Three KwaZulu-Natal fighters represented South Africa at the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) African Continental Kickboxing Championship in Benoni, Gauteng, recently and walked away with gold, silver and bronze medals.
Members of the Practical Combat Sport Scottburgh club, Bianca Arthur, 30, won gold in the over 70kg Tatami Kick Light, Nicole Tome-Alves, 26, competed in the elite K1 division in the Ring and won a bronze medal, and Kai Low, 17, won silver in the under 69kg Juniors in Tatami in the two-day competition two weeks ago.
Arthur said the experience was something she will never forget.
“The competition brought together top athletes from 16 different countries across the whole of Africa, showcasing elite levels of skill and sportsmanship,” she said.
Arthur said when she stepped onto the Tatami mat, she knew that this was not only her chance to test her abilities but also an opportunity to make South Africa proud.
“The competition was fierce, with each round pushing me to my limits and demanding both physical strength and mental resilience. However, my dedication to training and my unwavering focus allowed me to stay grounded and execute my techniques effectively, one round after another,” she said.
She said winning gold in her category was a symbol of all her hard work.
“The feeling of standing on the podium, with the national anthem playing and the gold trophy in my hands, was indescribable. It was a moment of triumph not just for me, but for my coach, teammates, and everyone who supported me along the way.”
Tome-Alves said the competition was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“As it was a World Games qualifier, the competition was fierce, and I had the privilege of going up against some of the highest-ranked athletes in the world.”
The level of skill and dedication displayed by my fellow competitors was inspiring, and I left the event with a tremendous amount of experience and valuable lessons,” she stated.
Describing her experience, Tome-Alves said fighting in the ring was a surreal experience.
“The nerves before stepping in were intense, but once I faced my opponent, everything I had trained for kicked in, and I fought with everything I had. The feeling of pushing through fear and giving my all in such a prestigious event was exhilarating,” she said.
She said the growth of the sport in Africa was undeniable, and being a part of this experience has only fuelled
her determination to keep pushing forward.
“I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and can't wait to continue improving, representing my country, and growing with the sport…I am already excited for what 2025 will bring for South Africa,” said Tome-Alves.
Club coach Malcolm Vincent said Kai was happy to have gotten silver; however, he was also a little disappointed because he believed that he was good enough to win gold.
He said Kai was also happy that after his first full year of kickboxing, he managed to get medals in the KZN Champs, SA Champs and Africa Champs.
Vincent said he was proud of all three fighters who had to train all year to prepare, including sparring, fitness and strength. He said they trained six days a week while still holding a job and, in Kai's case, going to school.
“They also had to make many financial sacrifices ,as competing is not cheap. At the Africa Champs, all three fought extremely well.”
For a small club on the South Coast, Vincent said the championship was a great experience.
Vincent said all three fighters are now preparing for SA Champs in 2025 and future Fight Nights, as well as hoping for sponsorship to go to World Champs in the future.
