Team Lakay’s young guns gained valuable experience in Shooto, says Mark Sangiao

Team Lakay are coming home with a wealth of lessons and experience following their stint in Shooto last Monday, May 6 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

Jerome Wanawan, Jared Almazan, and Jean Claude Saclag all fell short against their respective Japanese foes that day.

Wanawan was knocked out by Ryohei Kurosawa; Almazan was submitted by Koha Minowa; and Saclag dropped a decision to Ryo Okada.

They might not have tasted victory in ‘The Land Of The Rising Sun’, but Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao remains upbeat as the team’s young athletes gained significant experience internationally.

“It was still a good showing for us,” Sangiao said.

“Even though we did not get a win, our new athletes were able to gain significant experience.

“Jean Claude and Jared were making their international debuts, and Jerome last fought five years ago,” he added.

ONE Championship and Shooto announced a partnership last January as “The Home Of Martial Arts” continues to strengthen the Asian martial arts scene.

In the set-up, Shooto World Champions will receive an opportunity to compete in ONE. The winner of the All-Japan Amateur Shooto Championship will get to train at Evolve MMA in Singapore for one year.

While their ONE dreams will have to wait, Sangiao is thankful for this kind of set-up between the two organizations, as it provides more opportunities for athletes all over Asia to strut their wares.

“This is only the beginning, and we are hoping that we can develop a very good relationship with Shooto, like what we have with ONE, so we can continuously send athletes abroad,” the coach explained.

“That’s our goal — for our athletes to reach the international stage. Once they get there, it’s all about polishing their skills further so they’ll be ready for the bigger stage.”