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 : THE REVIEW

photo by Aliuddin Lensa

The 2nd edition of Elopura Fights went down for 2 days ( 10 -11 Mac 2018 ) in Sandakan. Organised by Sandakan Muaythai Association and held at Sandakan’s Hakka Association Hall, it was 2 days of Muaythai action that saw the day part occupied by amateur and semi-pro fights, while the night time saw the pro fighters came out and display their arsenal of the 8 limbs.

For pre-event story, click on the link here:
Elopura Fights 2: Defenders of Elopura

In total 30 amatuer/semi-pro bouts was contested with Team Karabaw leading the winners tally with total 9 victories, followed by home team, 66 Unicorn with 5 and D-Sha of Tawau with 4.

It was good to see for the first time 4 participation from SMK Pulau Gaya. A school in Gaya Island that is 30 minutes boat ride from Kota Kinabalu. Recently Muaythai Sabah has activated a few intro classes to recruit new fighters and it’s a good start to see the pool of Muaythai fighters in Sabah growing.

Many were happy with the venue as it’s clean, comfortable and have good ventilation. Although there was a slight hiccups when there was a blackout on the first day, all due to the misscom of venue owner with Sabah Electricity but was promptly rectify.

Amatuer action ( pix by Aliuddin Lensa )

Check out the amatuer results below

The night time pro fights was highly anticipated, as some of Sabah’s best fighters are pitted against the best from Sarawak & West Malaysia.

Mohamad Ajman Ajmain ( Maman ), the president of Muaythai Sandakan, lead his team of 66 Askar Hantu ( 66 Phantom Soldier ) in putting up a great show for the crowds. His team was assisted by Boxxtomoi Asia and they light up the nights with colourful lights, smoke machine and energetic music, that made the entrance of each fighters a hi-light upon itself.

photo by Ahmad Jimmy

Maman in the center with his 66 Askar Hantu ( photo by Ahmad Jimmy )

For that, the best entrance award should go to Addy Raisal of Kinabalu Kings. As the mysterious Undertaker music began and the lights was focusing on the stage, all eyes and cameras was on the stage, as they watch a figure in a hoodie came out, after a few moves he reverese back and disappear behind the curtain. All of a sudden the lights shine on the ring and there he is - Addy suddenly appear in the middle of the ring!

check out the results for the pro fights below.

Day 1 Pro results

Check out the video hi-lights of Day 1


10 pro bouts competed on day 1 with 5 bouts ending with a KO. Rayner Kinsiong, ex-national Karateka and ONE Championship's MMA fighter made a come-back to the ring against Daniel Omar of Perak. It was a swift victory as Rayner unloaded a series of combos that ended the fight via KO in just 27 seconds in the 1st round, winning himself the Sabah Muaythai Association President Cup.

photo by: Jack Tmj

Kinabalu Kings kingpin Bee Jay said this time he sponsored The King's Legacy Cup, to encourage and motivate his fighters to excel. His fighters went on killer mode and got the wins via KO in round 3 in both their fight. Haiqal 'Shark' against Aman Koboi in day 1 and the flamboyant young Shah Aryan ' Killer Prince' against Ayu Arash in day 2, both opponent from Sarawak.

The pro main card on day 1 saw Eswandy of Sarawak taking on a short notice fight against a MAX Muaythai Champ Worachat Panadkla. It was a one sided affair as the experience of Worachat whom holds more than 100 fights proof to be a level above his competition, winning via TKO in round 1.

Worachat making his entrance ( pix by Ahmad Jimmy )

Day 2 Pro results

Day 2 event saw an international bout of Suphan of Thailand against Manthan Rane from Team Relentless India. From the outset, Manthan, seems to control the fight with powerful kicks and punches. Suphan was non chalant and occasionally mock and tease Manthan and counter fire.

But at end of 5 round for the 61kg Champion Cup, Suphan was annouced winner by split decision. Manthan clearly upset but acting very professionally he accepted the judges decision.

Manthan is Yoddha FC MMA Flyweight champion, currently studying for his college degree, he travel alone from India to Sandakan for his pro Muaythai debut. After the fight , he said
“ I thought I did enough to win, although I am dissapointed but this result taught me that I must be more aggresive in future fights and go for the kill to end the fight by KO and not leave it to the judges. This is a good lesson for me and I will improve from here onward."

Manthan vs Suphan

I must say my personal favourite fight was Addy Raisal of Kinabalu Kings vs Morris Hii of D-30 Sarawak. Both came in aggresive. Throwing everything but the kitchen sink. Fight stop twice as Morris forehead was bleeding. After the check by ringside doctor, the green light was given to continue. Morris was unfazed by the cut as he continue to throw bombs. Addy had the upper hand with crisp technique and accurate shot and earn himself a hard fought 59Kg Champion Cup.

Sandakan home team 66 Unicorn recorded great success. Aptly proof that they are 'Defenders of Elopura' as the tagline of this 2nd Edition of Elopura Fights suggest.

Female pro debutant Tu Sin Yee, open the pro fight event with her win over Magdelina of Tomoi Labuan in the 1st bout of day 1. But young talent , Faiz ' Harimau Kumbang' lost his match to Ayu of Sarawak.

Tu Sin Yee (in red ) winning her pro debut . pix by Ahmad Jimmy

Faiz's fight - pix by Jack Tmj

Wawan Kalai - pix by Ahmad Jimmy

Wawan Kalai, a senior member of 66 Unicorn move them back into the win column by winning the King's Legacy Cup at 51kg.

Follow by Riedzwan Norsyahmie, collecting a KO win in round 3 against Hunson of Sarawak, thus winning him the Elopura Fights 50kg Champion Cup. Adding to his bronze medal at IFMA World Youth Championship, Bangkok and gold medal at World Youth Martial Art Mastership, South Korea, both from 2017.

Riedzwan Norsyahmie - pix by Ahmad Jimmy

In Day 2, Rahmad 'Mat Kool' again open the fights with a victory over Azman of Karabaw. Another female pro debutant from 66 Unicorn - Linn Yong, stamped her mark of dominance in winning her fight with a KO in round 1 against Glorya Nate of Sabah Khai Muay.

LinnYong, having her hand raise in victory

66 Unicorn close the night with a victory from their prize fighter Shah 'Black Machine'. Shah was slated to fight Sarawak's Muaythai Champion Trevor Salang, but Trevor was replaced by his student Fadzly Julai.

The 5 round fight title fight for the Elopura Fights 57kg Champion Belt initially started at a slow pace. But from round 3 onwards, after the fight was stalled as fadzly was given time out for a low blow, he seems to try to break his underdog status and began to rev up his enginge. Shah remain calm and managed to connect important shots to seal the victory and get the title belt wrap around his waist.

Shah in his after fight interview said he was proud to represent his home town Sandakan and this win is for his mentor Mohamad Ajman Ajmain and his 66 Unicorn team mates. He was prepared for a hard fight against Trevor. Although that match up didn't materialised, he was glad Fadzly stepped up and commended him for taking the fight in very short notice.

 

The victory in Elopura Fights 2 is important to him as he suffered a lost in Labuan's B-MAEX Pro Kickboxing. Before Labuan, he was also nursing an injury and lost in a Muaythai event in KL. He has recently graduated in sports science and will continue to pursue his fighting career and perhaps one day be able to go into coaching.