3 days ago
Gold, silver, and bronze: South Africa's success at the Muay Thai international games
Muay Thai Shane Deacon in action in the main event in Bangkok.
Image: Supplied
SA Muay Thai Organisation coach and president, Kru Nic Radley, said he was proud to see South African athletes compete against the world's best in the home of Thai fighting, supported by his coaching team, which included treasurer and assistant coach Shaheen Price.
The organisation took a team of six athletes to the international games in Bangkok, last month.
"We are beyond proud of our athletes; we had many highs and lows this trip.
"Not only before the tournament but also after," he said, adding that they were grateful for all the support in Thailand.
SA Muay Thai coaches Nic Radley, left, and Shaheen Price, right, with one of the medal winners from SA, Khaya Ntombela.
Image: Supplied
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Radley said Bangkok was a long way from home but for the love of the sport, the team made it work for the benefit of country's Muay Thai fighters.
'We have an immense amount of talent in our country and it's great to expose it to the world. It's very difficult for us to get big opportunities and fights as we are so down south and far away from all the action in East Asia and Europe,' said Radley.
The International and Thai Martial Arts Games took place from May 18-22 at Nimibutr National stadium in Bangkok.
Among the athletes that took part in the games was rising star, Brian Ncube.
Unfortunately, Ncube came short in his quarter final bout, missing his medal opportunity in the 60kg pro-am division, losing a close decision to the man who went on to win the gold, Kimani Wilmot.
Up and coming Muay Thai fighter, Brian Ncube ready for action in Bangkok.
Image: Supplied
Megan Brown took on an experienced New Zealander, Ishtar Mackey-Huriwai, who fought at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
She came home with a hard-earned a bronze medal in the 60kg pro-am division after losing a narrow decision in the semi-finals.
Karl Bergemann forced a 1st round stoppage via a cut against a Russian opponent, Alexei Stoyan in the semi-finals.
Later on the same day, it was Bergemann who suffered a cut this time, earning himself a silver medal in the Heavyweight pro division.
Verné Prinsloo took gold in the 57kg category.
Image: Supplied
Verné Prinsloo earned herself a gold medal in the 57kg Pro division when she put on a clinical performance against a Mexican opponent Yaire Eunice Alejandro Arjona.
It was not only Capetonians who showed up and flew the SA flag at the games as Khaya Ntombela from Durban also got his hands raised.
Ntombela earned a gold medal in the 86kg pro-am division by winning via a second-round stoppage and winning an all-out war against a very game opponent from the US.
South African Muay Thai legend Karl Bergermann had another good international outing.
Image: Supplied
