HILO — Earlier this month at the Toughman Hawaii Next Generation kickboxing semifinals, a pair of young girls impressed audiences and combat sports veterans alike — fighting twice on the night.
Those girls were 10-year-old Navaeh Ha‘o, of Kona — and Mila Gambol, of Hilo.
Gambol won the first fight, but Ha‘o came away with the win her first Toughman Junior Division title. Both girls captivated the judges and event staff so much that their second fight was declared Best Fight of the Night.
“I knew that this fight was gonna be different, because I went to watch both girls train prior to the event,” Toughman promoter Walter Carvalho said. “They’re the two most competitive little girls at their age, it’s unbelievable what they’re capable of doing.”
Both girls have also shown excellence and made noteworthy acheievements outside of the ring.
Nevaeh Ha‘o
Ha‘o has spent a large portion of her life training, and her father is a professional martial artist. Her parents, Scotty and Alexus Ha‘o, own and operate The Process Martial Arts Academy in Kona.
“Eventually (the gym) is gonna be hers,” her mother said. “That’s her dream. Now, she has the run of the gym.”
Ha‘o originally trained in jiu jitsu, but branched out into kickboxing only a year ago. Her mother said that she strains for three to four hours a day. She had her first kickboxing fight only six months prior to the Toughman.
The lack of kickboxing opportunities in Kona inspired her parents to open their gym.
“She would train with Scotty at our house, but it was just different,” Alexus said. “She didn’t have the kids to train with. We just opened our gym a few months ago, and now she has the kids to train with. It’s great, you can definitely see the progress.”
The day after winning the Toughman title, Ha‘o was immediately back in the gym training.
“She definitely has a lot of things to work on,” her mother said. “As soon as she won, the next day she was in the gym working on some problems. She’s very, very dedicated.”
Ha‘o goes to school at ‘Ehunuikaimalino, and is fluent in ‘Olelo Hawai‘i. She did her entire Toughman post-fight interview in the Hawaiian language.
Her parents and people in her community have come to know her for her kind spirit and selflessness,
“She’s one of those kids who if you need something, she’s right there,” her mother said. “She’ll give you the shirt off of her back. She’s always there for everybody. Really big heart.”
Mila Gambol
Daughter of longtime lightweight Toughman fighter Bronson Gambol, Mila has a dedication to sports and academics that is unique for her age.
She was recently named Waiakea Elementary School’s Student of the Year, and is also an avid volleyball player.
“She’s just an amazing little girl,” Carvalho said. “I watch her train, running four or five miles every day with the boys, she trains with boys. Her sparring partners are all boys.”
Gambol has been training since she was 6 years old.
“When she’s training, she’s really focused and determined,” said her father, “but when she has that little bit of free time, she’s always playful — always nice. She has a good temperment in terms of turning it on and off — when to stay focused, when to have fun.”
Bronson Gambol said that what’s most impressive about his daughter is her great success in areas besides fighting.
“The school part is huge for me,” he said. “I’m really competitive in everything, and when it comes to sports, it’s super easy for me. But she just blows my mind with the school part, it’s way beyond what I’ve ever been and ever thought she could be.”
Though Gambol and Ha‘o will not face off again in the upcoming Toughman Next Generation finals, Carvalho said that he and many others are itching to see the pair fight again in the future.
“They’re gonna meet again,” Carvalho said. “The beginning of next season will start March or April. They’ll probably compete as separate girls, but the winners will meet in the finals. This thing is gonna go on.”
Toughman Next Generation finals
The Toughman Next Generation finals are slated for September 23 at Civic Auditorium.