Pictured above: 2016 IMMAF Africa Open Bantamweight Champion, Luthando Biko. Bertus Coetzee, president of Mixed Martial Arts South Africa (MMASA), spoke to IMMAF.org following the completion of last week’s historic first IMMAF Africa Open Championships, contested in Johannesburg. Hosted and regulated by MMASA, the 2016 IMMAF Africa Open was the first international amateur MMA championships to take place on African soil. Following a successful inaugural event, the MMASA president looks forward to building upon the foundations that have been laid out by the dedicated athletes, officials, and organizing personnel. In the lead up to the Championships, Coetzee promised that athletes would be welcomed with South African culture that would not be forgotten, and the MMASA team lived up to expectations with a warm and hospitable atmosphere where competing teams were even treated to a skydiving experience. “The competition went well,” Coetzee stated. “With the help from the IMMAF officials and personnel we were able to run the event Smoothly. For the first ever All African Open, it went great, received many compliments from the attendees and from competitors. Small items were identified and it can only get better from here on end. “We did our best with what we had and we are glad that we could make our international attendees feel welcome. They will always have a place here with us as they to treated us with respect. We are truly blessed to have been able to show them our South African culture.” Across the 8 contested divisions, South Africa claimed 16 medals including 3 Gold, 5 Silver and 8 Bronze; a haul that has seen the South African national team jump to second place in the officials IMMAF World Rankings, following on from breakthrough performances at the 2016 IMMAF World Championships where Team SA’s Pieter Roedulf Roets won Gold at 155lbs and Dwain Meredith achieved Bronze in the +265lb Super-Heavyweight bracket. After what’s been a sensational year for amateur MMA in South Africa, Coetzee believes that the prowess of the national team has well and truly been established. Next on the IMMAF calendar is the 2016 European Open Championships from November 22-26 in Prague, Czech Republic, and the MMASA president warns; “SA is coming!” “Team SA did exceptionally well and I could not be prouder of my team. The performances of the athletes were exceptional and showcased the talent that we have in going up against number 1 ranked Sweden and winning several weight divisions. We have shown the world that we are a team and country with talent and were are to be taken seriously. “SA is coming! It will not be an easy road for anyone but we will be bringing our best and we will surely be coming for those Gold medals. Our team has already planned their fight camps for the European Open and are eager to ensure they perform.” Click HERE for medalists and results of the 2016 IMMAF Africa Open Championships. By IMMAF.org lead writer and website manager, Jorden Curran]]>
South Africa moves to 2nd in IMMAF World Rankings following 2016 Africa Open
