logo
Graaff-Reinet Raptors earn tickets to world championships

Graaff-Reinet Raptors earn tickets to world championships

The Herald10-07-2025
Graaff-Reinet Raptors, led by Sensei Aletta van den Bosch, made their mark at the recent Mixed Martial Arts SA Championships and will represent the country in the WKA World Championships in April or May 2026.
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
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Banyana still have a lot to play for at WAFCON, says Ellis
Banyana still have a lot to play for at WAFCON, says Ellis

The Citizen

time2 hours ago

  • The Citizen

Banyana still have a lot to play for at WAFCON, says Ellis

'It's not just the medal but like I said we're going to try and do this for Gabriela," said Ellis. Despite their failure to defend their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Banyana Banyana still have something to play for and they will fight with everything left in them to return home with a medal. This is according to Banyana coach Desiree Ellis. ALSO READ: Banyana star Salgado on the mend after successful surgery Speaking ahead of the third-place playoff match against Ghana at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Friday night (kick-off is at 9pm SA time), Ellis said that it was important for Banyana to end their WAFCON campaign on a high note. 'Most definitely, there's disappointment with not getting to the final of course but there's still something to play for and that is important,' said Ellis. Ellis added that they also want to win their encounter against the Black Queens for Gabriela Salgado, who will miss it because of an injury. Salgado suffered a serious injury during Banyana Banyana's 2-1 loss to Nigeria in a semifinal clash played against Nigeria at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium last Tuesday. 'It's not just the medal but like I said we're going to try and do this for Gabriela. She is going home with an injury, we will make sure that she gets a medal because it's important that we still fight for the third place, so there's still something to play for, it's not just a playoff match that doesn't mean anything. It's a playoff match that gets you a medal and I think it's going to be important how we lift ourselves up after this and then get ready for that match,' said Ellis. Meanwhile, Salgado underwent a successful operation at the Mohamed VI University Hospital in Casablanca, Morocco, on Wednesday. Banyana team doctor, Dr Lindi Mokoena, says following the operation, Salgado will be out of action for the rest of the year. 'Gabi sustained a fracture of the mid-shaft of her left leg during the fixture against Nigeria and underwent a successful surgery at the Mohamed VI University Hospital in Casablanca. She will be out of action for the rest of the year, but we are pleased that she received exceptional care from the medical team of Banyana Banyana, CAF and the hospital,' said Dr Mokoena. ALSO READ: Ellis blames Salgado injury for Banyana's WAFCON loss 'We were fully confident and comfortable with the procedure that was performed in Morocco and would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to CAF and the dedicated staff at the Mohamed VI University Hospital for their professionalism and outstanding support during this time.'

Mamelodi Sundowns launch new jersey for 2025-26 season
Mamelodi Sundowns launch new jersey for 2025-26 season

The Herald

time3 hours ago

  • The Herald

Mamelodi Sundowns launch new jersey for 2025-26 season

Mamelodi Sundowns have launched their new kit for the 2025-2026 season. The kit, announced on the club's social media platforms, 'showcases art of play design inspired by the dazzling combination of strategy, precision and artistry', the club said. The home kit is in the traditional yellow shirt, blue shorts and white socks, while the alternate kit features a white shirt, white pants and blue socks. The difference is in the details as the eye-catching art of play graphics are executed on the side panels of the shirts and shorts.

Giants: A story of faith, family and football
Giants: A story of faith, family and football

