WELKOM – The Ring Contact Fighting Arts (RCFA) Bhubezi Fight Club is preparing for an exciting new chapter after its coaches and senior students completed an intensive national instructor training seminar aimed at strengthening both the club’s technical standards and future leadership.

The two-day seminar, held at the ChaZen Dojo in Parys on 27 and 28 June, brought together instructors from across the country for advanced technical and weapons training under the guidance of RCFA founder, Grand Master Joe Viljoen.

For Sensei Joe Gladstone Ralejoe, head instructor at the Bhubezi Fight Club and RCFA Free State president, the seminar was about more than improving fighting techniques.

“It was about laying the essential groundwork for what’s to come.”

He explained that one of the club’s priorities this season was to grow the sport by developing new coaches and mentoring senior students who will eventually establish clubs of their own.

Among those taking an important step forward was senior student Keagan Smith, who used the seminar to prepare for a future leadership role within the club. Smith is working towards grading for his Ushidoshi title in December, a milestone that will see him take on greater coaching responsibilities.

Ralejoe praised Smith’s commitment during the demanding training weekend, saying he had shown the dedication required to become a future junior instructor.

The seminar also served as valuable preparation for the club’s upcoming competitive campaign.

The Bhubezi Fight Club will travel to Vereeniging on 25 July to compete in the prestigious Best of the Best Tournament.

Smith is set to make his full-contact ring debut alongside teammates Brandon Kelly and Junior Mosoeunyane, who will also be competing in their first full-contact bouts.

Ralejoe said the club is excited about the transition of its athletes into full-contact competition and believes the experience gained during the national seminar has provided a strong foundation for success.

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