A fantastic week of muaythai competition concluded today with the final 15 bouts which saw Russia take the best team award, winning medals across men’s and women’s divisions.
IFMA would like to congratulate and thank the Mexican Muaythai Federation for a great tournament, which will leave lasting memories with all the athletes who took part in this week’s festivities. President Elisa Salinas and her colleagues especially Jesus Santamaria who worked tirelessly for months to make this happen, and the results could be seen in the happy faces everywhere this evening.
The closing ceremony centred around a beautiful display of traditional Mexican music and song.
The first bout was women’s 48kg between Thailand’s Suphisara Konlak and Vera Buga (Russia). A fast-paced bout, defending champion Suphisara took a clear points win using the clinch and knee strategies. Bronze medals went to Leigh Newton (UK) and Myriame Djedidi (France)
Up next was Bui Yen Ly (Vietnam), silver medalist at The World Games against Josefin Lindgren Knutsson from Sweden. Bui is known for her use of the long teep or push kick but Josefin came prepared, and won a points victory with clever ring-craft. Bronze medals went to Paula Benavides (Peru) and Juliette Lacroix (France).
The third female bout of the day was The World Games champion Sofia Olofsson (Sweden) facing Yadrung “Chomanee” Tehiran from Thailand. Two very different styles here with Sofia favouring her hands and Chomanee working well on the clinch, but in the end Sofia took the win by mixing her techniques for a clear points win. Bronze went to Maria Lobo (Portugal) and Olena Ovchynnikova (Ukraine)
The opening male bout was at 54kg was Belarus’ Mikalai Sviadomski facing Kholmurod Rakhimov (Russia). This tight battle came down to one point with Kholmurod taking the win – both athletes working hard with their hand-techniques, and skilful mixing of lower-leg and body-kicks. Bronze went to Chotichanin Kokkrachai (Thailand) and Sercan Koc (Turkey).
At 57kg, Wiwat Khamtha Thailand faced Vladyslav Mykythas (Ukraine). A very close bout, this also came down to a one-point difference with Wiwat taking the win. He was later also given an award for Best Wai Kru to recognise his cultural contribution. Bronze went to Osvaldo Rangel Chavez (Mexico) and Almaz Sarsembekov (Kazakhstan).
The women were back in the ring next at 60kg with Nili Block (Israel) taking a win on walk-over as unfortunately Ekaterina Vinnikova (Russia) was unable to compete due to illness. Bronze went to Mariana Ranirez Sachez (Mexico) and Mariya Valent (Belarus).
The male 60kg division saw Aik Begian (Russia) against Prawit Chilnak (Thailand) in a cracker of a bout. Aik won by one point, working hard in every round from the start – scoring well with elbows and in the clinch. Bronze went to Ishan Galiyev (Kazakstan) and Filiph Waldt (Sweden).
In the women’s 63.5kg, Sweden and Russia crossed the ropes for a great bout. The World Games champion Svetlana Vinnikova took a clear points win over Erica Bjornestrand. Bronze went to Sabin Mazo (Colombia) and Kubra Akbulut (Turkey).
The men’s 63.5kg was between Igor Liubchenko (Ukraine) and Abdulmalik Mugidinov (Russia). Igor – The World Games champion – took the win clearly on points. Bronze went to Mathias Jonsson (Sweden) and Serdar Koc (Turkey).
At 67kg defending world champion Dmitry Varats (Belarus) faced up and coming athlete Norbert Speth (Hungary) who defeated The World Games champion on his way to this bout. However Varats with his trademark power-shots took a clear points win for gold. Bronze went to Zhanibek Kanatbayev (Kazakhstan) and Furkan Semih Karabag (Turkey).
The 71kg bout was another epic battle which saw Thailand’s Komsan “Yodwicha” Tantakhob face Belarus’ Andrei Kulebin. This was a real crowd-pleaser with strong applause from neutrals and team-supporters alike. Both athletes laid it on the line, with Yodwicha taking a points win. Bronze went to Yildrim Oguz (Turkey) and Namik Neftaliyev (Kazakhstan).
At 75kg Vasyl Sorokin (Ukraine), silver medalist The World Games defeated Yauhen La Sheuski (Belarus) in another exciting bout. Again coming down to one point in the final round, Vasyl worked well on the outside using distance kicks and punches to score. Bronze went to Enrico Carrara (Italy) and Vadim Loparev (Kazakhstan).
The 81kg final was a re-match of the final at The Word Games with Ali Dogan (Turkey) facing Constantino Nanga (Sweden) again. The points shifted between them during the bout, with great support for both from the crowd – and Ali taking the win on just one point. Bronze went to Anatoli Sukanov (Ukraine) and Ivan Molina (Mexico).
At 86kg Poland’s Lukasz Radosz faced Russian Armen Petrosian and took a clear points win, tying up the Russian athlete in the clinch. Bronze went to Timothy Lo (Canada) and Serdar Yigit Eroglu (Turkey).
The final bout of the day was Tsotne Rogna (Ukraine) V Kirill Kornilov (Russia) but Tsotne took the win on walk-over as Kirill was unable to compete. Bronze went to Bugra Erdogan (Turkey) and Amine Kebir (France).
After the bouts all of the athletes were invited to a party held in the resort Grand Oasis.
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