The 2026 South African Kickboxing Championships, held in Oudtshoorn recently, brought together a staggering 929 kickboxers from all nine provinces in what proved to be one of the most fiercely contested national tournaments in recent memory – and it was the Western Cape team that stood tallest when the final bell rang.
Leading the charge for the Western Cape was Legacy Martial Arts Academy from Hermanus, whose 18-strong contingent produced a performance that will be remembered in local martial arts circles for years to come. The team returned home with an extraordinary haul of 43 trophies – 10 gold, 12 silver and 21 bronze – a testament to the dedication, discipline and heart that define the Legacy academy.
What makes the achievement even more remarkable is that 10 of the 18 fighters were competing at their very first SA Championships. To perform at that level on the biggest national stage, against the best fighters the country has to offer, speaks volumes about the calibre of coaching and preparation at Legacy Martial Arts Academy. Guiding the team throughout the championships was Shihan Ruehan van Romburgh, head coach of Legacy Martial Arts Academy, whose tactical guidance and motivational leadership were clearly evident in every bout his fighters stepped into. Special mention must go to Aidan Brummer and Zius Brand, who both claimed three gold medals each — standout individual performances in a team full of champions.
The Legacy team will have little time to rest on their laurels. The road ahead is an exciting one, with two major international tournaments on the horizon.
First up is the African Kickboxing Championships 2026, to be held in Cameroon at the end of June – where South Africa’s finest will test themselves against the best the continent has to offer.
The Youth World Kickboxing Championships 2026 in Italy in early October promises to be the ultimate stage for the younger members of the Legacy squad, as they take on the world’s elite.
