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Lowveld fighters battle it out for Jock glory

Lowveld fighters battle it out for Jock glory

The Citizen02-08-2025
A host of fighters from clubs all over the Lowveld competed in the KFS Jock of the Bushveld Tournament on July 26, fighting hard to emerge top of the pops.
The tournament was held in the Shonalanga Sports Hall at the Army Support Base, and a total of 65 fighters from five different clubs around the Lowveld took part. Hosted by the Wolves Academy and the Lowveld Fight Club, the competition was held in line with the Korean Fighting Systems (KFS).
It featured six modes in which the fighters could compete – speed fighting, evolution fighting, submission grappling, stagro (stand-up and ground fighting), open hand forms and weapon forms.
The participating fighters had to make sure they put their best foot forward if they were going to find success on the floor as everyone came determined to give their best. However, Rebecca Calder of the Wolves shined brightest on the day, walking away with a handful of medals after claiming no fewer than four golds and one silver.
Sebastian Smuts (Wolves) also secured himself five medals, three gold and two silver, to claim second place for the day. AJ Barnard of the Machadodorp Fighting Systems Club was third overall thanks to their three golds and one silver.
In the club standings for the day, the hosts ran away with top prize as the Wolves won 22 gold, 25 silver and 16 bronze medals. Machadodorp claimed second spot thanks to 13 gold, 11 silver and three bronze. The X-Fight Academy from Malalane was third on the day with nine gold, one silver and three bronze.
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Belfast's AJ is the Jock of KFS
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AJ Barnard (15) placed third in the top 10 of Mpumalanga, claiming three gold medals and one silver medal at the KFS Jock of the Bushveld Tournament, which was held on July 26 in Mbombela. Training under Henrico Duvenage, Machado Fighting Systems is behind his growth and outstanding performance, Alet Barnard, AJ's mother, humbly said. According to Alet, AJ started kickboxing at the age of seven, but had to discontinue the sport at the age of eight after transport between Belfast and Machadodorp became a problem. AJ, however, was able to pick up kickboxing again last year, but a lack of funding prevented him from competing in provincial trials and this year's nationals. The KFS Jock of the Bushveld Tournament was his first-ever tournament, where he placed third overall. Machado Fighting Systems also placed second in the club standings, reaping in a total of 13 gold, 11 silver, and three bronze medals. Coach Duvenage explained that the Jock featured six modes, speed fighting, evolution fighting, submission fighting, stagro (stand-up and ground fighting), open hand forms, and weapon forms. 'As a club, Machado Fighting Systems is affiliated with Martial Arts South Africa, and we offer a variety of styles, such as Ring Contact Fighting, Korean Fighting Systems (KFS) and grappling. This means that there are many upcoming tournaments that AJ could potentially compete in.' According to Duvenage, who is a former Springbok kickboxer, AJ shows promise and potential to excel in the sport. 'He will have to participate in the Mpumalanga trials, and depending on those results, AJ could qualify for nationals,' Duvenage concluded. AJ, however, is in need of sponsorship to continue with his sport. Expenses include everything from entry fees, clothing, fighting gear, transport, and accommodation for tournaments. Anyone willing to sponsor the talented AJ can contact Alet on 064 192 9033.

Lowveld fighters battle it out for Jock glory
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The Citizen

time02-08-2025

  • The Citizen

Lowveld fighters battle it out for Jock glory

A host of fighters from clubs all over the Lowveld competed in the KFS Jock of the Bushveld Tournament on July 26, fighting hard to emerge top of the pops. The tournament was held in the Shonalanga Sports Hall at the Army Support Base, and a total of 65 fighters from five different clubs around the Lowveld took part. Hosted by the Wolves Academy and the Lowveld Fight Club, the competition was held in line with the Korean Fighting Systems (KFS). It featured six modes in which the fighters could compete – speed fighting, evolution fighting, submission grappling, stagro (stand-up and ground fighting), open hand forms and weapon forms. The participating fighters had to make sure they put their best foot forward if they were going to find success on the floor as everyone came determined to give their best. However, Rebecca Calder of the Wolves shined brightest on the day, walking away with a handful of medals after claiming no fewer than four golds and one silver. Sebastian Smuts (Wolves) also secured himself five medals, three gold and two silver, to claim second place for the day. AJ Barnard of the Machadodorp Fighting Systems Club was third overall thanks to their three golds and one silver. In the club standings for the day, the hosts ran away with top prize as the Wolves won 22 gold, 25 silver and 16 bronze medals. Machadodorp claimed second spot thanks to 13 gold, 11 silver and three bronze. The X-Fight Academy from Malalane was third on the day with nine gold, one silver and three bronze.

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