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Best fighter:
Junior Male - JP Haremse of Gauteng Province
Senior Female - Madeleine Ross of Western Province
Senior Male - Zaphon Geldenhuys of Western Province
Summary of the event:
South African Amateur Muaythai nationals
Grandwest was the setting for the South African amateur Muaythai fight night on the 6th June 2009. Hosted by Cheftrapps and Dragon Power promotions, five provinces from around South Africa, including Gauteng, Kwazulu Natal, The Free State, Eastern and Western Province, all converged on the Grandwest Arena with their best fighters for the South African muaythai nationals. With thirteen fights scheduled the night was set for absolute awesomeness. All was at stake with the winners of each Muaythai division going to represent South Africa in Bangkok, Thailand in this years world championships held in honour of His Majesty the king of Thailand's 82nd birthday.
The night hit off with Victor Tidte of Gauteng knocking out his opponent in the second round in the lightweight division, showing skill and determination he found himself fighting a second bout against the fresh Ryan Berkowitz of Western Province. Experience was the tool Ryan used in order to ensure a points victory against a opponent that, "just wouldn't stay down."
Funda Tshabalala of Western Province dispatched his first opponent, Kwazulu Natal's Dumisani Nkonyana in the third round, technically knocking him out and earning himself a place in the nights seventh fight against the Eastern Cape's Niel Van Riet, however the flair of Funda outclassed his opponent, even though it was his second fight of the evening, technically knocking him out and rightfully earning him the pride of green and gold in the Light Welterweight division.
A short break was kept interesting by the presence of beatboxer, Diabolique, showing some mad vocal skills and getting the crowds heads bobbing to the beat.
By the tenth fight of the evening things had really heated up,
and the middleweight division was contested by Gautengs Morne
Tesner versus Western Provinces Zaphone Geldenhuys.
From the first bell Zaphone took no prisoners, connecting Morne's
head with his knee again and again, until early in the second round
Morne could take no more with his body lying flat on the canvas and
Zaphon's hands held firm in the air.
The only female fight of the evening found Western Provinces Madeleine Ross, fresh from her second place in the Arafura Games, fighting against Eastern Cape's Rebecca Beetham. Rebecca fought passionately but was outclassed by the talented and fierce Madeleine, who sealed victory in the second round by Rebecca's corner throwing the towel in.
During a little break from all the awesomeness, the Ubuntu breakdancers enthralled the crowds with their amazing agility and talent. Sifu Kru Quentin Chong followed it up with thankfull words of appreciation for all the fighters involved and for the crowd making such an event happen.
