with the first gala night in B-MAEX this year, will set the ball rolling to make the award night a good possibility in future B-MAEX.

The welcoming dinner and opening ceremony will be grace by Labuan member of parliament, YB Datuk Rozman Bin Datuk Haji Isli

B-MAEX is not just about competitions on the mat / ring, it's also about educating and sharing of knowledge. Pioneered by BAC the ISKA referee course for Kickboxing and MMA under the tutelage of Master Khoo will continue to produce more qualified officials. For B-MAEX the referee course will be conducted on 29 DEC.

On 30 DEC night a seminar will be held with speakers from various field sharing their knowledge and experience, it's free and open to all to attend to broaden their mind and learn something that will benefit the martial arts community.

I am honour to be invited as a speaker to share a topic on Relationship with Media. And feel humble to be among these great minds.

Technique workshops will also be held. For this first B-MAEX, it presents Chinese Wresting under Master Wang of China and Luta Livre grappling under Coach Antonio Battistessa

But that is not all, B-MAEX also aim to broaden the activities of martial arts in Borneo. As a representative of International Sports Karate Association (ISKA) for Borneo, Alvin has the support of his mentor Master Khoo Meng Yang (ISKA rep for South Eat Asia), will introduce new events such as free style martial arts forms performance, power breaking competition lead by Coach Adey of Brunei, under the sanctioning of ISKA. Sanda, Silat and other martial arts are also in the plan.

A pro K1 Kickboxing match, sanctioned by ISKA and co-promoted by Boxxtomoi will be the hi-light of this first B-MAEX. Just look at the fight cards, bringing the best of the best from West Malaysia, Australia, Philipines, Labuan and Sabah.

Super 4 57kg will be the main card

Brothers Jordan Boy and Nidal 'The Joker' of Sampuri Gym KL has won the previous STAND semi-pro belt. They will be back determine to bring back the inaugural B-MAEX pro belt

Below is the program for B-MAEX. 3 days of martial arts action, learning, will end with a year end party!

It is certainly not an easy task to make this dream come through. Aside from the coming together of all martial artist helping out, sponsors are keys in making this event a reality. We salute the sponsors in supporting this dream. This is the first step to make history in Malaysia and the region to make Borneo the center of martial arts excellence!

BAC4: SHOWDOWN IN LABUAN

Come Saturday 4 March, around 60 warriorsts from all over Borneo will again converge for the 4th time in the tiny island of Labuan. This is Borneo Amateur Challenge 4! ( BAC4)

BAC is organised by Borneo Combat Gym of Labuan. In one short year in 2016, BAC has successfully been organised 3 times. Held in the roof top of Labuan Times Square inside BCG, overlooking Labuan's scenic harbour view, it has steadily built a reputation as the premier amateur martial arts competition in Borneo.

Labuan's economy is in the doldrums this pass 2 years when oil price went low and affected badly the oil and gas industry which is the lifeline of Labuan's industry. The local authorities has since try to revive Labuan's tourism sector to liven back the business sector in Labuan.

In a way the economic downturn is good for the fitness industry. People tend to spend less in the club and night life and opt to vent out their stress in the gym...these creates good , motivated fighters. BAC also attract participants from Brunei, Sarawak & Sabah which brings in the much needed tourism revenue for Labuan, when these participants spend shopping and on food and beverages.

This year Ronald Tee is leading the BCG team as the Organising Chairman for BAC4. According to Ronald,
" Tourism Malaysia involvement will further strengthen our BAC branding and as well to establish better rapport for BCG not only in Labuan but as well in Malaysia. For this year, it will be the first time BAC event being listed in Calendar of Events 2017 by Tourism Malaysia. This strategy co-operation is ideal for mutual benefits and help to boost the local tourism industry"

Coach Alvin Chong, the founder of BCG is a visionary. He doesn't just want BCG to be a place where fighters come and train for fitness and be able to compete, but also building their confidence and character through martial arts. BAC is a way he builds this soft skills for his team of coaches.

Alvin and his BCG team promoting BAC4

Letting them lead in organising events and competition will help them develop good management skills that will help them to be better leaders. As leaders, in turn he hopes they will contribute back to the communities in helping others.

Ronald leading the BCG committee meeting

I ask Ronald on how is the experience so far as the organising chairman.

"It has been a privilege for being selected by Coach Alvin as BAC4 Organising Chairman. The experience is overwhelming but yet gratifying as I have been given a chance to learn on collaborating with sponsor, managing and working with the team, enabling and fostering interpersonal relationship and as well as building my leadership skills."

Aside from being a fighter and coach, Ronald is also a certified referee

BAC4 together with STAND & FIGHT FEST in Sabah, is also a continuation of selecting potential athletes for a place in the National K1 Championship, planned to the held in Labuan end of 2017. BAC is a offial ISKA sanction fight.

