Muay thai artists pound way to finals

Two of the country’s top muay thai artists — Roland Claro and Zaidi Laruan — barged into finals after thwarting separate rivals yesterday at the kickoff of the first ever Southeast Asian Games muay thai competition at the GSIS gym.

The 25-year-old Claro, the 2004 World Muay Championship gold medalist, outclassed Myanmar opponent Thu Ra Lin Htut, 5-0, to firm up his bid for the gold in the 45-48 kg. (light flyweight) division.

Claro will face tough Thai rival Uchaim Yingram for the gold. Yingram arranged the final face-off after turning back Khamouane Khonavanh of Laos, 4-1.

"He’s (Htut) a good fighter. He’s a fast thinker and got good reflexes. But I’m still confident we could win the gold," said Claro, a native of Zamboanga.

While Claro’s experience clearly served him in good stead in his match against Htut, the 17-year-old Laruan showed a lot of heart in his fight to get the nod of the judges against Kyaw Min Htike of Myanmar, 5-0, in the flyweight division.

Laruan pounded his rival with a series of elbow shots in the head and body slams, and hardly gave Htike the chance to come back.

He will battle another Thai Virapong Nonting who prevailed over Phanvilay Rattanabounmy of Laos after the latter’s coach threw in the towel in the third round. The finals will be held Sunday starting 2 p.m.

Philippine Muay Association president Roberto Valdez was elated with the successful start of the first Muay competition in the region, calling it the "very first step in pushing for the inclusion of muay thai in the Olympics."— Bong Castro