Photo By Sgt. Uriah Walker | 2nd Lt. Tobin Cooper, Inland Cargo Transfer Company, is declared victorious over his...... read more read more
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DAEGU, South Korea – Twenty-nine competitors fought for their chance to stand atop the podium and claim victory in their respective weight classes during the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command’s 2nd Quarterly Combatives Tournament, June 10. Many were returning champions in their respective weight classes hoping to defend their titles, while others were new graduates of the Modern Army Combatives Program Level 1 course simply hoping to put their skills to the test and gain confidence in their trained abilities.
Multiple fighting styles were displayed during the competition showcasing soldier commitment to self-development. While several of the 29 fighters brought their best MACP training, ultimately those with advanced experience in disciplines ranging from muay thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing and wrestling emerged victorious.
6th Ordnance Battalion’s 1st Lt. Nathan Santhanam playfully eluded in his fight promotion video about “bailing hay” since he was three years old. At 5 feet 3 inches and 135 pounds, Santhanam, known in the gym as ‘Mighty Mouse’, demonstrated his grappling prowess during his semi-final and championship matches winning both via submission by arm bar in order to defend his title as the lightweight champion.
“I’ve actually never bailed hay in my life,” he joked after the finals. “But yes, wresting is a big thing for me, I hold it very near and dear to my heart, I’ve been doing it the majority of my life. Even with Pvt. [Joe] Lopez throwing those big hands out there it helped me out in the finals. I love doing this kind of stuff … winning is always nice but if you don’t love what you do it’s kind of empty.”
Middleweight competitor, 19-year-old Pfc. Montrell Hunter, 36th Signal Battalion, came out to prove his standup skills as a boxer. Hunter, a four-time Golden Gloves champion from Chicago, had an obvious advantage during the final round where advanced rules applied. Advanced rules allow the fighters to use punches to the face, unlike intermediate rules where only open hand slaps are allowed. His opponent, Spc. Gilbert Almonte, 551st Inland Cargo Transfer Company, knew about his boxing skills and took the match to the ground. What he did not know was that Hunter maintained a strong ground game as well.
“I’ve been boxing for 12 years, since I was seven years old,” said Hunter. “I won my first Golden Gloves when I was 15.”
He attributed his boxing experience for being able to remain calm and focused during his matches, even when the fight went to the ground.
“I was pretty calm [about my fights],” continued Hunter. “I didn’t want to rush myself or only go for a knockout. Tonight was about having fun.”
Heavyweight competitor Staff Sgt. Ronald Swanson, 36th Signal Battalion, began MACP training in 2011 and became an instructor in 2013 but has never competed himself.
“I had nerves and butterflies about who I was going to fight,” said Swanson. “I’ve only trained in MACP, it’s little bits of everything [various fighting styles], I don’t have one focus of any kind of style.”
In preparation for the tournament, competitors sought opportunities to cross train in additional disciplines in order to gain an advantage on the mat. For three members of Team 19 who have been training together, Santhanam, 2nd Lt. Tobin Cooper and Spc. LaTrale Noland, their varied backgrounds were key to winning their weight classes.
“We all bring something new to the table which is nice,” said Santhanam. “2nd Lt. Cooper is really good with Brazilian jiu-jitsu, I have a very extensive wrestling background and Spc. Noland is really, really good with throwing hands and boxing. So, between the three of us we all have something that makes each other better.”
The winners will go on to represent 19th ESC in the Eighth Army-Korea combatives tournament at Yongsan scheduled for June 30.
| Date Taken: | 06.10.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 06.15.2017 02:01 |
| Story ID: | 237935 |
| Location: | DAEGU, KR |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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