The United Martial Arts International Club owner and South African Kickboxing Association (SAKA) president Aslam Mahomed is urging the community to vote for kickboxer Ahmad Mahomed, who has been nominated for sport personality of the year at the Gauteng Sport Awards.
Aslam, who is also the president of WAKO Africa, said the Benoni Muslim School kickboxer has enjoyed an impressive year on the mat, winning several competitions in Europe.
The 16-year-old is up against wheelchair tennis superstar Kgothatso Montjane, Proteas captain Temba Bavuma and para-athlete, Simonè Kruger.
Ahmad, who ranked first globally in his category, has just returned from the Flanders Cup in Belgium in September where he won three golds, three silvers and a bronze medal in the competition while attaining a gold, silver and two bronze medals in the Italian World Cup and Italian Open on October 1.
The youngster is also a finalist for sportsman of the year while his sister, Salaamah is in the running for the sportswoman of the year gong.
Salaamah also boasts an impressive CV which includes two golds, two silvers and a bronze medal at the Italian Open in Venice and one gold, one silver and two bronze medals at the Flanders Cup.
“It’s a proud moment for kickboxing in South Africa. A win for these athletes is a win for kickboxing and the youth of South Africa,” said Aslam.
The siblings from Lakefield, have been proudly flying the South African flag since the beginning of the year. They won in Europe and the nationals in April. They are both two-time WAKO African and WAKO World champions.
They also both won five gold medals at the SAKA nationals in Limpopo in April, becoming a national champion while also being named fighters of the year.
Ahmad won two golds, one silver and a bronze medal in the Turkey Open while Salaamah, also ranked first in the world, clinched two gold medals.
Ahmad continued his feast with two golds at Hungarian Open in June and another two in the clash of the continents, against Canada in Oudtshoorn in July.
Salaamah also grabbed two medals at the clash of the continent.
“These results are phenomenal and there’s a bright future ahead for these athletes and the rest of the athletes of Africa in kickboxing. The youth are performing and attaining great results and it shows that the strategic plan of athlete and coach development is working in South Africa and Africa,” Aslam said.
To vote for Ahmad, SMS SPORT04 to 35238. You can vote daily.
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