By Jay Velasco
Denver, Colorado was the site of the 2023 Adult National Championships hosting athletes from all over the US. The stakes were high, as the winners would advance to represent the United States at the World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand. This is the 30th installment of the World Championships which carries a rich history.
Many athletes came to Denver early to acclimate to the elevation. Easton Training Center provided a space for athletes to prepare, many returnees noting that the early preparations paid dividends to their conditioning. Athletes checked into the host hotel and were greeted with their USA Muaythai uniforms provided by Combat Corner. A mix of familiar and new faces were in attendance, filling the atmosphere with the excitement of match ups that have not been seen before. Past medalists, such as Aaron Ortiz, were there to defend their spots, while past participants, such as Donavan McKiver, were looking to improve on their previous performances.
Day 1 started with a 48 kg Female Elite match up with Alexis Asher besting Evangelina Blanco in a decision. Jalen Reyes would rally against Devon Scott in a 54 kg Male Elite showdown, while Donavan McKiver kicked off the U23 bouts winning all 3 rounds against Freddy Hurtado at 63.5 kg. Alyssa Readmond, a Denver native, took home a decision win against Jocelyn Breland in the 67 kg Female Elite category. Manuel Fernandez showed great technical skills against Iejnno Ortiz for the decision win at 67 kg Male Elite. David Serrano, who comes in with the least amount of experience in his bracket, was able to finish his 71 kg Male Elite competition against Ryan Sternberg in the 1st round. Finishing off the day were two 81 kg Elite Male competitions as Jibril Alim took the decision against Chris Arena and Greyson Secades was able to finish his bout with Julian Ansah in the 2nd round.
Day 2 saw Matt Cox take the decision against Devlyn Dragonfly at 63.5 kg Male Elite in a competition where all 3 rounds had at least one judge disagreeing with the others. Jordan Wilson, who showed a great display of speed and activity, took all 3 rounds against Oliver Jimenez in another 63.5 kg Male Elite competition.The 67 kg Male Elite category had Chike Obianyo besting Rithy Sar via decision while Manuel Fernandez came away with the win against Joao Teixeira, taking rounds 1 and 3. Returning gold medalist, Aaron Ortiz, came away with a first round knockout of Simon Isaac while Chip Moraza-Pollard came away with a stoppage of his own in the 2nd round against Huxley Martin, setting up an exciting fight in the finals at 86 kg Elite Male on Day 3. In the Gold Medal finals for the U23 competitions, Ahmad Alatmah won with a big knee to the body in the first against Edwin Casillas at 60 kg, Donavan McKiver took all 3 rounds against Attila Errett at 63.5 kg with Andy Kiecker also taking all 3 rounds against Jules Rouse-Caudle at 81 kg. Congratulations to our U23 Gold Medal winners!
Day 3 had many intriguing matchups, with first time participants facing returning athletes. That started off with Yasmin Eubanks taking the Gold Medal 63.5 kg Female Elite against Erin Clayton, last year’s Gold Medal winner. Jeannie Nguyen wins Gold at 48 kg Female Elite against Alexis Asher, while Caia Knoles takes the last two rounds to win Gold at 51 kg Female Elite against Freshta Sherzad. Summer Bronco survives a late rally from Megan Washam to take a decision and the Gold Medal at 54 kg Female Elite, a match up many praised for both their technical abilities. Hometown hero Alyssa Readmond takes the Gold Medal at 67 kg Female Elite with a first round stoppage of Venus Smith. In the only Bronze medal affair, Chris Arena takes the decision against Julian Ansah at 81 kg Male Elite. With both athletes hailing from Chicago, Alexander Hernandez takes the decision against Jalen Reyes at 54 kg Male Elite for the Gold. Bay Area native Matt Cox bests Jordan Wilson via decision for Gold at 63.5 kg Elite Male and Manuel Fernandez stops Chike Obianyo in the 3rd for Gold at 67 kg Male Elite. David Serrano continues to impress with a win over veteran Brandon Maisonet for Gold at 71 kg Male Elite via second round KO while Jibril Alim gets the stoppage in the 3rd against Greyson Secades in a Gold Medal match up at 81 kg Male Elite. The final match of the day was a highly anticipated match up against returning Gold Medalist Aaron Ortiz going up against veteran Chip Moraza-Pollard with Aaron Ortiz taking all 3 rounds to become the Gold Medalist at 86 kg Male Elite.
Also winning their divisions due to walkovers or were unopposed are Amy Duke for 57 kg Female Elite, Tierra Brandt for 60 kg Female Elite, Mahmut Ates for 60 kg Male Elite, and Adam Reynolds for 91 kg Male Elite.
Thank you to our sponsors Combat Corner, Dr. Kronic’s Wonder Tonic, Impact Custom Mouthguards, Muay Thai Advisory Group, Pu’u Muaythai, TKO Physical Therapy, and Authentic Muaythai Supply for all their support! See everyone in Bangkok!