Jujeath Nagaowa Ready to be the Face of Filipina MMA Fighters

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Benguet-native Jujeath Nagaowa who has a 2-0 record for MMA, having fought for another international MMA organization is back in action with Las Vegas-based World Series of Fighting Global (WSOF Global). Her much anticipated comeback is slated on July 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for WSOF GC 3’s Philippines vs. The World Fight.

Her MMA fans would remember her exciting bouts in her previous fights, wherein she would compete for the undercard. Most fans recall that they had to make sure that they arrive at the stadium on time to catch her fight, which was usually the first one in a card of ten matches. Fans from up North would also trek down to Manila just to watch her fight.

The Philippines has yet to see its best Filipina MMA fighter. Jujeath Nagaowa is its best bet. A trained boxer and a former titleholder for the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) light flyweight division, she was also a former WBC Asian Boxing Council Female Atomweight titleholder. She was once interviewed in Wall Street Journal, which had a headline that read, ‘Female Boxer Fights to Open Mixed Martial Arts Doors for Filipino Women’.

Nagaowa says, “I’m more than ready, I’ve been waiting to stage a comeback. Buong puso ko at buong isip ko ibibigay ko sa laban na ito. Gusto ko ipakita sa kababayan natin na kaya ng Pilipina lumban sa mag taga ibang bansa.” Jujeath is set to go against Japanese MMA fighter Yuko Kiryu, in WSOF GC3’s fight card, which highlights Philippines vs. the World.

SPARTA Presents Biggest Calisthenics Event in the Country, Hari ng Baras

Wazzup Pilipinas!

SPARTA Calisthenics Academy (SCA), which is housed in the hectare-wide sports facility - SPARTA along Pioneer Avenue in Mandaluyong City, is set to present another groundbreaking calisthenics event in the country, called HARI NG BARAS.

SPARTA Calisthenics Academy created the biggest gathering of calisthenics practitioners and followers last year, when it launched its SPARTA Battle of the Bars event. The event saw an attendance of 300 followers and participants. It sparked an interest in the fitness industry after thefirst calisthenics event was held in the country, and this year, it expects to have a “bigger and better event”, this according to Amanda Fernandez, owner of SPARTA.

“Since last year’s event, I feel more people have practiced their endurance, strength, and creativity. I can't wait to see how the past contestants improved since the last calisthenics competition. We may even have those who couldn't make it last year finally come by this year”, Fernandez continues.

SPARTA Calisthenics Academy’s Founder Ton Vergel de Dios says, “SPARTA Hari ng Baras this year is a level up from SPARTA Battle of the Bars last November. This year, a mobile bar set up will be used outdoors for the event. The rig was designed specifically for showcasing skills and strength with bodyweight movements.”

“Competitors from last year's battle of the bars can expect tougher competition this year at SPARTA Hari ng Baras. There will be athletes coming from all over the country including Baguio and Iloilo”, Vergel de Dios adds.

Participants who are part of Philippine Street Workout and Calisthenics Association or PSWCA may register for free while non-members may easily join the group or pay a small fee to join the reps battles. 1x1 and 2x2 skills battles registration is nearly complete and those interested may message SPARTA Philippines on Facebook.

Prizes at stake include cash prize, gear from 2xu and Vamos socks. Event sponsors include Vita Coco and Gatorade.

SPARTA is located along Pioneer Street in Mandaluyong City. For more information, please call 6553799 or 0977-7634402.

Boracay Youth Soars to Podium Finish at Kiteboarding World Championships

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Young water sport champ Christian Tio reached for the skies and the top spot, finishing third in the U19 (under 19) Men’s category, at the 2016 Kiteboarding Youth Cup (KYC) held from June 27 to July 3, 2016 at Camping La Ballena Alegre in the coastal region of Costa Brava, Spain. Maxime Chabloz from Switzerland and Roman Giuliano from France came in at first and second places, respectively.

The first four days saw Tio, a Boracay native and the Philippines’ first-ever Red Bull international sponsored athlete, weathering unfavorable wind conditions and rendered him initially unable to complete a full run on testy waters. In time, the tides turned and Tio pulled through with an impressive combination of his signature moves – easily knocking out his quarter-final competitor but failing to surprass the Frenchman Giuliano in the Semi-Finals due to sporadic winds and consistency.

Tio has competed and ranked number 2 in the world twice before: in the consecutive riding seasons of 2014 and 2015 at what was then dubbed the Junior Virgin Kitesurfing World Championships also held in Costa Brava.

Organizers of the KYC, recognizing 15-year-old Tio’s above average skill level, moved him up from the U17 (under 17) category to the U19. Despite the age discrepancy, the young athlete was still the number 1 seed among fellow competitors – further proof of his exceptional, world-class talent.