Tebbutts Mixed Martial Arts Academy members are on a mission to conclude the year’s events on a high note.
Members of the Lambton club attended the National Martial Arts ISKA Championships in Stellenbosch, Cape Town, recently.
“Shihan Cassie Stadler and I accompanied seven of our members to the championships,” said the head coach and founder of the club, hanshi Alex Tebbutt.
“Shihan Stadler and I gave the members all the support we could in between the times we were referees.
“Over 1 000 athletes attended and our athletes gave their best and their best was well rewarded as they all received South African colours.
“This great achievement means that Fans de Vos, Peyton-Jade Visagie, Tiffany Knoop, Logan and Casey Stadler, Brandon and Triston Myers have been chosen to represent South Africa at the US Open, in America, next year June.”
Tebbutt told the GCN that his athletes have to be well prepared for the championships.
“The US Open are world championships and they are one of the biggest international tournaments I know,” he explained.
“Athletes have to prepare themselves physically, mentally and emotionally; I have attended them five times already and I can tell you now that they are not easy.
“I have confidence in our athletes though, I know they have what it takes to take on all the other athletes around the world and with a bit more training they will make the club, Germiston and South Africa proud.”
In other news, the club recently hosted a tough Black Belt Grading.
“It was a tough grading and although it is called the Black Belt Grading, we had a few brown belts while others progressed to higher Dans,” said Tebbutt.
- Shihan Stadler was a sensei and he graded to his sixth Dan, making him a shihan.
- De Vos, Allan Visagie and Knoop are all senseis having graded to their third Dans.
- Ismail Pandor and Daniello Di Bartolomeo received their first Dans and they are proud to be called senseis.
- Logan van Heerden, Casey, Peyton-Jade, Logan and Brandon all graded to their junior black belts.
- Triston graded to his last brown belt.
“I am extremely proud of our athletes, they had to go under tough testing and prove themselves over the two-day grading,” explained Tebbutt.
“We were also joined by a karate club from Kempton Park and another from Springs at the grading.
“It is with great pleasure and honour to announce that both the clubs have asked to join Tebbutts Mixed Martial Arts Academy.
“I was surprised to receive a call from both clubs after the grading, and common statements from both clubs was that they have seen how we perform at competitions and have attended some of the tournaments we held and they were impressed.”
Tebbutt expressed how humbled he was by the invitations.
“I never thought nor expected something like this to happen. I am happy that our performance and hard work is seen and well appreciated by others out there,” he shared.
“We welcomed the invitations with open arms; I am happy and very humbled because Tebbutts Mixed Martial Arts is growing.
“A big thank you goes to my family and club members for all the support over the years, contributing towards the success of the grading and more so for making this club one of the best.”
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