Amanzimtoti fighters excel at African Championships in Namibia
Two mixed martial arts fighters from CombatCoaching.com and Bushido MMA Gym received silver medals at the championships, one woman earned a bronze medal and another a gold medal, making her the champion in her division.
FOUR athletes from two gyms in Amanzimtoti recently headed to Namibia for the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) African Championships where one of them was crowned champion.
According to a statement by the IMMAF, this was the first time that the biggest continental amateur tournament hosted the youth brackets over and above the junior and senior divisions.
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“This is part of our efforts to continue building a pathway for young athletes to develop their skill sets, as well as provide them with a proper platform to do so.”
Ethan Richards of CombatCoaching.com, received a silver medal following his one win and one loss in the youth division. The 15-year-old said he feels very proud of himself, despite the tough opposition he faced.
“The first fight was tough. In the second fight, I got a leg cramp and a neck crank from the opponent which wasn’t very legal, but it happens,” he said.
Ethan is now aiming for the 2024 IMMAF Youth World Championships which take place in Abu Dhabi in August. To help make his dream of becoming a professional fighter a reality, consider sponsoring or donating towards his upcoming trip. His mother, Michelle, can be contacted on 076 172 0072.
Bushido MMA Gym’s Tinus Stoop received silver in the men’s heavyweight division, Jade Grundlingh achieved bronze in the women’s strawweight division while Demi-Shaye Thomas won both her fights in the women’s featherweight division, earning herself gold and the title of champion.
She was emotional when she received her award and proudly raised the South African flag, knowing that all her hard work and dedication had paid off.
She is now gearing up for Submission Kings’ Winner Takes All tournament against Neve Rohland on July 12.
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