The TIO Stadium in Darwin was packed to the rafters from the begging till the end of the events. The opening ceremony was spectacular with over 2700 athletes, from 45 nations, waiting to march proudly into the arena in front of a delirious crowd of about 7000 people.

The show kept on surprising the fans, starting with 6 aircrafts performing acrobatic stunts and followed by the representative of the Larrakia signing the traditional Waltzing Matilda to welcome all visitors to their land.

For the first time in Arafura Games history an official Arafura Games anthem was also sang.

The Games were then officially opened by the Commonwealth Governor-General, Her Excellency Quentin Bryce and Chief Minister Paul Henderson.

The Arafura Games are with no doubt one of the biggest sporting events in the Asian Pacific region and muaythai is one of its main sports.

The muaythai finals, at the Spectrum Stadium in Darwin, was filled with thrilled fans cheering for their favorites.

The men 75kg weight division saw Artur Kodirkulov, Asian Champion from Uzbekistan, beating Jarred Rothwell of South Africa, in four rounds.

Some exciting fights were seen in the women competition. Despite getting knocked to the ground, Kate Heuston for example, fought a tough match against the 57kg Asian Champion Pannaluk Kongsang of Thailand, and brought home yet another medal to enrich her collection which already sees a bronze from the 2010 IFMA World Championships  and a gold from the Australian Champions.

Winners Table

WOMEN

51 kg

Sherzodbek Satqinov

Uzbekistan

54 kg

Sonsiri Radsarong

Thailand

54 kg

Kristan Armstrong

Australia

57 kg

Narawat Pleenaram

Thailand

57 kg

Kate Heuston

Australia

60 kg

Geoffery Ahipene

New Zealand

63.5 kg

Firdavsiy Kholnuratov

Uzbekistan

67 kg

Sandon Gibbs-Oneil

Australia

71 kg

Armin Matli

Thailand

75 kg

Artur Kodirkulov

Uzbekistan

81 kg

Andrew Castle

Australia

Source: IFMA.