To develop and prepare kickboxing students for the upcoming provincial tournament, Jeffreys Bay-based Raptors Mixed Martial Arts hosted the first NMA-ISKA Eastern Cape development tournament for the New Year on February 17, at Stulting Primary School Hall.
EP NMA ISKA representative, sensei Cindy Strydom from Fusion Uitenhage, said the focus of the development tournament was not about winning or losing; instead it was about learning.
Open to all ages, the event saw participants from four to 54 at the tournament.
Sensei Gerhard Coetzee of Raptors Jeffreys Bay said that by opening the development tournament to all ages, an opportunity for all to learn was created. He further said it was important to host a development tournament in the Eastern Cape, to develop students and prepare them for the upcoming Eastern Province Classic Tournament in June this year.
“The development tournament gives students a platform where they can test their own skills against other students from various dojo or training facilities,” said Coetzee.
He said it was amazing to see all the dojos, students, sempais, and senseis be united by their love for MMA.
Coetzee further said that they were all willing to share and learn in a safe environment.
“If someone wants to, for example, try power breaking for the first time; they have the right people there to show them the basics, and also some to cheer them on,” said Coetzee. He further said that the students could take part in grappling, MMA, continuous fighting, points fighting, power breaking, high kicking, and k1 fighting.
Participating clubs included Raptors Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp, Raptors Graaff-Reinet, Fusion, Xiao-long, and RONIN.
Coetzee said that there was a huge interest in the development tournament, with clubs as well as individuals travelling from various parts of the country, including Plettenberg Bay and Knysna. He further said they had about 145 students actively participating in the development tournament, with help from at least eight sensei (chief instructors) and 12 sempai (assistant instructors), who were present at the tournament.
In addition, Coetzee said that there were five senior black belts and senior colour belts which also helped.
Both Coetzee and Strydom also used the opportunity to allow individuals who were interested in being a side judge, or table officials, to learn from experienced NMA ISKA officials.
As part of their annual planner, at least three development tournaments will be hosted throughout the year, with dates for the next tournament to be confirmed later.
“We would like to thank every person who made the event a possibility, and also a massive success. We are excited for many more events and tournaments in 2024,” said Coetzee.
