LABUAN – Newcomer Darren Koh emerged as champion in the 4th Borneo Martial Arts Expo (BMAEX) 2022 tonight.
The 25-year-old athlete from Quinn MMA Karabaw Labuan defeated his opponent Jason Loong from Sabah Top Team after a split decision by the judges in the 63kg male full-contact kickboxing.
Meanwhile, Maurine Hii, 19, from D-30 Fight Team Sarawak, won the 52kg female full-contact kickboxing category after defeating Maggie Quinn from MMA Karabaw Labuan.
Labuan’s renowned Muay Thai athlete, Sunny “The Silencer” from the Deaf Fight Team of Labuan, emerged victorious against Danish Jalal from Khalifa MMA Sarawak in the 63.5kg low-kickboxing category.
Amer Azeez from Brunei won the 70kg low-kickboxing category against Kingsley Tan from Sabah Top Team.
The promising athlete from BCG Martial Arts Academy Labuan, Marul Mendez, scored an impressive unanimous decision victory over Sarawak’s Matthews Hii.
Labuan Corporation Chief executive officer Rithuan Ismail and his wife Mirani Majidi presented the winning belts.
The BMAEX, the biggest martial arts event in Borneo, returned after a two-year hiatus.
BMAEX 2022 organising chairman Tan Chee Haw said 150 participants from 20 teams in Penang, Johor, Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and Labuan would be taking part in the two-day event, which kicked off today at the Palm Beach Resort and Spa. – Bernama, December 10, 2022
