HILO — Toughman Hawai‘i’s Next Generation Season 2 finale was held last Friday and Saturday at the Hilo Civic Auditorium, hosting one of the top youth kickboxing events in the Pacific.
Over 100 athletes made their way into Hilo to compete in one of the biggest junior-division event Hawai‘i has ever seen. Several mainland teams came to the island to challenge all of the Hawai‘i schools from across the state. Forty total fights and 15 divisional titles were given out — capping off two amazing shows. The level of talent that came across the water to take on the Hawai‘i keiki was next-level. I have never seen so many happy keiki in one place in a long time, and that was part of our goal. We have created something no one else has ever done and we plan on running strong into next season.
On the Friday night card, there were 21 fights with a handful of the winners advancing to Saturday’s finals. One of the biggest fights on the card was Molokai’s Japeth Kaholoaa at 170 pounds. Kaholoaa is a force to be reckoned with, as he took on a tough opponent in Zane Martin from the Grace Academy — overcoming a near knock-down in the first round. He persevered and took it to Martin — going back and forth, as these two warriors had no quit in them. In the end, Kaholoaa would be the victor, advancing to the championship round against a very savvy RJ Joaquin.
Deiter Dela Cruz and Kenden Flores put on a heck of a fight, ultimately leading Flores into the finals. Rey Chavarria came from San Jose, Calif. with a fiery look in his eyes — taking out longtime Next Generation fighter Janson Keanu to advance. Shelby (Might Mouse) Tabios had her hands full, as she ran into a very-determined Bethany Geben, who had dropped down one division to challenge Tabios for the Title. These two young ladies went at it for five full rounds. Tabios dropping Geben early in the fight only started a fire inside of her. Geben came back strong, letting everyone know that a belt was going home with her — winning the flyweight title in a five-round decision.
Jovanna Cortez came to Hilo to fight the No. 1 contender and one of the strongest junior division girls fighters in the tournament, Mila Gambol. From the opening bell, these two went at it. Cortez controlled the fight most of the way, with Gambol coming back in spurts — which proved to be a little too late, as Cortex won the title in that division.
Gemar Alvarado came out of his shell Friday, taking on a tough opponent from O‘ahu trying to advance into the finals. Alvarado dominated most of the fight with his power kicks and punches. He was on fire, showing the hometown fans that he was back and hunting for that strap. Alvarado won and moved on to Saturday night.
Skyler Alvarado took on undefeated Tristan Davidson from O‘ahu for the strawweight title. This match went back and forth for five rounds, as they traded everything they had trying to become the champion in that division. Alvarado won by decision. Nalu Moniz went up one weight to take on Justin Gamboa from O‘ahu. Moniz, showing the crowd the true champion he is, got the nod in this one.
Hehiapono Miller… well you had to be there to see this one. Miller’s shoulder popped out of the socket in the early part of the third round, refusing medical attention. Miller stepped back, rotated his shoulder to reverse-pop it, and then went on to capture the title in unbelievable fashion. This is what you call a true champion.
On Saturday’s event, Mario Ramirez captured the first-ever Pee Wee Championship belt — beating a very tough Makua Perrin after they both fought on Friday night. These two young boys, 7 years old, are going to be something special as they grow up. Kiaralyn Hanaoka from Molokai came into Hilo to take on Abby Kahalawai. An exhausted Hanaoka, with her persistence, pushed forward to win this one. Melody Garcia from San Jose, Calif., took on Tori Anderson from O‘ahu. Garcia got the win.
Japeth Kaholoaa took on RJ Joaquin in a 170-pound title fight. Kaholoaa proved to be too much for Joaquin, and not only captured the title, but was awarded ‘Outstanding Performance’ for both nights. Keep your eyes on this kid, Hawai‘i.
Tepoe Dudoit came into Hilo with a vengeance to overcome her last performance at Civic. Dudoit beat her opponent on Friday, then came back Saturday to beat Naveah Bargas of San Jose, Calif., to put herself in an automatic title shot against our champion Bethany Geben when we start Season 3.
Jhayse Gines against Maximo Kyle was an amazing fight. Gines, the smaller opponent, was on fire. These kids are the pinnacle of what this show is about. Both started off the first season with a loss, then bounced back with four consecutive wins to meet in the finals. Gines not only won the title, but also ‘Fighter of the Year.’ This little guy is our new champion and an amazing kid.
Gemar Alvarado came back after a tough fight on Friday night to take on the reigning No. 1 contender La‘akolu Miller for the vacant title. Back and forth, these two heavy hitters fought with huge punches and unbelievably-strong kicks for five rounds of non-stop action. In the end, the judges favored Miller.
Capone Sunberg and Nowelo Miller went five rounds for the title, leaving fans in awe as the fight was so close, being just a 1-point decision. Miller was crowned champion. Emilliano Rodriques came into the Civic as reigning champion, taking on former welterweight champion Keeyen Flores, who dropped down 2 divisions to make this fight happen. This was the main event of Saturday Night.
Rodriques came out firing kicks and punches, looking like Flores was in trouble. But Keeyen turned on the switch and pushed the fight. In the second round, Flores landed a straight right that rocked Rodriques, and the tables turned from there. The referee stopped the fight, crowning Flores champion.
This was an amazing event, and the keiki made history — that’s for sure. We want to thank all the fans that came out and all the teams that traveled from near and far to be a part of this magnificent weekend.
Season 3 starts March 22 here in Hilo; mark your calendars as we welcome international fighters from around the world.
The awards winners from both nights can be found below.
Friday
Outstanding Individual Performance: Kia’I Miller, Tepoe Dudoit, Zane Martin, Skyler Alvarado, Gemar Alvarado, Niko Frias, Nalu Moniz, Hehiapono Miller, Rey Chavarria, Japeth Kaholoaa and Jovanna Cortez.
Best Fight of the Night: Shelby Tabios vs. Bethany Geben; Dieter Dela Cruz vs. Kendyn Flores.
Saturday
Outstanding Individual Performance: Mario Ramirez, Kiaralyn Hanaoka, Xavier Tovar, Melody Garcia, Japeth Kaholoaa, Tepoe Dudoit, Elijah Joaquin, Jhayse Gines and Keeyen Flores.
Coach of the Year: Delbert Grace, Grace Academy; Isaiah Hill, San Jose, Calif.
Best Team Performance of the Year: Grace Academy; Hills Training, San Jose Calif.
Most Improved Fighters of the Year: Nowelo Miller; Elijah Joaquin.
Fighters of the Year: Jhayse Gines; Hehiapono Miller.
Official champions list
• Kamila Adame, Hills Training, San Jose, Calif.
• Jhayse Gines SWR, Puna
• Bethany Gebens, Grace Acadeny, Hilo
• Mario Ramirez, Hills Training, San Jose Calif.
• Ezekial Ponce, Hills Training, San Jose Calif.
• Japeth Kaholoaa, Molokai Hui, Molokai, Hawaii
• La’akolu Miller, Grace Academy, Hilo
• Keeyen Flores, SWR, Puna
• Elijah Joaquin, Joaquins Brothers, Hilo
• Jovanna Cortez, Hills Training, San Jose Calif.
• Skyley Alvarado, SWR, Puna
• Nalu Moniz, Grace Academy, Hilo
• Treysten Liopoldino, Free Lance, Puna
• Anthony Cardenas, Hills Training, San Jose Calif.
• Hehiapono Miller, Grace Academy, Hilo
• Nowelo Miller, Grace Academy, Hilo
-Walter Carvalho, Special to West Hawaii Today and Hawaii Tribune-Herald