PHL muay team shifts focus to world championships

With muay scratched out in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games, the Philippine team will be preparing instead for the more prestigious World Muay Thai Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Eight veteran muay fighters, six in the men’s division and two in the distaff side, have been chosen to regain the country’s rich tradition in the weeklong event on September 20 to 27. World silver medalist Jay Harold Gregorio and 2009 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Zaidi Laruan will lead the team to the world championship. Joining Gregorio and Laruan are Jonathan Polosan, Benedict Alumno, Ryan Jakieri and Robin Catalan in the men’s division. May Libao and Preciosa Ocaya are the female fighters. Brent Velasco won the gold in 2002 and 2004 while Roland Claro duplicated the feat in 2004 and 2008. National coach Billy Alumno said the team will train for three months in Bangkok from July to September to prepare for the tournament. "Sayang walang muay sa SEA Games, mas marami sana ang chance na makapag-uwi ng mas marami pang medalya," said Alumno. – Reuben Terrado, JVP, GMA News