The western communities are populated by many world-class athletes across a number of sports. You can now add 12-year-old Wellington resident Isaac Marley Ramirez to that list.
Ramirez is a World Boxing Council (WBC) Muay Thai kickboxing champion. Muay Thai kickboxing is known as the “art of eight limbs” because fighters use all eight limbs — knees, elbows, kicks and punches — during competition.
For Ramirez, it has been a busy year of travel and competition. In April, he was in Arizona, where he competed and became the west coast national champion at the U.S. Muay Thai Open. At this event, he competed under the A Class. Because of his victory, he was selected for Team USA to compete in the WBC Muay Thai World Championships, which were held at the Palasport Arsenale in Venice, Italy, from June 22-25.
This event attracted 440 fighters from 49 countries. In Italy, Ramirez faced an opponent from France in the world championship final in the 44 kilo (95 to 97 pound) bracket for 10-11-year-old contestants. In that championship match, Ramirez was dominant. He won the gold medal by a unanimous decision in three rounds, which made him the best in the world.
“He is officially ranked best in the world in his bracket,” said Tony Ramirez, Isaac’s father.
To stay in championship form, Isaac currently trains in West Palm Beach at the Florida Kickboxing Academy under head coach Asa Ten Pow. The other coaches are Jason Somchay, Stephen Bobinchuck and Emilio Pineda.
“We are getting nothing but the best training for Isaac,” his father said. “We are very blessed to be training with a team of pros.”
On the academic front, Ramirez will be attending the Western Academy Charter School beginning this August. His next big competition in 2024 will be the WBC World Games in Thailand.
