New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame to Induct Ray Cruz and Joe Bumanlag

Ray Cruz (left) and Joe Bumanlag

The New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame is extremely proud of its inaugural class of inductees to the New Jersey Martial Arts Hall of Fame. This class will be honored at the induction dinner gala to be held at the beautiful Crowne Plaza Meadowlands on December 7, 2012.

Mr. Cruz and Mr. Bumanlag will be awarded the honor of Muay Thai Trainers of the Year on December 7th.

Joseph Bumanlag and Ray Cruz are both New Jersey residents who instruct at North Jersey Muay Thai in Lodi.

Ray Cruz began training in Muay Thai seventeen years ago under Kru Nestor Marte and Arjarn Pra Sit Thang Dong. He trained in Thailand at the Saktaywan camp. He has also trained with Fahleap Sritrakool at the Eminent Air camp in Thailand. Ray received his first title of Kru under famed fighter Thanonsak Sor Plantalae. He was awarded his second Kru title by Arjarn Pra Sit Thang Dong of Bangkok. Ray believes in constantly evolving with new fitness and health ideas while remaining true to authentic Muay Thai.

Joe Bumanlag was awarded Kru by Arjarn Pra Sit Thang Dong of Bangkok’s Saktaywan camp, and Kru by Lumpini and Rajadamnern fighter Thanonsak Sor Plantalae. He has trained with Eminent Air Gym and Fairtex Gym of San Francisco. Joe is also NASM certified personal trainer.

Fighters such as Ognjen Topic, Liam Tarrant, Chris Schilling and Ruby Calabrese have trained under their watch. Both Ray and Joe believe that it takes the whole fight team to prepare a fighter, and that the whole school contributes in a family atmosphere.

Tickets to the awards dinner can be purchased by calling 201-538-4843 or online at www.njmmaawards.com. Discount hotel room rates at the Crowne Plaza can be also obtained by calling 877-227-6963 and mentioning the Hall of Fame dinner.

New Jersey is building a rich tradition in non-boxing martial arts and our goal is to recognize these individuals and entities. Our goal is to honor those involved with New Jersey martial arts and to celebrate with them, at an evening with family and friends. Our focus is on those directly involved in New Jersey martial arts. This truly is a historical moment in our State’s combat sports history as our intent is to have the New Jersey State Martial Arts Hall of Fame continue for many years and serve as a record for those outstanding individuals involved in martial arts in our State.

We hope you will join us on December 7, 2012. Mark your calendars now and purchase your tickets early so you can be sure to be a part of New Jersey martial arts history. Call 201-538-4843 or visit www.njmmaawards.com and get your ticket and join us in a historic night for New Jersey and for martial arts. It is certain to be a terrific night with family, friends, fun, and music.

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