VANDERBIJLPARK. – The Tri Dragons martial arts club has recently participated in two national kickboxing events and the Arnold Classic in past six weeks. In April 14 athletes attended the third annual FCMA (full contact martial arts) SA championships held in Kempton Park and returned victorious with 12 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze medals. This was a first as they are fairly new to the organization. From April 27-29, 7 athletes attended the SAKA (South African Kickboxing Association) tournament held in Oudtshoorn and walked away with six more gold, five silver, and four bronze medals. SAKA is considered one of the toughest tournaments in SA. To finish things off 10 athletes attended the annual Arnolds Classic in May winning seven gold, four silver, and four bronze medals.
Shihan Brandin Fourie, chief instructor and vice chairman of Sedibeng kickboxing, is pleased calling it a record-breaking year for kickboxing in the Vaal winning the most gold medals to date. These organizations in their own blocks reward the athletes with full national and presidential colors. These athletes will represent South Africa in October, November 2019 and March 2020 in England, Bosnia, Turkey, and ISKA US open in Florida, USA.
At 41 years of age Fourie still inspires and leads by example by competing for enjoyment also raking in six of the 25 gold medals thus far. In 2009 he earned eight SA titles in three respective kickboxing nationals. Fourie and his team are focused on setting the record bar even higher when they compete at the ISKA destiny (SASMA) held in October in Cape Town later this year.
The students of Tri Dragons who earned medals at the Full Contact Martial Arts SA Championships are back from left: Cindy van Wyk, Owen Coetzer, Brandin Fourie, and Maralize van der Westhuizen. Middle: Yanke van Rooyen, Austin Coetzee, and Ailani van Rensburg. Front: LJ Theron, Dylan Coetzeand and Aldo Grobler. Absent: Jo –Anne Barnard, Jannie Barnard, Natan le grange, Liaan de Beer and Gert de Beer.
