15th National Open Kickboxing Championships a success

Fifth National Kickboxing Championships ended well on the high note. President of the Highlands Regional Kickboxing Council Mr. Paul Konapa confirmed that nine (9) provinces including Hela, SHP, Enga, Mt Hagen, Jiwaka, Chimbu, Goroka, Lae and Madang with 350 participants took park in the four days championships. The event was a great success accepts missing out of participants from some parts of Momase and New Guinea Island Provinces due to the ethnic clash in Lae M. Province. He said new Province Hela came with huge total number of 67 fighters including both male and female at the age range from 12 years and over with While host Province Chimbu had more than 100 fighters. 

The event started on Friday the 20th November 2015 and ended on Monday the 23rd November 2015 with presentation. The first elimination bouts on Friday begins with junior division followed by the seniors on Saturday and semi finals finished on Sunday. The grand final was on Monday with few bouts were not completed due to weather condition. President of the PNGKBF Mr. Stanley Nandex presented as a guest to officially sanction the event on behalf of the World Kickboxing Association (WKA) Nandex said he was impressed to witness the event been very successful. Nandex said last three years PNG Kickboxing Federation have missed out on international invitation due to funding and said this event was part of the selection for the 2016 international events including the world championships in August 2016. Sixty fighters will be announcing this week to represent the country for the world championships. This will also include the training and lead-up fights in preparation for the 2016 international invitations and its event calendar. 

Major sponsor of the 15th National kickboxing championships Dr. Peter GallarKora from Kora Foundation in his closing remarks said Sport was an ideal platform for social development to invest in young men and women. He said kickboxing sports can be a drive to develop youths through its strong discipline and rules to keep them under control. He said Kora Foundation was proud to sponsor the event and will continue to support in the world championships campaign. In the Overall medal tally:

PROVINCES GOLD SILVER BRONZE

Chimbu 7 3 4

Hela 5 5 2

Jiwaka-Gawai KENE M3 4 5 2

Jiwaka 2 2 0

Eastern highlands Pro 1 1 0

Enga Province 0 0 3

Mendi 0 0 1

Madang 0 0 0

Morobe 0 0 0

Chimbu won the overall national title while Hela took the second place. The 60 selected fighters for the world championships will be announced this week. The PNGKBF also thanked major sponsor including Chimbu Provincial Government and other minor sponsors in making the event a success.