Nandex wants to see better fighters

THE 11th national kickboxing championships is set to be staged this weekend, Dec17-19, in Mendi, Southern Highlands, with international representative spots for 2011 up for grabs.
This was made known by kickboxing promoter Stanley “the headhunter” Nandex who said the tournament would see some of the country’s top local talent compete to improve their rankings in the event and to qualify for an elite select team to represent PNG in the 2011 international invitations.
Nandex said he had already received four invitataions for a semi-professional show in Australia next year where fighter rankings would be tested.
There will also be an Oceania K1 event which is scheduled to be held in June as well as the kicboxing world cup in Sydney in July while the WKA amateur championships are in Germany in August.
Nandex said the national kickboxing championships this year had already attracted over 280 fighters from around the country and overseas  with the number of participants expected to increase this week.
Chimbu has held the title for the past eight years however, hosts Mendi are expected to put up a strong side and will have the support from the home crowd.
Nandex added that there would be 15 weight classes but also separate categories  based on a fighter’s experience.
He said the championships this year would be  significant.
“We want better performers on the international scene and we are giving that chance now to the best fighters from around the country to step up and excel in the sport,” Nandex said.
He also stated that the event will also try to educate, motivate and inspire youth and welcomes support that people and organizations have put in.
Nandex took the time to thank CCJV, Asi Holdings, Kopiyo Ltd, the Southern Highlands provincial government and the National Government for their support in staging the event.