Sport
4 December, 2020
Geyl Power
Jessica Geyl of Fusion Fight and Fitness Cairns is the only female Muay Thai title holder in North Queensland after winning the Muay Thai Queensland (MTQ) Junior Middleweight Title on Saturday, November 21.
More than 800 people crowded Fred Moule pavilion for the explosive night of Muay Thai which saw Cairns locals win two Queensland titles.
In the third instalment of the 2020 Elite Fight Series organised by Explosive Fight Promotions, Geyl defeated Kristin Filitonga of The Fight Academy (Destination Fitness Cairns) in all rounds to take home the title.
Geyl’s trainer Paul Hosking said it was a massive achievement.
“This was the third fight between Jessy and Kristin and they had won one each, so this fight was for the belt and to round out the trilogy so it was a pretty big fight for both,” he said.
“Jessy really improved since their last meeting. We covered all bases in our training so she was ready for everything.”
The former national ice-skating champion and mother of two decided to take on Muay Thai as a new challenge just two years ago.
“She had a plan to fight for a title and now she has achieved that goal in just two years. She’s done really well and who knows, maybe now we’ll go for the Australian title,” said Hosking.
In the other events, Thomas McRoberts of the Fight Academy (Destination Fitness Cairns) defeated Isaac Papali of Kaos Martial Arts in Brisbane to take home the Queensland Cruiserweight Title.
The main event saw Clayton Cook of Fusion Innisfail narrowly miss out on the Super Middleweight Title which went to Corey Crittenden of Crittenden Muay Thai in Caboolture.
Cook, who had defeated Crittenden at their previous encounter, brought Crittenden down with carefully placed leg kicks in the first three rounds. But in a twist of events an elbow strike from Crittenden in the fourth round left Cook with a split lip and brought the fight to an end.
“You’ve got to love the Muay Thai game, one minute you’re winning every round, the next they’re calling it off because of a cut,” said Cook.
“Thanks Corey for a tough fight.”
Muay Thai, a form of kickboxing which originated in Thailand and incorporates Buddhist principles, has skyrocketed in Far North Queensland since it was first introduced around 25 years ago. Vince Parks from Full Boar gym in Cooktown has been training fighters in the far north for 25 years.
The sport’s popularity was easily recognisable from the hundreds of cheering supporters at the November 21 event.
Next year’s Elite Fight Series will be held on March 13, June 5 and September 11 and tickets are available now from Explosive Fight Promotions.
