Namibian kick-boxers prove their mettle
The first professional kick-boxing world title fight hosted by the Namibian Kickboxing Federation (NKF) in Walvis Bay on Saturday was an astronomical success.
South African Brandon Mashele successfully defended his Ring Contact Fighting Arts International (RCFAI) world title against Hendrick Jean Clain of Reunion Island in the first professional kick-boxing title fight hosted on Namibian soil.
Mashele broke Hendricks's left arm with a powerful kick and won the battle by technical knockout in the first round.
The three Namibian Sub-Saharan title fight contenders who were up against South African opposition also did not disappoint. The Namibians won all their fights and ensured that the three titles remain in Namibia.
Reigning junior sportsman, Delano Müller defeated the South African Thabiso Mkwebane on points in an atom-weight title fight over five rounds.
Lesley Hoaeb defeated Nico Bezuidenhoudt with a technical knockout in the fourth round of a super lightweight title fight.
Julian Müller defeated Johan Scholtz by unanimous decision in a super middleweight title fight.
The intensity of each fight, fighting skills and prowess of the fighters had spectators ecstatic and calling for more.
“We are privileged and the standard has been set very high. Namibia now has its own champions who can defend the titles they won against challengers on Namibian soil in future. We are also now in a position to select an inclusive Namibian kick-boxing team to represent the country at international level,” said Anita de Klerk, the president of NKF.
She thanked all the participants for contributing to the success of the Desert Storm competition.
The four title fights and 11 undercards were preceded by more than 150 fighters from clubs in Angola, Brazil, Namibia, the United States, Reunion Island, South Africa and Zimbabwe competing in kick-boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions earlier in the day.
The Namibian Sport Commission sanctioned the event but its officials were conspicuous in their absence.
RCFAI president Joe Viljoen said the event was a huge step forward for Namibian kick-boxing and that the organisation was looking forward to take fighters from the continent to the rest of the world.
“We are in the process of identifying and selecting idols from Africa to promote the right way of life and the sport. Generations of talent have unfortunately gone missing and now we have the opportunity to take our rightful place on the world stage.
“We need to build professional fighters in Africa because negotiations with pay-per-view television services are ongoing to promote huge title fights.”
South African Brandon Mashele successfully defended his Ring Contact Fighting Arts International (RCFAI) world title against Hendrick Jean Clain of Reunion Island in the first professional kick-boxing title fight hosted on Namibian soil.
Mashele broke Hendricks's left arm with a powerful kick and won the battle by technical knockout in the first round.
The three Namibian Sub-Saharan title fight contenders who were up against South African opposition also did not disappoint. The Namibians won all their fights and ensured that the three titles remain in Namibia.
Reigning junior sportsman, Delano Müller defeated the South African Thabiso Mkwebane on points in an atom-weight title fight over five rounds.
Lesley Hoaeb defeated Nico Bezuidenhoudt with a technical knockout in the fourth round of a super lightweight title fight.
Julian Müller defeated Johan Scholtz by unanimous decision in a super middleweight title fight.
The intensity of each fight, fighting skills and prowess of the fighters had spectators ecstatic and calling for more.
“We are privileged and the standard has been set very high. Namibia now has its own champions who can defend the titles they won against challengers on Namibian soil in future. We are also now in a position to select an inclusive Namibian kick-boxing team to represent the country at international level,” said Anita de Klerk, the president of NKF.
She thanked all the participants for contributing to the success of the Desert Storm competition.
The four title fights and 11 undercards were preceded by more than 150 fighters from clubs in Angola, Brazil, Namibia, the United States, Reunion Island, South Africa and Zimbabwe competing in kick-boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions earlier in the day.
The Namibian Sport Commission sanctioned the event but its officials were conspicuous in their absence.
RCFAI president Joe Viljoen said the event was a huge step forward for Namibian kick-boxing and that the organisation was looking forward to take fighters from the continent to the rest of the world.
“We are in the process of identifying and selecting idols from Africa to promote the right way of life and the sport. Generations of talent have unfortunately gone missing and now we have the opportunity to take our rightful place on the world stage.
“We need to build professional fighters in Africa because negotiations with pay-per-view television services are ongoing to promote huge title fights.”
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