Wits martial artists win 28 medals at Arnold Classic

Wits Tang Soo Do also boasts equal gender representation, a rarity in martial arts.

June 28, 2023

Nicholas Zaal 2 minutes read

Tlhologelo Mashiane performs his gold-medal-winning weapons form.

A group of 14 martial artists from Wits won an impressive 28 medals at the Arnold Classic Africa Sports Festival.

The Wits Tang Soo Do students were led by their 8th Dan instructor, Master Gregory Hart, at the event at Ruimsig Stadium. He explained the multisport festival gathers athletes from all over the country to compete in various sporting events.

Lehlohonolo Motho performs his gold-medal-winning traditional form.

Though the group from Wits specialise in combat tang soo do, they competed against athletes from many different martial arts. Combat Tang Soo Do is famous for its combination of kicks and hand techniques as well as its celebrity practitioner Chuck Norris.

They competed in various divisions ranging from white belt beginners to advanced adult black belts, and categories, including traditional forms, weapons forms, point sparring and combat weapons sparring.

Female athletes celebrate their medals with their instructor: Limpho Phamole, S’londiwe Simelane, Nerrisa Maripane, Master Gregory Hart, Hyeonah Byun, Lethabo Hatang, Mawande Mathe.

After excelling in each of these categories Wits Tang Soo Do returned with 13 gold medals, nine silver medals and six bronze medals.

Limpho Phamole competed in her first martial arts event, and encouraged women to not limit themselves to only doing ‘girly things’. “Take the plunge and do martial arts, it will open up your horizons,” she said.

Hart said this sentiment raises an important issue in male-dominated martial arts. “Women should not be afraid to take on the sport, especially when it can build confidence, strength and vital skills in self-defence,” he said.

Dienelle Moodley performs her gold-medal-winning weapons form.

“Hopefully more women will see the opportunity martial arts provides and we can continue to balance the demographics. Wits Tang Soo Do has already started to push against these boundaries with a notable ratio of 50/50, which in the world of martial arts is groundbreaking.”

Wits Tang Soo Do fighters achieved the following at the Arnold Classic:

Limpho Phamole 15–16 years novice, silver for traditional forms.
Lethabo Hatang 18–34 years novice, silver for traditional forms.
Madiala Leputu 18–34 years beginner, silver for traditional forms, gold for weapons forms, gold for points sparring, silver for combat weapons sparring.
Mawande Mathe 18–34 years novice, gold for points sparring, bronze for combat weapons sparring.
S’londiwe Simelane 18–34 years beginner, silver for weapons forms, silver for points sparring, gold for continuous sparring.
Tlhologelo Mashiane 18–34 years novice, gold for traditional forms, gold for weapons forms, gold for continuous sparring.
Thomas Mbombi 18–34 years intermediate, silver for traditional forms, gold for weapons forms.
Lehlohonolo Motho 18–34 years intermediate, gold for traditional forms, bronze for weapons forms, silver for points sparring.
Tumelo Masokoane 18–34 years novice, silver for traditional forms, gold for points sparring.
Nerrisa Maripane 18–34 years beginner, bronze for traditional forms, bronze for combat weapons sparring.
Dienelle Moodley 18–34 years novice, bronze for traditional forms, gold for weapons forms.
Nndivhuweni Muleka 18–34 years novice, bronze for traditional forms.
Hyeonah Byun 18–34 years beginner, gold for traditional forms, gold for weapons forms.