KICKBOXER CHICO KWASI defeated his rival Donovan Wisse in the middleweight bracket on Saturday in Rotterdam. Although Wisse was the favorite, Kwasi managed to trump him. However, that did not go smoothly. Wisse received the most jury votes in the first round, which seemed to set the tone for a victory. But the joy was short-lived, as he soon found himself in a less favorable position. Kwasi delivered a staggering blow to the head and then hit his opponent squarely on the chin. Ultimately the decision came in the fifth round; Kwasi got the job done with one split decision of the jury.
Two years ago he won the welterweight title and with the recent victory he is the third kickboxer ever to become champion in two weight classes. What is special is that both boxers fight under the Surinamese flag. While Surinamese or fighters with Surinamese roots abroad do well in strength and/or combat sports such as boxing, kickboxing, bodybuilding and weightlifting, our fighters in their own country continue to lag behind. From time to time, local competitions take place and individual athletes receive an invitation to a competition abroad.
Bodybuilding and weightlifting are expensive sports, mainly due to the diet that athletes have to follow. Many cannot afford this themselves and then appeal to the business community and/or society, but that usually does not bring the desired result.
Abroad, many professionals tackle strength and martial arts as a profession and this requires intensive training and preparation for competitions. In Suriname they are still in the amateur phase. This is a shame, because there is a lot to be gained in this sports category, even in international competitions. This also puts the country on the international sports map.
Experience has already shown that – given the less rosy situation in which Suriname finds itself economically – not much or nothing can be expected from the government, despite the well-declared intentions of the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports. The business community also often keeps a tight rein, especially when it comes to not very popular sports or individual athletes.
This newspaper has previously suggested the idea of a sports fund, into which the government, the business community and sports organizations would have to make periodic contributions. This fund could support athletes in their training and preparation for both local and international competitions.
