National athletes in kickboxing gets a taste of high-level competition during the pandemic when the National Kickboxing Series Leg 2 gets going on Friday at the Benguet Stadium in La Trinidad City.
Topping the list of competitors is former ONE Championship featherweight champion Team Lakay’s Honorio Banario, who will test the mettle of national pool member Carlos Alvarez in the 72-kg catchweight main event of the one-day tourney dubbed Adivay 2.
Banario is making a comeback in the fight sport after more than two years of inactivity.
“I was offered to make a comeback and compete in kickboxing. I’m taking this opportunity and let’s see what happens,” said Banario, who was once feared in ONE Championship for his deadly striking skills.
Alvarez, who was champion of the first leg of the National Series last July, said it’s privilege to face someone like Banario.
Other national athletes seeing action in the event co-organized by Team Lakay and the Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas, are Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Jean Saclag, silver medalists Jomar Balangui and Renalyn Daquel and bronze medalist Karol Maguide.
“During this pandemic, it’s important to have high-level competition for our athletes to keep them in shape,” said SKP secretary-general Wharton Chan
“After this event, we will send our national national athletes to training and sparring abroad to make them more ready for the SEA Games in Vietnam, ” Chan added.
Tournament director Geje Eustaquio said competitors from as far as Bicol, Rizal Province and Manila came to compete in the tourney, also supported by Pamilya Muna Partylist.