Bermuda Muay Thai Team Win Medals In Iowa
From June 17th and June 19th, the Bermuda Amateur Muay Thai Association took the Bermuda National Muay Thai Team to compete in the largest Muay Thai tournament in North America, the Thai Boxing Association of America’s annual Muay Thai Classic in Des Moines, Iowa.
The team consisted of 6 competitors, Jeron Gunness, Corey Boyce, Jay Astwood, Nikki Stoudt-Maries, Brad Dyck, and Keron Lee.
After three days of competition Bermuda recorded three Championship titles and two bronze medals.
Below is a breakdown of the daily events and results:
Friday June 17th, 2016
- Keron Lee vs Mohamed Benachour [Texas] – Mens Novice Super Middleweight Division
- Loss – 1st Round Stoppage due to Knees
- Keron dropped his opponent in the first few seconds with a beautiful sweep and continued to press forward and landed several heavy punches. Keron gave up a significant height and reach advantage and was in the end controlled in the clinch, eventually receiving multiple unanswered knees to the body until the referee stepped in to stop the fight.
- Jay Astwood vs Jason Swansson [Illinois] – Men’s Novice Middleweight Division
- Win – 4th Round KO
- Bermuda’s First ever win in a major Muay Thai Rules Tournament
- Advanced to Semi Finals
- Jay fought hard for three rounds giving his opponent a standing 8 count in the third round to earn a majority draw judge’s decision and send the bout into a 4th round where Jay earned Bermuda’s first ever victory with a heavy left hand that resulted in a KO 9 seconds into the round.
- Corey Boyce, Brad Dyck, and Jeron Gunness ass received byes into the semi-finals.
Saturday June 18th, 2016
- Brad Dyck vs Nolan Ferguson [Missouri] – Senior Men’s Novice Light Heavyweight [Semi Finals]
- Win – 3rd Round KO
- Advanced to Championships
- In Brad’s first ever bout he pushed forward showing control, confidence, and power. After two hard fought rounds where Brad landed heavy kicks and punches he finished the fight in the third round with a left hook/right cross combination earning himself a spot in the finals.
- Jay Astwood vs Anthony Schleicher [Illinois] – Men’s Novice Middleweight Division [Semi Finals]
- Loss – Judges Decision
- Carrying an injury that saw Jay in the hospital until after midnight, Jay gamely fought three hard rounds. The bout took a downward turn for Jay after his opponent stepped in and hit Jay after a slip. His opponent had a point taken but it was not enough to win the overall decision.
- Earned Bronze Medal
- Corey Boyce vs Blake Kelley [Minnesota] – Men’s B Division Light Cruiserweight [Semi Finals]
- Win – Judges Decision
- Corey dominated his opponent giving him a standing 8 count in each of the three rounds and easily advanced to the finals.
- Jeron Gunness vs Caleb Merth [Minnesota] – Men’s B Division Super Welterweight [Semi Finals]
- Loss – Judge’s Decision
- Jeron and his opponents had one of the fights of the tournaments showing great Muay Thai skill. Jeron showed his poise and Muay Thai ability and lost a very close decision that could have gone either way although many in the crowd showed surprise at the result.
- Earned Bronze Medal
Sunday June 19th, 2016
- Corey Boyce vs Eren Bashford [Illinois] – Men’s B Division Light Cruiserweight [Championship Bout]
- Win – Judge’s Decision
- Corey once again dominated his opponent giving him an 8 count in the first round that nearly ended the fight. His opponent was game for the next two rounds but Corey was too strong and used his superior boxing skills to control the fight.
- Corey became Bermuda’s first ever Champion in a Muay Thai tournament
- Brad Dyck vs James Streiler [Missouri] – Senior Men’s Novice Light Heavyweight [Championship Bout]
- Win – Judge’s Decision
- Brad and James had an amazingly tough fight showing all aspects of Muay Thai. Brad used excellent conditioning and focus to pressure and out score his opponent winning the judge’s decision.
- Nikki Stoudt-Maries vs Heather Hudson [Manitoba] – Senior Women’s Novice Atomweight [Championship Bout]
- Win – Judge’s Decision
- Nikki displayed dominance over a significantly more experienced opponent. Nikki used hard kicks, punches, and knees to keep her opponent at bay and won a comfortable decision to be crowned Champion in her very first bout.
Well Done Team Bermuda,
Special commendation to Corey Boyce Belt Winner!!!!
Amazing, well done team BAMA!
Was truly an honor to represent my country for the very first time . Big thank you to coach Buck coach Chuck and the B.A.M.A family. Very proud of all the fighters. the team showed a lot of heart and dedication! One of the best moments in my life.!! Looking forward to next year!
My boy gunness!!!!