Amanzimtoti fighters dominate at national championships
Between the two mixed martial arts gyms in Amanzimtoti, a total of 14 medals were won by the athletes.
SEVENTEEN athletes from two mixed martial arts (MMA) gyms in Amanzimtoti recently represented KZN at the MMA SA National Championships held in Durban.
According to a statement by MMA SA, the champs was one for the books. “One-hundred-and-fifty-one athletes and 108 matches over 40 divisions gave us four days of action-packed competition. The level was at an all-time high this year. Athletes from all over South Africa went head-to-head en route to claiming a coveted podium placement,” it read.
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Gauteng took the junior/senior top position with 10 medals, followed by KZN with seven while Western Province and Eastern Cape had two medals apiece.
This event gave medalists from around the country a chance to qualify for the Protea Team selection and the opportunity to represent South Africa at the IMMAF (International Mixed Martial Arts Federation) World Champs as well as the IMMAF Africa Championships in Namibia next month.
Bushido MMA Gym’s Greg Thomas had seven athletes compete, with four of them bringing home six medals and a spot in the SA team. They are Demi-Shaye Thomas (gold, silver), Kewyn Kapp (bronze), Jade Grundlingh (gold, bronze) and Tinus Stoop (gold).
“I am so proud of my athletes. The level of competition was superb, with some amazing fights taking place,” he said.
A day after the championships, the athletes were straight back to training in preparation for an upcoming grappling tournament, as well as the Africa Champs.
CombatCoaching.com’s Morné Swanepoel, had 10 athletes compete, bringing home a total of eight medals. The medalists were Machyla Tonsing (bronze), Wian Conradie (bronze), Aidan Lancaster (silver), Matthew Vermaak (silver), Ethan Richards (silver), Jazmin Viljoen (gold), Ruben Tonsing (silver) and Marnus Fick (bronze).
“Our team did very well competing against the best amateurs the country has to offer. All of my students’ fights stood out as they fought with heart and total commitment,” said the proud coach.
Aside from several of his students constantly training for upcoming events, one of his adult fighters is preparing for SA’s biggest amateur promotions, MFC, in June, while his son and professional fighter, Bradley, is awaiting his call-up for his next fight at EFC.
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