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Kevin Nagel Sports Editor sports@oakvillebeaver.com Fighting for gold in Sweden Oakville Muaythai club owner Noel Hussey on Canadian team currently at worlds By Kevin Nagel Beaver sports editor Sports 51 | Thursday, May 19, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" Andy Corneau / OJHL Images Blacker forgoes WMU for OHL's London Knights The London Knights are earning victories on and off the ice. The Memorial Cup-bound Knights signed Oakville defenceman Ian Blacker Sunday. Blacker was projected as a first-round pick in the 2015 OHL draft after helping Ontario win gold at the Canada Games. However, he fell in the draft after announcing his intentions to play at the University of Western Michigan, where his brother Ben will begin his freshman season in net for the Broncos in the fall. The Knights took Blacker in the fourth round, 70th overall. The 6-foot-3 defenceman played for the Oakville Blades last season scoring twice and adding four assists in 41 games. Blacker will join fellow Oakville defenceman Evan Bouchard, London's first-round pick in the 2015 draft, on the Knights' blueline next season. For more on Bouchard, see page 52. Oakville Muay Thai and Fitness owner Noel Hussey heads to Sweden today to compete in the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA) World Championships. It's this martial art's equivalent of the Olympics, where the best gather to determine medallists in a number of weight categories. Hussey is in the 91 kilogram-andover division. That's approximately 200 lbs. -- Hussey weighs 250 lbs. At 34, Hussey has been competing in the sport for eight years. It's the only martial arts he has studied. "It's sounds kind of funny, but it came from movies back in the day like Kickboxer and Bloodsport. Believe it or not those were my inspirations to get into muaythai because I was always curious what Thai boxing was compared to the other martial arts," he said. The Mississauga resident liked muaythai (pronounced moy-tie) because it uses the whole body, necessitating overall fitness. Muaythai has competitors using fists, elbows knees and shins with little protective equipment in the amateur level. "Muaythai is complete, it's efficient, it's driven on power," he added. Bouts often feature competitors in defensive poses, attempting to strike at exactly the right moment. "Your defence is as important as your offence," says Hussey, who instructs about 30 students at his school, which opened two years ago. "When you watch it, a lot of people might look at it as boring. It's very much like a chess game." Canada fares quite well in the sport, and Hussey hopes to add to that with a gold medal in Sweden. Last year Hussey competed in the Muaythai Royal World Cup in Bangkok, the biggest international event on the muaythai schedule of 2015, but lost a first-round bout. "My goal is definitely to bring home the gold this year." Hussey has a record of 8-5 and was chosen, like all of the members of the national team, by Muaythai Canada based on his accomplishments in the sport. One of the biggest obstacles a muaythai athlete faces is fundraising ­ the sport isn't supported with government money as are Olympic sports ­ so Hussey depends on the generosity of friends and followers of the sport. The Jönköping, Sweden IFMA worlds are scheduled for May 18-28. To donate funds to help offset Hussey's world expenses, visit www. facebook.com/westcitymuaythai/. Noel Hussey is in Sweden to compete in the world amateur muaythai championships that started yesterday (Wednesday). Hussey owns Oakville Muay Thai and Fitness on Speers Road. | photo submitted FRIDAY 4 Jäger Bombs 4.75 MGD or Miller Lite Tall Cans $ 5 Pints of Canadian/Coors Lite $ $ $ $ Choose from Canadian or Coors Light & Any One of our 1/2 Pound Fresh Ground AAA Chuck Burgers $ 4.00 JÄGER BOMBS 4.75 MGD OR MILLER LITE TALL CANS 5.00 PINTS OF CANADIAN/COORS LITE Buy One Pound of our Delicious Signature Wings and Enjoy a Second Pound for Choose any One of Our Domestic pints, Canadian, Coors Light, Budweiser or Bud Lite and One Pound of Our Delicious Wings for Yes That's Right....Order Any One of Our Signature Wings, Burgers or Main Event and Receive One Kids Meal Absolutely FREE!* *Conditions apply ask your server for details 1¢ $ 1599 905-338-5458 www.draftedsportsbar.com 379 Speers Rd., @ Dorval