Billy Wins Silver Medal - Aspires For Gold
By Robert Thomas
Moose Jaw’s Cameron Billy recently won a silver medal in the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) Amazing Muay Thai Festival.
Held in Verona, Italy the tournament brought together 800 athletes from all over the globe.
Fighting in the C class 91 kg he managed a 2 - 1 record fighting another Canadian in the finals.
Muay Thai is known to many as Thai Boxing or Thai Kick Boxing. It is the national sport of Thailand.
The silver medal was a major accomplishment for the 19 year old Moose Jaw resident who has spent three years training at Contro Jiu Jitsu.
Cameron Billy sparring on Tuesday evening - MJ Independent photo
“It feels great. It feels great having everyone back home supporting me. It’s just amazing,” he said.
Billy hopes to improve his abilities by going to train Thailand. At the present time he is looking sponsors to help defer costs.
Presently he spars in Regina along with talented athletes in Moose Jaw.
Although not yet an Olympic sport and so far officially it so far will not be at the 2028 Olympics he said “this is the closest it has Ben (as an Olympic sport).”
Cameron Billy (right) lines up a sparring partner - MJ Independent photo
Presently the sport is illegal in Saskatchewan. It forced Billy to try out in Winnipeg where it is legal.
“They (Saskatchewan) don’t like blows with legs to the head.”
Fights and tournaments must be approved and sanctioned by the Saskatchewan Martial Arts Association for amateurs and the Province is in charge of professional fights.
Billy has a long term dream of taking his sport to the next level.
“This is a sport if I do well enough I won’t need it (a trade) as I’ll be world championship,” Billy said.
He sees a world championship as one way to turn his sport into a full time career. It is a goal not beyond his capabilities.