The hi-light of BCG4 is the Super4 MMA. The fighters involved are Ericorry of Keningau MMA, Shah Rizam of Labuan Tomoi, Md Noor Gani of Team Karabaw and Lu Yi representing Naga Knabalu.

The 1st leg of this Super4 MMA will see Ericcory vs Rizam, 2nd leg is Noor Gani vs Lu Yi.

The winner of 1st leg vs the winner of 2nd leg will be the main event of the night.

The champion will receive a championship cup sponsor by Keningau MMA (KMMA)

According to Mohd Bin Bakri, founder of KMMA, 

" I'm glad to sponsor the championship cup, as this will help develop the sports. KMMA has just moved to a newer and better premises and I'm happy that KMMA has grow and many of our fighters has gain much experience by participating in BAC. This is my way of giving back."

Mohd and his fight team

Ericcory of KMMA is from Tamparuli but has been in Keningau for the last 10 years. At 23 this year, martial arts has always been his interest but never had a chance to take it up until in 2015 when he walked in the doors of KMMA, following a friend.

Ever since, Ericcory has absorb all that has been taught and is raring to go. He participated in BCG and Fight Fest and has a current record of 2-1. Ericcory will rely on his grappling skills as he has develop it through Luta Livre taught by coach Mohd himself and coach Antonio Battistessa of Sabah Top Team. Recently he also took up a MMA seminar in Sabah Top Team taught by coach Mark Sangiao, the successful MMA coach of Team Lakay, Philipines.

In the 2nd leg, look out for Md Noor Gani of Team Karabaw. He is a striker with some amateur MMA experience from Jesselton Fight League. He also fought pro before in freestyle martial arts in the 2016 ONE Silat.

His opponent Lu Yi was train by Master Tang of D-30 Muay Thai Miri. He has since moved to Kota Kinabalu and now represent Naga Kinabalu. This young lad is ferocious in terms of learning. What he lacks in techniques he made it up with relentless spirit, which saw him participating in various martial arts events such as BJJ, Pro Muaythai, No Gi Grappling, MMA and Kickboxing.

In the co-main event is the MMA Super Fight of Joel Nickolson Lawrence (Sabah Top Team) vs Mohd Rizal ( Team Karabaw ). This is a good match as both are strikers. Joel is more technical from his background in Taekwondo.

Joel initially wanted to fight at 56kg but organiser could not find him a match at that weight and Rizal stepped up and they agree to fight at 62kg.

Joel is the semi-finalist of 2016 MIMMA4 losing to eventual champion Damon Soo. He has a record of 3-2. In last year's Jesselton Fight League in 1 Borneo, Joel defeated Australian Nathan Hynes with a standing guillotine, a month later he fought in Fight Fest 3 but lost to Mohd Hasbullah in a thrilling match.

Joel will be relying on the great learning he got from Coach Mark Sangiao in the MMA seminar he attended at Sabah Top team with Ericcory.

Mohd Rizal or known as Ladda to his friends was also feature in JFL last year. He fought Indian Rudranash but lost in a 3 rounds decision. In that fight Rizal has still not fully recovered from his fight a few weeks before in National Muaythai selection, but Rizal showed tremendous fighting spirit...always moving forward and actively looking to engage.

To those who knows him, they attribute one of his strength to his mental fortitude. Rizal has a never retreat never surrender attitude. His is not bothered by pain and taunt. He says he will turn into a beast when he enter the cage. But outside it, he says he is a friendly person. Rizal has experience in Muaythai, Kyokushinkai Karate and K1 and Pro Silat in ONE Silat tournament.

In Sabah Fight last Dec, Rizal fought in the co-main event vs Madjais Opong. He executed an excellent combos of kicks and punches in the fourth round to end the fight with a TKO.

Expect fireworks tomorrow when this two meet!

Competition will start at 9am tomorrow till 7pm. Stay tuned to Warriors of Borneo Blog FB for updates.

BAC 3 : ELTO & LIYANA WINS THE JY CUP

Borneo's martial arts scene was closed with some kicking action in Labuan. The Borneo Amateur Challenge 3 was successfully organised by Borneo Combat Gym Labuan (BCG) on 17 DEC 2016.

16 teams from Labuan, Kota Kinabalu, Keningau, Tamparuli, Miri, Brunei and Kuala Lumpur took part in this event which offered 11 categories for K1 amateur fights, 3 categories for MMA amateur and 2 categories for K1 semi pro fights. 

And the main event was for JY Cup for the Male Super 4 and the Female Super Fight. This Cup was offered to honour the memory of BCG's co-founder Joseph Yew. Read about this in my previous post (click here)

Borneo Combat Gym Labuan grabbed overall team champion with 4 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 Bronze and the Male Super 4 Champion JY Cup 

 

Elto Jai from Borneo Combat Gym Labuan fought through 3 exciting rounds to win his debut Super 4 semi pro K1 fight against PG Mohd Dinie from 018 MMA Gym Brunei.

