Stanford, CA - Stanford Muay Thai competed in the SF Bay Area Muay Thai Development League (MDL) on Saturday, Jan. 20 at the ECCL Fitness Center in Emeryville.
Seven Stanford Muay Thai athletes competed in MDL, an event approved by the World Boxing Council Muay Thai. Drawing over 200 athletes from a host of gyms, the MDL event featured technical sparring scrimmages and a direct feedback system from qualified judges, championing the cause of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within the competitive Muay Thai scene.
The excitement started early as freshman
Angel Gunaman entered the first round of her match. Making her first appearance in Stanford Muay Thai competition shorts, Gunaman controlled the rhythm of the fight with a well-executed clinch, neutralizing the opponent's offensive maneuvers and creating openings for powerful strikes.
"I wasn't really a clinch fighter before, but throughout the week we worked with Austin and in different gyms where I was taught different clinch drills: how to engage in the clinch, arms and everything," Gunaman said. "I found that my opponent didn't really know how to clinch, so I was able to take advantage of that."
Renowned for their difficulty in escaping,
Carmen Thong's opponent's clinch tactics added an extra layer of complexity to her match. Despite the opponent's strategic use of the monkey hold grip, Thong showcased resilience and strategic acumen, regaining control and counteracting with several well-placed teeps.
Saturday's event unfolded with the Cardinal skillfully orchestrating control and unwavering sportsmanship throughout. A confrontation ensued during
Pilli Cruz-De Jesus's match when his opponent faced several warnings after throwing aggressive haymakers without control. As the match progressed, Cruz-De Jesus adapted strategies, reading his opponent's moves with precision.
"During the match I felt really calm. I felt like the hard training and early mornings had paid off. I really have to thank our coach of Stanford Muay Thai
Austin Salcedo for putting in so much work to keep us sharp," Cruz-De Jesus wrote. "It was also a very unique experience because we were the only college there. The rest of the competitors came from gyms which specialized in Muay Thai, so being able to compete and hold our own was something we were all very proud of."
With a combination of calculated strikes and evasive maneuvers,
Dylan Hyun dictated the pace of his match. As
Gabriel Reygrobellet entered his third and final round, audience members counted 48 low kicks onto his opponent, rounding to a total of 62 successfully landed kicks in Reygrobellet's match.
Carlos Hernandez-Meza unleashed the formidable "Carlos Special" combination within his match, expertly executed to swiftly disengage from his opponent and disrupt their rhythm with a rapid-fire assault. In the closing match,
Devin Dollery engaged with a seasoned opponent, showcasing acute boxing skills.
Saturday's MDL event showcases the Cardinal's dedication to sharpening their technical skills and the team's commitment to an inclusive environment in the Muay Thai community.
