Over two hundred Canadian muaythai athletes took place in the National Championships, marking their place on the national team for a busy year of international muaythai ahead. The Mayor of the host city welcomed the athletes to the event in a sign of the growing cooperation between muaythai and the Canadian authorities.

President of Muaythai Canada Robin Finley also welcomed the athletes with Mayor Frank Scarpitti, and said this was the greatest gathering of young muaythai athletes he had seen. He said: “Our young athletes are our future Olympic hopefuls, and events like the Canadian National Championships are where they can literally sharpen their weapons in a competitive setting.”

In all 213 muaythai athletes from across Canada registered for the event, with over 100 bouts across two rings entertaining fans and supporters over the weekend.

The Championships were opened by by Brandon Petahtegoose of the Ojibwe Nation and Odinamaad Narciso Kagagins Noganosh of the Henvey Inlet Nation, as they addressed everyone in attendance with a land acknowledgement, followed by the Anishaabe Flag Song and a traditional smudge ceremony.

Michael Reid from the Canadian federation said this was a fitting welcome for the athletes and showed how muaythai and Canadian culture can fit together in creating a unique atmosphere for fans and athletes.

Junior and senior athletes competed for the honour of representing Canada next year. Former youth world champion Riley Foden is once again on the team, in his final year of youth competition. Yumiko Kawano, Pan-American champion represents again on the women’s team and Scott MacKenzie last seen competing in Minsk 2017 returns to the men’s team.

Full results can be seen on the new Canadian IFMA Live website in collaboration with Rsportz.

See the list of the full 2019 Canadian national muaythai team here.on the CMT website.