Richmond, VA
The Steward School—Richmond, VA
On June 26th, 2009, 120 competitors from almost 50
gyms in 17 states lined up to weigh-in for the 2009
WKA North American Combat Sports Championships. Friday
evening’s check-in and weigh-ins proceeded smoothly,
and fighters stepped off the scale to prepare for the
next day’s tournament. Miraculously, nearly every
fighter made weight on the first try, so fighters were
free to leave and find their favorite meal before
resting up in the event hotel. An early night for the
fighters became a late night for WKA staff, who stayed
up to do some sizable bracketing for the tournament as
well as ring and cage setup.
The next morning, as officials busied themselves
with the ring and the cage, fighters and coaches
crowded around the posted bracketing charts to see
their match-ups. After a few bracket modifications,
and the fighters meeting given by referees Rick
Mullis, Will Dorset, and Fred Corritone, the first
fight bell rang at 10:45, beginning a full day of Muay
Thai in the ring and MMA in the cage.
An impressive day of some of the best
Muay Thai and MMA matches this year. The
tournament, although long due to the
number of bouts, ran relatively smoothly.
All fighters seemed to come with their
A-game and their camps and coaches are to
be commended for the skills and
sportsmanship displayed.
Although there were too many excellent
competitors for such a choice, several
people were voted by WKA officials as MVPs
for their outstanding performance, number
of fights, attitude, and sportsmanship.
Kyle Hillman from Daddis Fight Camp in
Philadelphia, PA was selected as the Muay
Thai MVP fighter. He defeated three
opponents to win the Muay Thai Open
Division (-71 kg/156.2 lb). Mike Mcauley,
also out of Daddis, was chosen as the MMA
MVP competitor. He defeated three
opponents to win the MMA Novice Division
(-135) and also competed in Novice Muay
Thai. Finally, Lindsey MacMhaolain of
Combat Sports Center, Richmond, VA, was
selected as the overall Tournament MVP.
She defeated two opponents to win the Muay
Thai Novice Division (-64/-118.8 lb) and
one opponent to win the MMA Open Division
(-125 lb). In addition, The Wat of New
York won the WKA North American School MVP
Award for bringing the largest group of
competitors—sixteen fighters—to the
Championships.
Micha Goodman of Combat Sports Center,
Richmond, VA locks in a triangle in the
Men’s Welterweight Open MMA Division.
The following schools brought fighters
to compete:
|
5 Points Fitness |
Fukagi |
Richmond BJJ |
|
Americus MA
Academy |
Global Martial
Arts |
Shaolin BJJ |
|
Ardon Sweet
Science |
Gym 445 |
Shidokan Atlanta |
|
Ascension MMA |
Ivey League MMA |
Shotokan Academy |
|
Borodin's Gym |
LA Boxing |
Sitan, PA |
|
Bubba's Gym |
Leo Dalla |
Team Aguirre |
|
Bushido MMA |
Lloyd Irvin |
Team Haycraft |
|
Church Street
Boxing Gym |
Maryland Thai
Boxing |
Team Kamikaze |
|
City Boxing |
Master K Muay Thai |
The Wat |
|
Combat Sports
Center |
Myrtle Beach MA |
TNT |
|
Daddis Fight Club |
Nak Muay Gym |
Top Notch |
|
Eastern Academy |
NBS Gym |
Ultimate Crossfit
Martial Arts |
|
Evolve Academy |
New World Academy |
Warrior Jiu-Jitsu
MMA |
|
F4F |
NOVA MMA |
Xtreme Tactics |
|
Fight Firm |
Renzo Gracie
Academy |
|
MMA MVP
Mike
Mcauley—Daddis Fight Club, Philadelphia, PA
Defeated three opponents to win the
MMA Novice
Division (-135 lb)
Eric Haycraft, former WKA
Champion and worldwide contributor to Muay Thai
journalism
“The WKA North American
Tournament continues a long history of WKA fighters,
champions and epic fights. Now in 2009 after so many
years many of the USA's top gyms are bringing their
young fighters to this tournament in hopes of
advancing to the WKA World Amateur Championships, the
only true amateur World Championship available to most
US fighters. As an amateur I fought for the WKA and
now it is great to see the level increase as I bring
my own fighters to compete. Well done WKA USA!”
MUAY THAI MVP
Kyle
Hillman—Daddis Fight Club, Philadelphia, PA
Defeated three opponents to win the
Muay Thai Open Division (-71 kg/156.2 lb)
Vladimir
Borodin, former Russian National Champion
“Brian. Thanks
for everything you did for our team and for the sport
of Muay Thai.
Tournament was overall good. Ed Hsu
did a good job too with letting everybody know when to
come and take their equipment. The lady in the shorts
(forgot her name) was good too always keeping the list
of fights in order on the desk. Medics did tremendous
job. Of course if you'd have more sponsors it would be
easier for you a lot but all around I'm happy the
tournament work out very smooth without accidents and
arguments. I'm totally satisfied. Thanks a lot and we
definitely coming next year.
Yours in Muay Thai.
Vladimir Borodin
PS If you'd allow the use of
elbows covered with elbow pads it would be great too.
Osss !!!”
TOURNAMENT MVP
Lindsey MacMhaolain—Combat Sports Center,
Richmond, VA
Defeated two opponents to
win the
Muay Thai
Novice Division (-64/-118.8 lb)
And one opponent to win
the
MMA Open Division (-125 lb)
Edge
Brown, former WKA World Champion "You
cannot call yourself a US amateur Champion
unless you win the WKA North American
Championships, the best fighters in the
USA fight here."
