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Future Star of Hawaiian MMA? Meet 7 year old Nainoa Dung |
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Local MMA News
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Future
Star
of Hawaiian MMA? Meet 7 year old Nainoa Dung!
Story and pictures by Rob Monroe – editor of MMA Hawaii
Big things can come in small packages and this is surely the case when considering Nainoa Dung’s vast skills at the ripe old age of seven years old. This first grader at
Kaala
Elementary school
is way beyond his seven years when you consider the talent that is possessed by this young fighter. According to his father and head trainer Noland Dung this young warrior had no interest in playing ball or video games or doing the things most kids do as youngsters. His father stated that he would sit and watch UFC and other fights with his father and be enthralled by the action. Completely focused on the action. Noland Dung “ We started to realize from the time he could walk that this is really what this boy wants to do. He wants to fight.â€
So began his training from an early age. Nainoa is training under his father/Head trainer Noland Dung and Co-trainer Sly Kekahuna at Uprising Fight Team in
Wahiawa
. I stumbled upon this young warrior while at the Central Oahu Jiu-Jitsu Camp in
Wahiawa
. I was stunned at the skills this youngster had and his ability to pick up new techniques and complex combinations extremely fast. His stand up is the first rate and most superior striking art of Muay
Thai.
His ability to execute the art is way beyond his 7 years of age. But both of his coaches feel that his best weapon at this time is his Jiu-Jitsu. As most Jiu-Jitsu practioners well know the level of understanding not only to learn the art but also to apply these techniques takes a great deal of work and intelligence. He has the technical ability of a seasoned fighter in his late teens if not that of an adult. If there was MMA full rules for 55lb kids there is no doubt in my mind that this boy would dominate. He is already sparring and working toward the goal of competing in full rules MMA.
Nainoa started out his young career a little different than most youngsters do. He was up against veteranTrystan Kamaka from 808 Fight Factory as the opening bout in a exhibition on the undercard of the ICON Sport card at the Neal Blaisdell Arena headlining none other than Jason “Mayhem†Miller. That would classify as starting out on the big stage that’s for sure.
Next up for Nainoa was to compete at the Kempo Unlimited Tournament at
St. Louis
High School
. Nainoa entered the continuous sparring division in the 55lb. weight class. In the first round Nainoa took the win by decision and received a buy in the second round. When he stood on the mat for the third round his opponent decided he wanted no part of Nainoa and bowed out. Nainoa went on to take the decision win in the final and take first place in the 55lb. division. The 66lb. winner had no one to face in the final match. Nainoa and his camp was quick to jump in and also win the 66lb. division. The sport Jiu-Jitsu division was next on the list. This division allowed kicks and strikes with takedowns and Jiu-Jitsu on the ground. Once again Nainoa showed his skill level and ended up taking home the first place trophy with nice stand up and superior ground work.
A little rest is in store as he and his father/trainer are taking a few days off and going to the water park for some unwinding. But Nainoa will be back in the gym and preparing to compete on the Kickin it Card on July 7th at the Waipahu Filcom Center . Nainoa’s team is looking to compete in anything and everything to get the valuable experience that it takes to make it to the top. Nainoa’s family is completely behind him and willing to make whatever sacrifices needed to reach their sons goal. As for now when the training session is over and Nainoa’s father is ready to head home the little warrior must be coaxed out of the gym. It is what he enjoys and its hard to get him away from it.
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