Two kickboxers from Hermanus are off to the 2023 World Combat Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia along with six other sportswomen and men who will represent South Africa at the event that is described as the Olympics of martial arts.
Shihan Ruehan van Romburgh of Legacy Martial Arts Academy and his student Zaanru Fraser will compete in this prestigious event that is held every four years and features 16 combat sports and martial arts competitions, sports demonstrations and educational conferences hosted by leading martial arts experts.
Moreover, the event will host the first World Martial Arts Gala, honouring the legends of martial arts and combat sports.
The 2023 World Combat Games are set to take place from 20-30 October at the King Saud University Arena in Riyadh. Athletes from across the world will compete in 16 different martial arts sporting codes, including aikido, boxing, fencing, judo, ju-jitsu, karate, kickboxing, muaythai and taekwondo.
In addition to this, 61 para and special athletes will also be competing in the World Combat Games in six sports, namely aikido (one athlete), arm wrestling (16 athletes), ju-jitsu (24 athletes), muaythai (eight athletes), sambo (eight athletes) and savate (four athletes).
Van Romburgh and Fraser’s inclusion in the South African team to compete at the prestigious international event marks a significant achievement, not only for Legacy Martial Arts Academy but also for the Overberg Kickboxing Association of which Van Rhomburgh is the president.
Competing in the World Combat Games, said Van Romburgh, is a dream come true. He added: “The fact that two of us are going is unbelievable! For me, it’s a lifelong dream come true. I started training when I was only three years old and Zaanru started training with me when she was nine.”
Van Romburgh, competing in the Point Fighting mode for males under 94 kg, has attained an impressive 10th ranking by the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO).
Fraser, competing in the point-fighting mode category for females under 70 kg, is presently ranked eighth. “Both athletes have displayed unwavering dedication, discipline and skill,” said Tracy Asary of Legacy Martial Arts Academy, “making them deserving of this honour and recognition.”
