PAPUA New Guinea’s renowned martial artist Master Jamuga Stone will be the first to represent the country. He will take the ring to officiate at the 2024 World Kickboxing Championship in Alicante, Spain.

PNG Kickboxing Federation president Stanley Nandex stated that Master Stone’s inclusion is an added bonus. This benefits the national team’s participation in the international event.

“Master Stone is one of many instrumental people in fight sports and especially with our organization here.”

“It is an absolute honor to be invited as the first referee from PNG. I will represent the World Championships in this event.”

Nandex said PNG has never had a referee attend a world class event in past years. This achievement will be recorded in the code’s successful history.

“We’ve never had any PNG local referee at a world class event,” he said. “Master Stone’s inclusion is another success for PNGKBF.”

Meanwhile Master Stone has refereed over 200 bouts in the code since his inclusion in 2002.

“I’ve refereed about 200 fights. Receiving such an invitation is an honor. This will be unprecedented for any sporting code. No national referee has taken the same stage in the ring before.”

He said he’s hopeful to gain more experience from the international level. He aims to return and continue to uphold that experience in PNG’s local and national kickboxing tournaments.