Burswood Muay Thai World Championships September 8th 2001
Morley Sport and Recreation Centre, Perth
Story by: Jessica McMillen
Photos by: John - JB Photography

Morley Sport and Recreation Centre played host to Western Australia’s best Muay Thai Event of the year on September 8th 2001. The Burswood Muay Thai Championship show was proudly and professionally presented by Phon Martdee of Phon’s Thai Martial Arts of Western Australia. The Championships paraded an impressive line-up of quality contests including six title fights; WA Title, three Australian Titles and two World Titles.

The World Titles, sanctioned by the International Professional Muay Thai Organisation (IPMTO) and International Amateur Muay Thai Federation (IAMTF), were the biggest attraction for local crowds as they came to support Western Australian fighter Sanapar Noi defending his World Junior Welterweight Title.

The 1200 strong crowd included special guest Mr Ep Yeoh from the Burswood Resort Casino, William Jamieson of the Royal Thai Consulate in Perth and, by special request, Mr John Hyde, MLA.

The evening proceedings began with three support bouts starting with a non- contest match up between Bradley Wright and Harper Collins, both from Phon’s Gym.

This was followed by an exciting Featherweight competition with Lucky Hanton from Lanna Gym Mandurah, winning a unanimous points over David Nelson of Morley PCYC. The young upcoming Lucky Hanton was rewarded again later on in the nights events for Best Ram Muay of the Tournament.

The support bouts were concluded with a female non-contest display of Muay Thai skill, featuring new and promising talent Tiana Caverley of Phon’s Gym and Tameeka Ramsom of Midland Chinese Boxing. It was the first time in the ring for both girls who showed excellent skill with well executed kicks and knee combinations.

With the crowd heating up and the title fighters ready to go it was time for the IAMTF State Super Light Heavyweight Title up for grabs.

The fighters battling it out were Trevor Looms (Fremantle) and Nick Stoeski (Heski’s Academy). Looms came out hard and fast to dominate in the first round but was unable to keep up this pace against the solid attack made by Stoeski. Trevor, slowing from the ferocious pace he had set himself came into the third round visibly tired. The referee stopped the fight due to Looms being unable to continue during the third round, awarding Stoeski with the Title.

The next competition up was the male IAMTF National Lightweight Title contest. The crowd welcomed WA’s upcoming star Chris Dalziel (Phon’s Gym) into the ring against Queensland’s young and upcoming fighter Justin O’Connor (Lamai Stable). Coming into this fight Justin had already compiled an impressive record of 9 wins from 9 fights. Both fighters came out strong in the first round but some strong right kicks from Dalziel forced O’Connor to switch to south paw coming into the second round. Even though Chris had to adjust to this change he was still able to over power Justin with an exciting display of Muay Thai technique. O’Connor attempted to pay back his opponent with some good knees but it was not enough to turn the judges decision. Chris took out the title on unanimous points and furthered his success again during the Tournament with a well earned, Fighter of the Tournament award.

The first female title fight bout for the Female IAMTF Australian Featherweight Title was between the current title holder WA’s rising star from Phon’s Gym 14 yr old Stephynee Bouquet, and the experienced 1999 Bangkok silver medallist and WKA Australian titleholder, Marita Williamson of Henry’s Stable. Marita delivered some hard right crosses and spinning back right hands in attempt to destroy Bouquet in the fight initially. Some of these landed but most missed her target. This led to Marita fast running out of energy coming into the third round. Stephynee answered using her combination Muay Thai skill with winning kicks and knees. This led to a tough decision for the judges at the end of the final round but Stephynee won the title with a split decision, thus retaining her Title.

There has been a grudge re-match set for the title which will be held on the 20th October- this will surely prove to be a very exciting contest with Stephynee not willing to give up her title easily!

The third male Australian Title was once again a success for Western Australia thanks to the talent of star fighter Khalid "Black Magic" Ahmed of Phon’s Gym, over Queenslands champion fighter Shane "Wolf" Edwards (Lamai Stable) who, coming into this fight, had a record of 12 wins and one draw. This was a well-matched fight that gave the audience the chance to see high quality Muay Thai of a high standard and finely tuned skill.

The first round began with both fighters sizing each other up, Shane changing his guard from left to right looking very confident - a fighter who had not lost before!

Coming into the second round Khalid and his corner had analysed the Queenslander’s technique and had now worked out a game plan to dominate him.

The third round saw both fighters using all of their skill and technique in a pound for pound, question and answer style contest.

The final two rounds saw WA’s Black Magic show his skill and technique to bring down his opponent. Khalid followed his corner’s plan to dominate Edwards right to the final bell making it clear to the crowd and judges who was to be victorious in the contest.

The intensity of the evening heightened with the oncoming draw cards, the World Title Fights. First up were the talented ladies, with IPMTO Continental title holder and Bangkok 2001 Gold Medallist Asako Yonezawa of Phon’s gym and triple title holder Yod Yhing of Jartui’s Bangkok stable, both going for the World IPMTO Featherweight Title. Earlier this year the crowd had had a sample of the uncompromising energy of fighter Asako Yonezawa during Phon Martdee’s June 23rd Show.

As expected Asako came out very strong against the finely attuned skill of Thailand’s Yod Yhing.

The crowd bore witness to the champion quality of Yod Yhing’s fighting skills however she was quickly tired from the constant barrage of kicks and knees delivered by Asako. Asako was victorious over the Thai fighter and won the competition on a unanimous points decision.

This Title was the first in its category to be offered by the IPMTO and is a fine example of where our sport is headed in the future with highly skilled male and particularly, female fighters.

The final fight of the night was the much anticipated World IPMTO Junior Welterweight Title between current Title holder Thai world Champion Sanapar Noi of Phon’s Gym and Japanese Champion and high ranking IPMTO fighter, Aoh Hayashi of All Japan Kickboxing.

The crowd was not shy in showing their support for popular local fighter Sanapar Noi as he entered the ring. Sanapar Noi’s power was delivered through heavily landed thigh kicks to the Japanese fighter. Aoh Hayashi attempted to answer by attacking the unrelenting legs of Sanapar Noi but was eventually dropped to the canvas in the second round and was unable to continue the fight. This lead to the successful Sanapar Noi retaining his World title and winning the contest on a TKO. The fight was short lived but not short on entertainment for the appreciative crowd.

Once again Phon Martdee and his team from Phon’s Thai Martial Arts had presented Western Australia with a display of powerful high quality Muay Thai. Not only were all of his fighters successful in their contests but the crowd had witnessed a taste of things to come from the promising new talent and first class action seen throughout the evening from fighters in Western Australia, Eastern Australia and overseas competitors from Thailand and Japan.

We look forward to Phon’s next show in early 2002 where we are sure to see some more explosive Muay Thai Action.