After winning bronze at the Muay Thai World Championships over the summer in Bangkok, Kamehameha-Hawaii alum Uriyah Elaban recently competed in his second international tournament of 2026 — but this time, in a different martial art.

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After winning bronze at the Muay Thai World Championships over the summer in Bangkok, Kamehameha-Hawaii alum Uriyah Elaban recently competed in his second international tournament of 2026 — but this time, in a different martial art.

Last month, the 19-year-old fighter voyaged to Chile to fight in the WAKO Pan American Kickboxing Championships. Like in Thailand, Elaban earned another podium finish — winning bronze for Team USA in the senior 63.5-kilogram division.

While Elaban was familiar with international competition after his trip to Thailand, he noticed a different atmosphere in Chile.

“(Competing in the kickboxing championships) was just an amazing experience overall,” Elaban told the paper in a phone interview. “The whole team (in Chile) felt like one big family, we were all supportive of each other. I got to meet some amazing people within my team, as well as other countries that also competed there.

“It was just awesome to be a part of.”

Elaban finished behind Felipe Trecanao Sandoval of Chile (gold) and Carlos Gustavo Vergara of Argentina (silver) in the 63.5-kilogram division.

Although he placed high, throughout the tournament Elaban was able to identify areas in which he could improve. After falling to Trecanao Sandoval, Elaban reviewed film of the fight with his father, Raymond, and noticed that he wasn’t mobile enough from the outset, often remaining in one spot for too long.

“I kind of sat in one spot, which allowed him to score points on me,” Elaban said. “So with that in mind, I’ve been trying to work on my lateral quickness a lot more lately.

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“Muay Thai is a lot more slow-paced, and it takes time for the fight to build up. But in kickboxing, you have to be freaking fast right out of the gate, intense. As soon as the bell rings — boom, you gotta be on them and start moving around a lot. You can’t just stay in one place; you gotta keep moving and keep striking.”

Leading up to the tournament, Elaban was training regularly with Martin Day from Hawaii Elite, along with other local kickboxers. Elaban credited Day with helping him translate his technique to the international stage.

“Martin helped me with some techniques that really helped me in the tournament,” Elaban said. “I was scoring a lot with the kicks that he was teaching me.”

The experience only strengthened Elaban’s desire to return to Chile next year and compete for gold. He also said winning a world championship could be the next step toward another longtime goal: turning professional.

Elaban also shouted out local junior kickboxers Bethany Gebin, Isaiah Lee and Max Melio, who are currently competing at the world kickboxing championships in Italy. Elaban has trained with all three in the past.

Elaban will next compete in the Knockdown Kickboxing event on Nov. 7 in Nashville, Tenn., where he will get another opportunity to build towards his ultimate dream.

“I really want to get that win back next time,” Elaban said. “I need to get that gold.”

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