GEORGE NEWS - Young grapplers from the Bear Fight Club Academy in George returned from the Abu Dhabi Combat Club's (ADCC) World Submission Wrestling Championships in Cape Town with an impressive seven medals: three gold, two silver and two bronze.
The six young athletes also demonstrated courage by stepping outside their usual divisions to face older and, in some cases, heavier opponents.
Six-year-old Hunter Barnard was a standout, competing in three divisions. He won gold in the boys six years and under 28kg division before moving up to the boys 7-8 years division. He claimed bronze in the boys 7-8 years and under 28kg division, and finished fourth in the under 32kg division.
Nixon Bredell (9), who only started training a few months ago, earned bronze in the boys 9-10 years 36kg division. He then competed in the boys 11-12 years 36kg division, taking silver against opponents up to three years older.
Finley Bredell (7), also relatively new to the sport, competed in both the boys 7-8 and boys 9-10 years 28kg divisions. Although he did not get a medal, he won fights in both divisions, showing determination and confidence.
The team's other medal winners were Jonah Oelofse (5), who won gold, Gabriel Oelofse (8), who claimed gold, and Daniel Martins (9), who earned two silver medals.
Coach Robert Harris praised the young fighters for their commitment, resilience and sportsmanship.
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