The South African Kickboxing Association (SAKA) recently held their National Kickboxing championships in Oudtshoorn, in the Western Cape.

The championships were held to establish the national champion in the different fighting categories and to select a national team to represent South Africa in the Italian city of Jesolo Lido (Venice) from September 18 to 27 at the World Association of Kickboxing Organisations (WAKO) World Championships.

WAKO is also the only member of the International Olympic Committee for kickboxing. This event will be for children, cadets and juniors.

The following athletes from Xtreme Kickboxing Technologies (XKT) medaled in the categories of point (semi-contact), low kicks (kick-light), continuous (light contact) and team events:

• Tatum du Plessis: first in point, first kick-light, first light contact and first in the junior ladies team event.
• MJ Beets: first semi-contact, second kick-light and second in light contact.
• Jonathan Duvenhage: second in kick-light and second light contact.

Instructor shihan Raymond Phillips stated that he was proud of his students and said they really battled their hearts out.

“It is not always about winning, but competing and winning is the bonus,” he said.

Raymond also wants to thank coaches Deon du Plessis, Thinus Beets and team manager Nadia Van Zuydam for helping the athletes to excel.

Tatum du Plessis and MJ Beets both qualified and were selected for the national team. Tatum will represent South Africa in Italy in September at the World Championships and MJ early next year at the World Thailand Cup.

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