Graaff-Reinet Raptors earn tickets to world championships
The prestigious event brought together 690 young athletes from four provinces, underlining the diverse and growing nature of SA's MMA community.
Fighting under the banner of Kosa (Kickboxing and MMA of SA), the Eastern Cape emerged as the top-performing province, claiming first place overall.
Among the standout performers were three of the athletes from the Graaff-Reinet Raptors, who represented not just their club but their province and age divisions with courage.
Elizabeth Fourie, competing up an age group against 13-year-olds, showcased exceptional versatility and heart, earning bronze in grappling, bronze in MMA light and silver in points fighting.
Chloe-Anne Fourie boldly faced off against her 17-year-old opponents and proved her resilience by collecting silver in grappling, silver in MMA light and bronze in points fighting.
Sunaid Christoffels won gold in grappling and silver in MMA light, while Matthew Christoffels, competing in the 10 to 12 age categories, dominated his field with power and precision in winning gold in grappling. — Graaff-Reinet Raptors
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
Proteas edged by Black Caps in thrilling T20 tri-series final
Needing seven runs off the last over, the SA team lost two wickets for three runs. Proteas batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored his first T20 International half-century in the tri-series final against New Zealand. Picture: Matthew Lewis/ICC/Getty Images South Africa crumbled at the death on Saturday as they were edged out by New Zealand in a three-run defeat in a thrilling T20 International tri-series final in Harare. Having lost to the Black Caps twice in the round robin phase of the series, the under-strength SA team looked set to hit back and lift the series trophy. However, needing just seven runs off the last over, which was bowled by seamer Matt Henry, the Proteas lost two wickets for just three runs. Good start by South Africa Chasing 181 runs to win, the Proteas had got off to a good start after struggling in the early stages of their innings throughout the series. Teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius hit his maiden T20 International half-century at the top of the order, contributing 51 runs off 35 balls in a 92-run stand with opening partner Reeza Hendricks (37 off 31). But after both players were removed midway through the innings, the Proteas lost momentum as they were restricted to 177/6 in their 20 overs. Earlier, after being sent in to bat, New Zealand's top order stood firm, anchored by Devon Conway (47 off 31) and Rachin Ravindra (47 off 27). The SA team's bowling attack, who struggled to get on top of their opposition, were led by seamer Lungi Ndigi who took 2/24.


The Citizen
12 hours ago
- The Citizen
Black Caps tipped to win T20 tri-series final against Proteas
New Zealand have won both games they have played against South Africa thus far in the tri-series. Rassie van der Dussen will captain the Proteas in the T20 tri-series final in Harare on Saturday. Picture: Lee Warren/Gallo Images If South Africa can hit back against New Zealand this weekend, they will not only make amends for earlier defeats in the T20 International tri-series in Harare, but there could also be a decent payout for punters who put their faith in them. With the Black Caps having won both games between the two sides thus far in the two-week series, they will turn out as the favourites on paper. But the second-string SA squad will be hungry to bounce back and lift the trophy in the final to be contested in Harare on Saturday (1pm start). While New Zealand are one place ahead of South Africa in the T20 world rankings, the SA team have a better overall record in previous matches between the two teams. In the 17 games played between the Proteas and the Black Caps since they first met in a T20 clash in 2005, South Africa have triumphed on 11 occasions. However, in the only two matches they have played in the last eight years – both contested over the last fortnight – New Zealand emerged victorious. Bets on offer In return for your Betway cash, backing New Zealand for the win offers 1.57, while a Proteas victory will give you 2.40. In the case of an unlikely tie at the end of the game, this riskier option offers 13.50. Among a wide range of other available bets, odds of up to 100.00 are on offer for various lower-order batters to top score, and there are options to back the team with the best batter and bowler. These Betway odds are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.


Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Eyewitness News
Confident Coetzé ready to represent SA at World Swimming Champs in Singapore
JOHANNESBURG – Team South Africa has sent 14 swimmers to the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, which start on Sunday. Among them is Pieter Coetzé, who travelled directly to Singapore from Germany, where he was representing the country at the World University Games. Coetzé was the only South African to medal at the last World Championships in 2024, claiming bronze in the 200m backstroke and faces a tough task to repeat that feat in a competitive field. 'There have been some very fast times from all over and the field is very bunched up, but I think that's just going to bring the best out of all of us, and we'll push each other so I'm pretty excited to race all these guys who have put up fast times this year,' he said. READ MORE: Pieter Coetzé leads the pack as he qualifies for 4 World Aquatics Championships events Pieter Coetzé snatches the first World Aquatics Championships qualifying time at the SA National Championships The TUKS psychology student left the World University Games with three medals after taking gold in the 50 and 100m backstroke and silver in the 100m freestyle. Coetzé's African record time of 51.99 seconds to take the 100m backstroke gold is the fastest in the world this year. 'I was very happy with how Berlin went and with my performances there,' he said after touching down in Singapore. 'It wasn't really expected at all. I didn't really know what to expect to be fair, but to swim a 51 in the 100 backstroke was definitely unexpected and definitely boosted my confidence,' said Coetzé. The swimmer dipped under 48 seconds for the first time in the 100m freestyle and under 52 seconds in the 100m backstroke. 'It's also good to see the freestyle coming along. To go sub-48 was pretty cool and a big PB as well. So it was all a good sign for Singapore. It is quite close after Berlin, but I think things are looking good.' The swimming programme at the World Aquatics Championships runs from 27 July to 3 August. SA SWIMMING TEAM: Matthew Caldwell, Aimee Canny, Pieter Coetzé, Kaylene Corbett, Caitlin de Lange, Erin Gallagher, Michael Houlie, Rebecca Meder, Georgia Nel, Olivia Nel, Hannah Robertson, Matthew Sates, Chris Smith, Catherine van Rensburg