After hosting a successful 2023 East Coast Elephant Open at Fountains Mall, Jeffreys Bay, the Kickboxing Organisation of South Africa (KOSA) is already planning its event for 2024.
As previously reported by Kouga Express, KOSA – established in March this year – hosted its inaugural provincial kickboxing event in October when kickboxing clubs from Cape Town, West Coast, Cape Winelands, Garden Route, and Nelson Mandela Bay participated.
Sensei Gerhard Coetzee, Eastern Cape KOSA representative, said that KOSA was established as a national body in the country focusing on kickboxing and its various modes of competition.
He said that the organisation is affiliated with Martial Arts South Africa (MASA) nationally, World Kickboxing Association (WKA), and World Kickboxing Federation (WKF) internationally.
Coetzee said that the inaugural 2023 East Coast Elephant Open, which is expected to be an annual event in the Kouga region on the KOSA calendar, was a great success with 262 fighters participating.
He further said that many fighters were from the Western Cape.
The following modes of kickboxing within tatami were showcased at the tournament, semi-contact, light contact, and low kick light, while within ring sport they had full contact, low kick and K1.
“We had an awesome tournament with ring sport drawing a lot of attention,” said Coetzee.
He further said that during ring sport they had a lot of walk-ins from the mall interested in watching.
Coetzee said that they charged a spectator’s fee of R20.
He said that the feedback received about the tournament was phenomenal.
Since the tournament was a great success, Coetzee said that they are planning a similar event for next year with a date to be confirmed later.
“From young to old and small to big, everyone gave their best with some exceptional bouts on the tatami and in the ring,” said Coetzee.
“We are very pleased that the first annual event went so well,” he said.
He said that they handed over 101 gold medals, 95 silver, and 66 bronze to the participants.
Coetzee said that kickboxing in the Kouga region has been very active and is well supported by various clubs, like Raptors MMA, Fusion MMA, and Xia Long MMA.
Despite looking forward to the Gauteng Open on October 14, he said that none of their fighters in the Kouga region were able to attend the tournament.
