In total 241 fighters from 12 different African nations competed and submitted 353 entries.

The SA national team members had  been working hard for the last nine weeks to improve their overall power, speed, agility, body weight, strength, punching speed, punching intensity, body fat percentage, and muscle mass to get ready for the championships.

It paid off for Rachael who was awarded a technical knockout victory against her first opponent from Zimbabwe in the first minutes of the first round. This victory earned her a spot in the finals.

Her opponent in the final, a fighter from Senegal, was much taller and had an edge in reach.

“This fight was considerably more difficult but Rachael fought valiantly for three rounds to win by unanimous decision,” says proud Shihan Stefan Brown of the Mighty Warrior Dojo.

Rachael was crowned as the new WAKO Africa Continental Champion for girls under 60 kilograms in the low kick (full contact) division in the ring.

Our local new champ began practicing kickboxing in 2015 and train twice a week for two hours under Shihan Brown.

“She faces off in the ring against both male and female opponents to reach her full potential. She practiced for approximately 12 hours a week for the last 9 weeks to make sure she was well-prepared for the championships,” says Shihan Brown.

“Rachael  was confident before the fight and believed that if she remained focused, her efforts would be rewarded.”

And she was right. Rachael would like to than everyone who encouraged and believed in her. She praised Sensei Morné Lotter (National Coach), Sharlene, and Imke (Senior Trainees), as well as Shihan Stefan Brown (National Coach).

She also expresses gratitude to her sponsors, saying that it would not have been possible without their help.