Papua New Guinea’s martial arts household name, Master Jamuga Stone, will become the first Papua New Guinean to referee at an international event in the upcoming World Kickboxing Championship slated from November 18-22 in Spain.
No Papua New Guinean has been given such an opportunity to officiate at an international, insofar as the sport of martial arts is concerned.
Stone will make history and become the first Papua New Guinean to referee the biggest world event when he steps in the ring on November 18th, 2024.
Master Stone had an illustrious martial arts career spanning almost half-a-century from various disciplines - such as jiujitsu, judo, karate, taekwondo, kickboxing - to name a few.
Beyond his professional martial arts career, he has been involved in refereeing different kinds of tournaments in PNG over two decades. He is not only a veteran martial artist, but a seasoned referee.
He has officiated local and national martial arts events in the country, but getting a call up to referee at the international event is a huge opportunity for the experienced martial artist.
It’s going to be a daunting task for Master Stone, but he has a wealth of experience under his belt to test himself in the uncharted waters and prove his worth.
Master Stone expressed his gratitude to the PNG Kickboxing Federation through President Stanley Nandex and the world kickboxing body, and was honored for the opportunity given.
“It’s a honor and privilege to be invited by president Nandex and the world body president to referee at the World Kickboxing Championship in Spain. It’s a dream come true for me,” Stone said.
Mr. Stone was supposed to make his international kickboxing refereeing debut in 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic came and disrupted everything.
Five years later, he got the nod again from the international kickboxing body through its president to referee on the biggest arena.
The veteran martial artist said he was looking forward to his maiden international refereeing overseas, and would love to bring back the experience and mentor the local referees through workshops or seminars.
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