SIX athletes from Combat Coaching have been selected for the World Championships training squad, after earning top spots at the SA Amateur Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Championships.
Ten amateur fighters from the Doonside gym were selected to represent KZN in their first SA MMA National Tournament in Edenvale, Gauteng, from May 3–6. Out of the 10 athletes, seven placed in the top three and received medals, with one of them becoming the new South African MMA champion.
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Wian Conradie battled it out in the ‘winner takes all’ round-robin tournament, coming out on top of the boys U16/ U77kg division.
Coach Morné Swanepoel said their results are amazing, especially because none of the athletes had competed at the SA championships before. “Every province was represented, with the best in each division. My athletes have put in many hours to achieve these results,” he said.
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From the seven, six have been selected for the World Championships’ training squad.
“Only competitors that received first and second place are selected. A final squad will be selected closer to the time, as athletes have to pay their own way. Those who compete overseas will also obtain their Protea colours,” said Swanepoel.
The results for the seven medalists are as follows: Lourens Roodt placed third in the middleweight U21/84kg division, Travyn Marais placed second in the boys U14/U52kg division, Ruben Tonsing placed second in the boys U14/U62kg division, Wian Conradie placed first in the boys U16/U77kg division, Jazmin Viljoen placed second in the girls U14/U34kg division, Matthew Vermaak placed second in the boys U16/U52kg division and Ethan Richards placed second in the boys U16/U48kg division.
There are several upcoming events for the athletes, including the Ground Quest national grappling tournament on June 3.
The gym’s professional fighters, Tapiwa Katikati and Bradley Swanepoel, will also be back in action at the Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) on June 15.
Those selected for the SA team will compete at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Youth World Championships from August 2 to 5 in Abu Dhabi.
For more information, or to give sponsorship, contact 083 226 1576 or email info@combatcoaching.com.
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