Affiliates
Follow us on
Follow us on
The World Muaythai Championship 2009 was held from November 27 to December 5, 2009 at The Mall Ngamwongwan, Bangkok.
Over 1,400 athletes, officials and representatives from 82 national
federations travelled to Bangkok to be part of this glorious event.
This years' IFMA World Championship was the largest and strongest
competition that IFMA has seen. This competition also acted as the
qualifiers for athletes to participate in the 2010 Sportaccord
Combat Games in Beijing.
The SA Team's opponents had in some cases double our fight records
with much more ring experience. Nevertheless All the South African
fighters did their best and it was a great learning experience for
everyone who participated in the competition.
The SA National Muaythai team consisted of the following
members.
Female Senior
Sarika Engela Lightweight
Madeleine Ross Light Welterweight
Male Senior
Guy Luzarus (Bronze Medalist) Bantamweight
Funda Lunga Tshabalala Light Welterweight
Kevin Pheko Welterweight
Jason Bongers Light Middleweight
Zaphon Geldenhuys Middleweight
Officials
Lester Lombard (Assistant Coach)
Quentin Chong (Coach)
Gary Trappler (Manager)
We would like to congratulate Guy Lazarus who brought back a Bronze Medal.
Even though there were not more medals won, the SA Team really came together as one single unit and showed the world that South African Muaythai is a force to be noticed, especially the female team as the standard of females Muaythai has grown in leaps and bounds this last year; with the female division producing many of the most exciting bouts of
the tournament.
After 8 days of competition we attended the IFMA finals and the
Kings Cup 2009. We had the privilege to be part of the celebrations
of the King of Thailand's 82nd birthday. While fireworks lit up the
sky in honor of the King, thousands of muaythai fans and
well-wishers held candles, waving Thai flags cheered, and chanted
"Song Phra Charoen" or "Long Live the King" at the muaythai stadium
's Sanam Luang grounds near both the Royal Palace and at the Temple
of the Emerald Buddha.
After the candle ceremony, 8 world class professional fighters from
Brazil, Norway, Germany, Austria, Iran, France and 2 fighters from
Thailand battled it out in the ring. The last man standing, Cosmo
Alexander from Brazil won the Kings Cup.
The IFMA World Championships 2009 showed great strength and true
fighting spirit from all of SA fighters, this year's performance is
a tremendous building block for the future of SA Muaythai bringing
us one step closer to solidifying South Africa's place on the very
competitive International Muaythai Stage.
Sifu Kru Quentin Chong was called up as the representative of SAAMF to receive a placard acknowledging all the good work that has been done in South Africa in promoting the sport of Muaythai.
During IFMA's AGM it was announced that South Africa is in consideration to host the 2011 IFMA World Muaythai Championships. This goes to show how much the sport has grown in South Africa and the worlds recognition of what South Africa has to offer the world of Muaythai.
A great time was had by all involved and many friendships were made
across the country and the globe.
\
