Three muay thai experts vie for gold

NAY PYI TAW – The muay thai experts brace for three make-or-break gold medal matches but it’s going to be a tall order for the Filipino fighters against host Myanmar, Thailand, home of the sport, and emerging power Laos at the close of muay thai competitions today at the multi-purpose hall of the Wunnum Theikdi National Sports Complex.

Members of the Philippine muay team know exactly what to do for them to realize their golden goals in the 27th SEA Games here.

“Kailangan i-knockout ang kalaban (Need to knock out their rivals),” said Philip Delarmino on the eve of the sport’s all-finals at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium.

Delarmino, bronze medal winner in the 2012World Cup at St. Petersburg, Russia, is up against hometown bet Saw Dar Pot in the 54 kg, while Polosan, a silver medal winner in the 2011 World Cup in Uzbekistan, takes on Panupong Panjad of Thailand, from where the sport originated, in the 63.5 kg.

Ocaya, bronze medalist also in Russia in 2012, is pitted against Phithsaya Phoumchanh of Laos, whose federation is conducting the tournament, in the 54 kg.

“Knockout is our primary objective, that will avoid referees’ decisions,” said Delarmino, who is making his debut in the SEA Games.

“It’s a tough task but we will try our best,” said Polosan.

“We’ll do our best to win, not only for ourselves but for our country,” said Ocaya, the oldest of the three at 25.

Muay association secretary-general Luis Rivera, who heads the compact team that includes coach Roland Claro, said the only real threat lies from outside the ring.

“Barring any accidents, we have a fighting chance,” said Rivera. “The only problem is we may not win on points alone.”