The experience of JKD Unlimited’s Molly Helsel rang through, especially in the latter stages of the first-ever women’s kickboxing match on Kaua‘i.
Rhiannon Morales of the Garden Isle fell in a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27) after three rounds.
The Pat Cortez Kickboxing fighter learned that keeping her emotions under control is very important.
“Adrenaline took over and I don’t remember the match at all, but I can’t wait to see the video,” Morales said.
The Garden Island’s second MMA (mixed martial arts) tournament at Kapa‘a High School’s gym on Saturday proved to be a learning curve for Morales.
“I held my own and I didn’t know what to expect going in, but I’ll definitely do it again and hopefully I’ll focus more and not let my emotions take over,” Morales noted.
But even if she came away with only bruises and a third round loss, Morales still feels a sense of accomplishment.
I guess now I know what it feels like being in the ring and the next time should be better,” Morales said.
Along the way, the Kaua‘i girl made her home crowd proud in the first-ever women’s kickboxing event on the island.
In the main event, Kaua‘i’s Eben Kaneshiro of Ka-Mole Jiu Jitsu, upended 808 Fight Factory’s Rob Villapando, by submission via triangle choke at the 1:37 mark of round two.
Another Kaua‘i success was the domination of Lebeau Lagmay, who won in the first 57 seconds of the fight against Frank Shamrock Academy’s Odell Mixon. Lagmay utilized a rear naked choke to get Mixon to submit.
Bulls Pen fighter Eric Marino defeated 808’s Aaron Rose in a unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 29-28). In a Jiu Jitsu bout, Brad Scott won 4-2 over Longman’s Ryan Eniem.
In a messy match, Quicksilva Boxing’s Albert Bactad and Oki Gym’s Adam Britto were both disqualified.
808’s Jumar Dumalao won a majority decision (29-28, 29-29, 29-28) over Oki Gym’s Isaac Josiah. Meanwhile, Bulls Pen’s Lorenzo Moreno KO’d Kaua‘i’s Kaimi Bermoy in the second round.
Bulls Pen continued to put the hurt on Kaua‘i fighters, as Tim Lapitan won by unanimous decision over Quicksilva’s Kainoa Silva, 30-27, 30-25, 30-27.
Bulls Pen’s Marcus Moreno defeated Kaua‘i’s Brandon Wong by unanimous decision, 27-25, 29-28, 29-27.
Ka-Mole Jiu Jitsu’s Eric Pajdak submitted via triangle choke at the 1:37 mark to Sydney Silva and Bulls Pen fighter Keith Delima ousted Quicksilva’s Jacob Solar by unanimous decision, 28-24, 30-27, 29-24.
