By GABRIEL KATUHO
JACKSON Newman from Enag Province claimed the national kickboxing championship title of the last man standing 8 eliminators during the one-day tournament in Port Moresby on July 7.
Newman went into 70kg division in the main bout, comprising four fights with three minutes in each round.
He challenged two NCD fighters in first and second fights before meeting a fighter from Central province in the third fight.
Newman defeated Central province fighter in the finals to claim the National kickboxing Championship title.
Newman’s victory was an outcome of discipline, consistency and high level of concentration with outstanding skills that got crowds on their feet on Sunday night at Sir John Guise Stadium Indoor complex.
Being one of the two fighters representing Enga province, Newman never made it easier for other provincial fighters to knock him out.
With 20 fights in his career recording 15 wins and 5 loses, Newman has added the championship title to his story by becoming one of the outstanding fighters in the province and the country.
In an interview with the Sunday Bulletin Newspaper, he said that his fight was not just to win the championship title but a display of what Enga province is capable of achieving.
“My fight was more than just winning the title but I want to show the country that my province, Enga, still has a future,” he said.
“I am trying my best to display the good picture to my brothers and youths in Enga through sports,” Newman said.
He urged them (youths from Enga) to refrain from consuming homebrew and illicit drugs as they are not healthy for their minds.
He outlined that media has painted bad image for his province and whilst representing his province in the sports, he stands tall to restore the good name of the province.
Newman’s mother Dorine Arlo, who is also an owner of the JDN builders, has been supportive throughout his career.
For Newman’s trip to Port Moresby to participate in the tournament, Arlo committed K500.
His father Jacob Wambun, who is a former martial artist, was Newman’s first trainer and both accompanied their son to Port Moresby to witness his victory.
While congratulating their son’s victory, the parents said that it was through their discipline that he has come this far.
“I always encouraged him to take education and sports seriously,” his mother Arlo said.
“At times he ended up in prison but I was very vocal in his behavioral change and invested in his interest.
“I told him that guns are not good because they bring destruction and will lead to death,” Arlo said.
Mr Wambun was also a proud father who expressed his gratitude towards his son’s victory.
He appealed to the provincial government to support different sporting codes in the province to get the youths involved.
Through sports, Mr Wambun believes it will unite youths in the province.
With only a return ticket from the provincial government, the two Enga fighters were able to put up a good fight representing the province.
Coach, fighter and president of Enga Kickboxing, Mr. Noah Rasak was also supportive to Newman’s victory.
Rasak also represented the province in the tournament but lost to Alex Warapot in the same division.
“Our coming was a late notice,” Rasak said.
“The Enga Provincial government gave us the return ticket only and no extra funding for the lunch and accommodations,” he said.
Mr Rasak who is the head teacher for the Wei SDA Primary School in Wabag District, congratulated his brother for the victory.
Head Coach of the Country, Nelson Samson, congratulated Newman for the victory, saying he never expected such result for Enga.
Samson was amazed by the performance of Newman’s performance.
Samson, who is an Engan based in Port Moresby and represented PNG in international stages, said he is happy that the belt has gone to Enga.
“As long as I am the Head Coach of the country, I will make sure my two brothers will continue to participate in many tournaments and make sure they become the champions,” Samson said.
Newman returns to Enga the next day where he will keep the belt with him in a duration of six months before they host the next championship to defend the title.