Mail & Guardian

time4 hours ago

  • Mail & Guardian

Giants: A story of faith, family and football

Olisa Ndah and Thabiso Sesane discuss the struggles of injuries. Photos: Supplied In the fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, a poor boy trades his family's cow for magical beans that sprout into the heavens and into the realm of giants. Many lessons can be taken from the story but one that stands out is that of faith and family. The belief that magical beans can grow and uproot your family from suffering can be seen as whimsical and as far-fetched as the dream of making it as a professional footballer or, if you're a fan, that your team will march to victory. Yet somehow this classic fairy tale beautifully parallels the football story told in the upcoming sports docuseries, Giants. The latest in the roster of SuperSport Originals, Giants is produced in collaboration with the award-winning film company T+W to tell a story about faith, family and football. In the five-part series scheduled for a five-season run, South African football teams will grant T+W exclusive access to document their league and cup campaigns. Season 1 sees the production house and broadcaster lay bare the heart and soul of Orlando Pirates' 2024‑25 season in a raw and emotional narrative. For Giants, think Netflix's Drive to Survive but for iDiski Times website. For the non-sporting people, imagine the American NBC comedy The Office but in the high-pressure, high-performance and unscripted world of football. Yes, you get a laugh here and there, but ultimately on Giants you are seeing the most human aspect of athletes who, with their gladiatorial frame, often seem infallible. You don't see athletes, you see humans. 'Audiences today want more than match highlights — they want depth, emotion, context and humanity,' says series director Luthando Tshaya. Director Luthando Tshaya 'With Giants, we aimed to shift the focus beyond the pitch. This documentary has to shine a brighter light on the players themselves, their personal journeys, the communities and families they come from. This was about capturing not just football, but life.' 'You connect with them and connect with their families; you start praying the same prayers as their moms,' adds executive producer Siyanda Manzini. Bringing this behemoth of a production to life required self-sacrifice and dedication, meaning the team behind the scenes had to fall in love with telling a story of humanity through the lens of football. 'We captured everything from early-morning gym sessions and emotional family moments to high-stakes match days and tactical decisions behind closed doors,' says Manzini. 'It was about trust. And once we earned that trust, we unlocked gold.' Trust was a vital cog in carving this viewing experience. Imagine having a camera on you during that unnecessary Teams call for a presentation you're not prepared for at work. That level of vulnerability is no laughing matter. Equally daunting yet therapeutic for Lebo Lepasa, the sister of Orlando Pirates' striker Zakhele Lepasa, was opening up to the world. 'For me it was emotional, eye-opening and strangely healing. Sharing personal parts of our lives felt daunting at first but the crew created a space that was respectful and supportive. And it also made me appreciate just how powerful storytelling can be,' she says. Tshaya describes the production as telling a story of 'faith beyond football', something Lepasa connects with deeply. As she sits in the stands or fiercely grips the nearest cushion on her couch at home, it's faith that fuels her support of her brother. 'Faith for us has really kept us anchored. It's what has carried us through the pressures, the wins, losses and criticisms of the fans. We kept reminding ourselves that the journey is bigger than football. It's about the purpose, discipline and the legacy,' she says. Similarly, Phumzile Mbatha, the mother of Ezamagebula midfielder Thalente Mbatha, describes herself as shy, but she grew to enjoy the process of filming and the opportunity it gave her to reminisce about raising her son. But being the support system to a player of one of South Africa's biggest clubs is not easy. Pirates coach Helmi Gueldich appears in the football doccie Giants 'It's very challenging because Pirates is a very big team. Since joining Pirates from a smaller team, the biggest challenge is social media,' Mam'Mbatha says. 'People don't understand and don't choose their words wisely. People don't respect the feelings of other people and forget that the players are also human. That is what hurts my feelings, but it's a part of the game.' Mam' Mbatha's resolution of criticism being a part of the game translates into a mental fortitude that her son exhibits in a diary entry that features on Giants. 'There's going to be a lot of critics [but] 'ikhonkotha ehambayo (dogs bark at moving vehicle).' The anecdote is something that keeps the Orlando Pirates No 16 motivated and focused. 'If I wasn't playing, it means you wouldn't be talking. So ikhonkotha ehambayo,' he says. The sporting and cultural weight of Orlando Pirates for South Africa is immeasurable, so the microscopic lens on all details of the club is to be expected. Manzini spoke of the challenge of 'matching the rhythm' of a club she described as 'intsika' (pillar) of black excellence and township pride. Tshaya 'felt the time was right to document what it truly means to wear the black and white jersey, to chase greatness, and to carry the hopes of millions'. But for co-series director Wani Rantloane, Giants goes even deeper. 'What you will learn about Pirates when you watch Giants is that it's very rooted in family and growing communities. It's a club that is run by a family that instils family values.' Rantloane and her co-creators are proud to archive South African football history, to showcase football as a place of joy and, in her words, 'immortalising greatness' through Giants. 'To become a giant, it's not just about being a talented footballer. It also comes with integrity, dealing with failures and challenges,' Rantloane adds. 'If we can start creating relatable and strong role models for our kids, it's going to mould how our society is built. 'People see the player but not the phone calls after a tough game and the prayers before every match. I hope people see the love, the resilience and the deep emotional labour that comes with being their [the players'] support system,' Lepasa says. With the first episode on Sunday, 27 July, on Mzansi Magic, SuperSport and Showmax Premier League, Giants promises to be a beautiful family watch with tonnes of thrills and frills to cultivate lessons and, of course, drama. Brace yourself. 'Expect the truth. Not a scripted gloss-over, but the raw, layered truth of what it means to be a giant,' says Manzini. Giants is meticulously structured to capture key turning points and spotlight different layers of what makes this club iconic. Season 1 cinematically archives the trials, tribulations and triumphs of people who happen to play professional football. It is equally a memorable cinematic experience as it is a reflection of society. It's sure to make that keyboard hater think twice before slandering Mam'Mbatha's son and Lepasa's brother. Though the outcomes of the story are well known to the public, the jeopardy is not lost because skilful storytelling immerses the audience in a recent past that feels like a lucid present. 'Each [episode] has its own heart and rhythm,' says Manzini. 'From the silent struggles to the loud celebrations, every episode brings something distinct, but connected by one powerful thread: legacy.' Tshaya adds: 'You'll see the stories that humanise the badge. Whether you're a die-hard fan or newcomer to South African football, there's something universal in the story.' So whether you choose to see it to decipher whether former coach José Ribeiro is a Michael Scott kind of leader or a Jay Pritchett one, whether you leave your couch having adopted the faith Jack had in his magical beans to help his family, you're sure to scale the heights of a deeply humanising journey and sit among giants.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store