Local kickboxing club, Botha’s Kickboxing Academy, hosted the annual Eastern Cape Provincial Trials on February 3 at the Newton Hall in Jeffreys Bay. The trials were organised by the Eastern Cape Kickboxing Association under the guidance of the South African Kickboxing Association (SAKA), affiliated with the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO), which is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The Eastern Cape trials serve as a platform to connect kickboxers from across the Eastern Cape to allow them to compete in various fighting styles, like semi-contact, light contact, and low kicks, to name a few.
During the opening, Shihan Louwrens Botha of Botha’s Kickboxing Academy encouraged fighters to show sportsmanship, mutual respect, and skill.
After the opening ceremony spectators saw a display of stellar footwork and leggy masterpieces that had everyone cheering.
A total of 30 fighters from four clubs took part, including Strydom Kickboxing Academy (SKA) from Kariega, Despatch, Gqeberha and Cape Town, Mile High Kickboxing (MHK) from Gqeberha, Strike Kickboxing Academy (SKA-affiliated) from Port Alfred, and Botha’s Kickboxing Academy from Jeffreys Bay.
Botha said that some of their kickboxing mottos include “believe in yourself”; “where families become friends”; “fostering a supportive and inclusive environment” and “no retreat and no surrender”.
“It’s no wonder that each one of the above-mentioned club’s instructors believe that kickboxing is an effective form of physical fitness and mental discipline,” said Botha.
He said that experienced instructors were there to guide fighters through each step, with the shihans, senseis and senpais of each kickboxing club having either represented their club, or also taken part in national and provincial championships, and as a result have received national sports awards and represented South Africa internationally.
Botha further said that some of the instructors also have experience in different fighting styles, and other forms of martial arts.
He said that the Eastern Cape trials were the first of two events which form the selection criteria for the Eastern Cape team.
The second event will be “Battle of the Karoo” on March 2, in Oudtshoorn, with clubs from the Garden Route, Karoo, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape expected to represent their teams at the event.
After the “Battle of the Karoo” the Eastern Cape team for 2024 will be announced.
“The chosen team will then go on to compete in the South African National Championships, in affiliation with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), in association with SAKA and WAKO respectively,” said Botha.
The national event will take place from April 22 to 28, in Potchefstroom in the North West.
Botha said that throughout the years WAKO and SAKA have produced national and international fighters, after initially starting off with kickboxing and then moving into different martial arts thereafter.
He further said that former kickboxer, Dricus du Plessis, who was a member of SAKA, recently became the World Champion in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
Botha said that his kickboxing club would like to thank all the participating clubs, spectators, workers, and cleaners who made the provincial event possible.
For more information or to join the kickboxing family, contact shihan Louwrens Botha on 072 357 5090.
