GEORGE NEWS - As was expected, South Africa triumphed at the bi-lateral kickboxing championships against Turkey at the Grandwest Casino in Goodwood last weekend, winning five of the nine fights.

But a rare achievement by three women from George had the kickboxing fraternity talking. The Protea team's manager, their coach and one of their fighters all hail from George.

Anne van der Merwe is the Proteas team manager while sensei Natasha Wagner, from the DMF Kickboxing Club in George, coaches the team of which Janine van der Merwe is a member. Janine is the only woman fighter from Eden to represent the Proteas. Natasha also refereed some of the fights at the championships.

All three will be part of the Protea team, in their same capacities, for the upcoming Senior World Kickboxing Championships in Hungary in November.

Both Anne and Natasha will also act as referees.

Left: Anne van der Merwe congratulates Janine van der Merwe. Right: Sensei Natasha Wagner (left), coach of the Protea kickboxing team, Janine van der Merwe, Protea kickboxer, and Anne van der Merwe, Protea team manager, sharing the trophy South Africa won after beating Turkey in their bi-lateral kickboxing championships. All three women are from George.

'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'