Gold for Walker and Jones
Two of Rio Grappling's young fighters - Dane Jones (14) and Gift Walker (14) took part in their first grappling and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition recently and returned to Springs triumphant.
The pair, who both attend Protea School, have been working with coach Francois Groenewald for the past year and their training paid off when they fought at the Warrior’s First Challenge in Centurion.
Both boys took gold in the MMA category while Gift beat Dane in the grappling to earn himself the top spot on the day.
Gift, fighting in the 50 to 60kg division won his first grappling match by guillotine and followed that up by a win over friend and training partner Dane with a second guillotine.
He then won his MMA fight with a rear naked choke which forced his opponent into submission.
Gift describes the competition as a “great experience,” adding, “It was great learning things and I’d love to do it again sometime.”
The Selection Park resident says he started training at Rio Grappling a year ago because, “I thought MMA was all about fighting.
“Then I learnt the true meaning of MMA and I’ve never stopped loving it.”
When asked what that true meaning is, he answers, “MMA is about self-discipline and it teaches you how to protect yourself and respect yourself and others.”
Dane, also from Selection Park, fought in the 40 to 50kg division and won his MMA fight by unanimous decision and his first grappling match with an arm bar before facing off against Gift in his second grappling fight.
He comments that he likes the pain and discipline involved in MMA and believes that it is an excellent form of exercise.
“Both fought very well. I am a proud coach. They handled themselves well and are definitely the future of MMA,” says Francois.