Earlier on, Elto beat Morris Hii from D-30, Miri while PG Mohd Dinie won his fight against Writh Kataposan from KMMA.

Super 4 participants.

Elto or known by his fight name “Baby Pacquiao” felt a sense of fulfillment in his victory here in Labuan. Never did he imagine that his passion for martial arts since his childhood days will come down to this memorable achievement for him. 

Elto receiving the JY Cup from Ms Julia, the late Joseph Yew's wife

As a migrant worker in the F&B industry in Labuan for the pass 7 years, far away from his home in Zamboanga, Philipines  he is most thankful to his coach Alvin Chong whom has given him the opportunity to train at BCG and help him in his martial art growth.

Elto improved his K1 Kickboxing record to 4 wins.

As for silver medalist Mohd Dinie, he said participating in BAC3 really gave him valuable experience. He will go back to evaluate his weakness and promise to return stronger in 2017.

Dinie works at Royal Brunei airlines. According to Brunei's 018 Martial Arts Academy owner, Adey initially Dinie enrolled with the objective of improving his fitness only. But eventually his interest was roused when the academy regularly send their fighters to compete. He competed in his 1st Kickboxing match in BAC2.

Adey believe this lost in the Super 4 final will motivate Dinie stronger because he finds Dinie a well focused person, very humble and respectful to everyone. 

"As a coach I personally look at the personality first, rather than the talent. Dinie is a fighter who listens to me very well and accept the advice from me in order to make him improve more. He is an eager person who wants to train and seek improvements. His honest and humble personality has led me to put my trust in him, where currently he is one of my assistants in helping me to take the Kickboxing classes in the gym. Therefore, as a coach, I think the personality is the most important key in building their future whether as a fighter or not, and I do think talents comes second"

Adey, 018 Martial Arts Academy owner

In much anticipated Super Fight Female K1, Liyana from TNT Hartamas KL defeated Cindy Martin from Borneo Combat Gym Labuan.

Liyana or Li as she is fondly called by her friends is from KL and of Indian and Chinese heritage. Ask on how she felt after winning the JY Cup,

"I am really happy that I won. I was not thinking so much about winning or losing but more on performance. Cindy is tough, hard to break and came out strong in the first round so I wanted to make it as difficult as I could for her to beat me in the next round. Kien, Alyson and Tasha my cornermen really pushed me and showed so much belief in me, I have to thank them for bringing out the fighter in me!"

Sports has been a large part of her life as since 5 years old she already started playing tennis. She love competing and this is her motivation to train harder each day.

Martial arts is relatively new to her. She joined TNT Kickboxing after a friend encourage her to come along and her initial reason was just to lose weight, but her competitive nature hooked her deeper into the fighting arts and it has become her focus now.

Only at 23 this year, Liyana felt she still have a lot to learn and she is still developing her own fighting style through the guidance of her coach Alex Lim

"Winning the super fight has given me a little more confidence in myself and convinced me to continue fighting. And I hope to for as long as I can. For now my focus would be on kickboxing but I am open to try other styles eventually.

Asked on what she think of BAC
"I believe that this is the first time that BCG organized a Super fight/ Super 4 tournament and it was particularly meaningful as it was held in honor of the late Joseph Yew. I am happy to have been able to participate and honor the man that has contributed a lot to the Labuan fight scene and community as a whole.

The event went smoothly and was well organized. I hope to be back again next year!

Do u get to go around Labuan? What do you think of the place?

"It is nice to be able to wake up early run around the harbour as the sunrises. Together with my friends and fellow fighters we also visited some of the islands nearby and ate fish head soup for breakfast everyday!

This is my first time in Labuan actually. If it was not for the fight event and Alvin from BCG it might have never crossed my mind to come!

The event organised by BCG Labuan is proudly sponsored by Amnig, Dutch Lady, BoxxTomoi, Regus, Welson Aerialvideography, Perdana Cineplex, AS, Power Root, Fight Fest, One Stop Duty Free, Loong Fish Head and Mr Dicky Ng.

BAC is a platform for amateur athletes to demonstrate their talent and skills in martial arts and, as well to showcase their good sportsmanship. 2017 will be a hectic year as founder Alvin Chong has 3 events planned. BAC 4 in March 2017, BAC 5 in August 2017 and ISKA K1 National Championship in December 2017. 

Much planning has been put in place to ensure the national championship will be a success as BCG look to work closely with Labuan tourism authority to ensure participants that travel to Labuan will get the best experience and memory on what Labuan have to offer.

This will be the 1st time in history for a national level K1 Kickboxing to be organised in Malaysia. Alvin wants Borneo to lead in terms of talent pool through BAC and the other ISKA sanctions event in Sabah such as STAND & FIGHT FEST.

BAC3 also saw the continuation of the mission to produce more qualified Kickboxing and MMA referee. This time three attended the ISKA K1 & MMA Referees Course on Dec 16. It was conducted by Master Khoo Meng Yang, who is the South East Asia ISKA representative.