The QuanWessels Sharks grappling team delivered a phenomenal performance this past weekend at Submission Kings, Queens, and Kids 22, walking away with first-place team trophies in both the adult division on May 30 and the kids & teens division on May 31.

Hosted at Lakeside Mall in Benoni, Submission Kings is widely regarded as South Africa’s premier grappling league, attracting some of the country’s top Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes and teams.

The QuanWessels Sharks fielded a team of 35 competitors, ranging from six-year-old rising stars to experienced adult athletes in their mid-30s.

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Coach Guy Lazarus, from QuanWessels Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Academy, said the team showcased exceptional skill, grit, and teamwork throughout the weekend, achieving an impressive win rate of 74, a dominant display that left the competition trailing behind as the Sharks secured overall first place honours.

“Several standout performances captured the attention of spectators and competitors alike.

Young teens Tanner Cziganeck and Joshua Steel both stepped up to compete not only in their respective teen divisions, but also in the adult categories, earning medals against older and physically stronger opposition through technical excellence, composure, and determination.

“In the adult division, Karl Fritzenkotter stole the spotlight by winning both his weight division and the absolute division, where athletes compete regardless of weight class.

Even more impressively, every one of his victories came via submission, earning him the prestigious Male Grappler of the Day award.”

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The fastest submission of the tournament belonged to young Rogan Goodwin, who secured victory in a lightning-fast 15 seconds.

Lazarus said the Kalonji sisters, Lahza (8) and Anaya (6), were crowd favourites across the weekend, delivering outstanding gold medal performances that highlighted the bright future of the QuanWessels youth programme.

“These kids continue to impress with every outing.

From their technical prowess to their heart, determination, and focused discipline, they really showed just the tip of the iceberg of what they can and will achieve in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

The team is ultimately working towards competing globally, with our first international tour set for the International Brazilian Jui-jitsu Federation Asian Championships in Japan this December.”

By the end of the event, the QuanWessels Sharks amassed an incredible medal tally of 22 gold, 10 silver, and 2 bronze medals.

The sharks’ next tournament will take place on July 4 at the Sunninghill Gi Open – Leg 3.

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