Nandex mourns loss of Garap

By PARKER TAMBUA
KICKBOXING legend Stanley Nandex says the passing of national Muay Thai champion Lee Henry Garap is a big loss to fight sports in the country.
Garap, 39, from Sinasina-Yongamugl, Chimbu, suddenly passed away at Port Moresby General Hospital on Wednesday. Nandex told The National yesterday that Garap was one of the first people who trained under him when he introduced kickboxing in 1999.
“I was shocked when I heard about his passing” he said.
“Garap has worked hard to come this far. “He won four consecutive Muay Thai world titles and was preparing for his last fight when he passed away.
“It is heartbreaking, it’s a big loss to his immediate family, his kids as well as the entire fight sports fraternity in the country.
“I would like to pass my deepest condolences to his family.”
Nandex said Garap was a role model to the next generation of kickboxers and other combat sports in the country.
“He was humble and had a lot of respect for others,” he said.
“I first came to know Garap during the national kickboxing championships in Kundiawa in 2000.
“His first international fight was in 2004 where I took him and 11 other PNG fighters to compete in the Australian Open Full Contact Karate Championships.
“It was full contact so Garap was able to fight against heavier opponents.
“He was among four PNG fighters who won their fights.
“In 2014, Garap told me that he wanted to join the World Kickboxing Federation as he wanted to compete in Muay Thai.”
The kickboxing legend said the late Henry went on to enjoy so much success in Muay Thai.

Lee Henry Garap