Busy year for kickboxers

KICKBOXERS in Papua New Guinea will be preparing for several international fights after the PNG Kickboxing Association released its sporting calendar for this year.
The events for this year include the WKA World Championships in Germany (Aug 26-30), the ISKA World Cup in Sydney (Oct 21-23), the Fight Force Promotion (PNG versus Australia) in Melbourne (May 14) and the Rest of the World versus PNG showdown in Mendi, Southern Highlands, which will coincide with the Independence celebrations in September.
The association has also recalled professional kickboxing champion Andy “The Black Thunder” Sam, into the 65-man train-on squad, announced after the 11th national kickboxing championships in Mendi  last year.
Sam represented Mt Hagen at the championships and was selected but the PNGKBA suspended him after he was involved in an incident at the Mt Wilhelm Hotel.
National coordinator Micah Oki said the association was expected to confirm the dates of the tournaments after receiving information from the international sanctioning body.
Oki also said that this year’s titles will be held in Madang on Dec 16-18 while the highlands regional championships are set for Minj on April 7-9.