Ring Girl: 6/6/14
BY NICOLE KATO
This past year has been a time of physical and mental improvement for Ewa Beach’s Kevin Aguigui, who looks armed and ready for a comeback. “Get ready for Aug. 2 (MMA event) because a whole new Kevin is coming out to put on a show,” he says. This local boy specializes in kickboxing and Muay Thai, and loves how the Octagon brings out his competitive nature. Aguigui got involved in MMA fighting five years ago after his college football career ended in Mississippi. “I needed something to take its place when I got back home, so I decided to start training in American kickboxing and, after maybe a year or so, my coach asked me if I was interested in competing,” explains Aguigui, who holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from UH Manoa. His MMA record stands at 1-4, while his kickboxing mark is unblemished at 5-0. Aguigui trains under the watchful eyes of Rick Lee, Justin Mercado and Denny Sabala, and spends much of his time at CrossFit HI Town Fitness and Power House Gym, where he works as a trainer. A typical week of training for Aguigui might seem like bootcamp for many, but he revels in the physical labor. Five days a week he focuses on strength and conditioning, and adds the arduous and dreaded Koko Head Crater trail hike into his routine twice a week. Sparring, hitting mits, bag work, wrestling and grappling training occur three times a week, and jiu-jitsu is part of his busy schedule twice a week. Check future columns for more details on Aguigui’s summer fight … Congratulations to a slew of local boxers, who won in their respective weight classes in last weekend’s amateur bouts across Oahu. They are: Shaz Lopes, Koichi Tanji, Jake Villa, Keith Zalonka, Skyler Reyes, Cristopher Galaviz, Dani Kirkpatrick, Rudy Maneja, Eric Galdones Jr., Zachary Jones, Antonio Toetuu, Gaylord Balasi and Zachary Jones … Star Elite Cagefighting and Man Up & Stand Up once again bring amazing bouts to The Fix Sports Lounge & Night Club. Collin Mansanas and Neale Johnson are the stars in the June 14 main event, while Dan Ige and Spencer Higa go head to head in the co-main event. Other notables include Isaac Hopps (versus Tim Teves), and up-and-comers Vilmar Magday, Kenny Dusablon and Brian Pete. Ashley Kaopua (versus Chabrielle Gushi), Kairey Bermoy (versus Sadie Reyes), and Katherine Vincent (versus Jhoren Amodo) are scheduled to battle it out in women’s bouts. The action starts at 6:45 p.m. and doors open at 6. Call 372-8513 for tickets ($30/presale; $50/VIP) or more information. And check back next week for more details.
