JEDDAH: Mustafa Omrani stole the show in the first ever Kickboxing Championship which was organized by Sport-Tech Gym here Wednesday. Over 40 competitors took part in this one-day event which saw keen duels in three weight classes – heavy (90 kg), middle (80 kg) and light (60 kg). Mustafa Omrani, who emerged champion in the middle-weight category, was adjudged as the overall champion of the championship. The prestigious heavy-weight title was claimed by Ali Barnawi who beat Yaser Al-Taify. Hasan Hebshi won the lightweight crown. The championship was conducted under the supervision of Master Waleed Kassas of the Internatioinal Federation for Kickboxing. According to Mohamed Noh, owner of the gym, the goal of the event was to support the youth in Saudi Arabia so that they may improve in health, strength, and confidence. Abdullah Al-Qutni, one of the judges here who had supervised the world championship in Morocco, said that Chinese and the Japanese were the best in the world in self defense. But after the modern self defense skills were developed other nations have started catching cup with the Chinese and Japanese. Mohammed Noh promised that this is just a beginning of more events in January next.
