Team Cebu City kickboxers rule Batang Pinoy

CEBU, Philippines – Young kickboxers of Team Cebu City reigned supreme inside the ring as they snared the overall championship of the Muay Thai event in the 2015 Batang Pinoy National Championship held in Malolos, Bulacan.

Unbeaten mixed martial arts fighter Ken ‘Shaolin’ Caniga of Abuno Elementary School led TCC’s charge with a double gold in Wai Khru or forms and sparring combat.

This is Caniga’s second double-gold performance in the nationals as he also dominated his division last year earning him a citation award in the recent Sportswriters Association of Cebu Awards.

“He (Ken) is ready for a bigger challenge this year. He will go back training in Manila with the Philippine Team as we prepare him for a competition in Thailand,” said Muay Thai Cebu coach Mary Ann Durado.

The 10-year-old Caniga is also joined by his younger brother Lander Caniga who got a gold medal in sparring and a silver in Wai Khru.

Other gold medalists for the boys were Ejevan Colegado of Abellana National School, Klyde Go of CBD College, Jeth Van Puao of Dominican School of Consolacion, Buen Algono of Punta Princesa Elementary School and John Nathaniel Gonzales of Zapatera Elementary School all in Wai Khru.

The rest of the medalists for the boys’ division were Josh Ybanez of Rainbow Child Learning Center with a silver and bronze, Don Bosco National High School’s Jaycee Banzon (silver), Zion Alexander Melecio of Hipodromo Elementary School and Wesley Colegado with two bronzes and John Agustin Simbahon of University of Cebu and Abellana National School’s Hiaroshi Rey Rosas with one bronze apiece.

In the distaff side, Mary Grace Obrial of Apas National High School seized two golds in both events; Bea Kaye Labiste grabbed gold in Wai Khru, while St.Theresas College Jodi Marie Banzon had a gold and silver.

Dumaran siblings’ Joshien and Jewel of San Remigio National High School scored silver and bronze medal, respectively, as Brooke Kirsty Labiste of STC contributed with a silver and bronze medal. (FREEMAN)