VAALPARK – South African martial arts dojos head Kaicho James Vermaak has led the Vaalpark Martial Arts & Fitness Academy and South African Ryu-Kyu Martial Arts Federation (SARMAF) to global renown in 2024 and 2025.
As the newly elected International Director for Traditional Karate and Kobudo under the International Combat Organisation (ICO), Vermaak spearheaded South Africa’s outstanding performance at the 2024 World Championship in Frankfurt, Germany.
The national team earned 14 gold, 15 silver, and 7 bronze medals, placing ninth overall out of 35 participating nations. Only South Africa had 11 athletes, yet with the highest medal-to-athlete ratio, they achieved an average of 3.7 medals per athlete.
Vermaak’s global influence went as far as Australia, where BRAWL Australia invited him to conduct seminars and athlete gradings in Ballarat, Melbourne. His influence was not confined to sports since he conducted motivational speeches in schools and colleges as part of a youth empowerment project that has since gone all over the region.
Local organisers described his impact, calling his visit a turning point for youths going through social strife. Locally, SARMAF athletes excelled at district, provincial, and national levels.
During 2025, 17 athletes received district colours with 36 medals, and 22 athletes at the Free State provincial championship won colours with 79 medals in total.
The SARMAF National All Style Championship in Sasolburg saw 210 competitors, with Vaalpark athletes winning 70 medals and seven trophies, with some notable performers being Barend Swart and Penny Galvin.
Other than karate, Vaalpark athletes were also destructive in kickboxing and mixed martial arts under the Ring Contact Fighting Arts (RCFA) banner. Athletes claimed a number of podium spots in top-level events, including the All Out War Championship in Potchefstroom and the Best of the Best Championship in Vereeniging, gaining top-four club positions.
The academy gazes next towards the ICO World Championship, Swansea, Wales, October 2025. Vermaak was, in turn, officially appointed as Kaicho, World Chief Instructor of the World Yonsei Goju-Ryu Karate and Kobudo Organisation following the passing away of his mentor Manny Saavedra. He also took up the position of leadership on the board of directors at Karate South Africa as Weapons Director.
Building on these successes, Kaicho James Vermaak’s student, Hermé Visser, represented South Africa at the ISKA World Championship in Orlando, USA, winning gold in traditional forms and competing in several elite black belt categories. By leadership on the global stage, community service, and competitive achievement, Kaicho James Vermaak continues to advance South Africa’s martial arts reputation worldwide.
