Kickboxers strike gold at world champs

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SPORT NEWS - George's kickboxers have proved their mettle on the international stage, bringing home an impressive haul of 11 gold, four silver and five bronze medals from the WKA World Championships in Sheffield, England.

The two local teams were set to arrive back at the George Airport on Wednesday afternoon, 22 October.

Coaches Sors Grobbelaar of Scorpions Martial Arts Academy and Carl Brink of the Pacaltsdorp Kickboxing Club accompanied their respective groups of fighters who formed part of the national team.

Team South Africa finished fourth in the world, collecting 25 gold, 21 silver and 22 bronze medals across all divisions.

PHOTO GALLERY - Kickboxers prove their mettle on world stage

Under Grobbelaar's guidance, Waldimar Valentyn (16) was a standout performer with four gold medals and a bronze, while Gideon Botha (17) took two golds and a silver, Roland Jonker (18) one gold and a bronze, and Emma-Jané Grobbelaar (14) two silvers and a bronze.

Keziah Liberty (17) also impressed with one silver and two bronze medals, alongside teammates Christiaan Rheeder (12) and André Kapp (29), a teacher at Conville Primary School.

Waldimar Valentyn (16) of Scorpions Martial Arts Academy was a standout performer with four gold medals and a bronze.

Brink's team delivered outstanding performances with Tyler Pieterse (12) and Linwin Pedro (14) each earning two gold medals. Jayden-Lee Barends (11), Leah-Grace Gericke (13) and Waylin Malgas (16) also represented George with pride.

Tyler Pieterse captured local hearts before the tournament when young beauty queen Jade Joy Swartz (13) helped fund his flight to Johannesburg, ensuring he could join his teammates on the journey to Sheffield.

His mother, Aretha, said he was overjoyed when he shared the news of his two gold medals. "I am, of course, very proud and very thankful for this opportunity," she said.

Tyler Pieterse (12) and his coach, Carl Brink of Pacaltsdorp Kickboxing Club. Tyler won two gold medals.