Students of the Kroonstad Black Belt Academy Martial Arts School participated in the ATA-SA District Tournament and demonstrated exceptional skill, bringing home an impressive haul of 68 medals and positioning themselves strongly for the upcoming national championships.
The tournament, held on Saturday, 26 July, in Kroonstad, served as a critical qualifying event for the prestigious ATA-SA National “Tournament of Champions – Top 5”, where only the top five students in each division will compete for national champion status. With just one more round remaining at the Provincial Tournament in Secunda on Saturday, 23 August, the Black Belt Academy students left an indelible mark.
The academy’s students showcased remarkable prowess across multiple disciplines, securing 35 gold medals, 21 silver medals and 12 bronze medals. They participated in traditional sparring, traditional forms, traditional weapons, combat weapons, XMA forms and XMA weapons, team combat weapons and team sparring.
Mellany Bailie, Mathew Bailie, Dalin Bricout, Dillon Smuts, Marnu Pretorius, Juandrew Jacobs and Sonja Coetzee participated in the colour belt division. Katya Pestana, Daniellè Pestana, Megan Pestana, Burhan Coetzee, Kayla Coetzee, Johann Pienaar, Jessica Pienaar, Wian Kotze, Christian Barnard, Benno van der Westhuizen, Iwan Landman, Adèl Jansen van Vuuren, Aden Jacobs and Danika Viljoen competed in the black belt division.
Aspiring martial artists interested in joining the Kroonstad Black Belt Academy can call Morné England on 082 928 3583 or visit the club at Primitive Pump Gym, Oranje Street, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 17:30 to 20:00.
You must be logged in to post a comment.