Speed advantage decisive for victorious Namibian
TEAM Namibia made a big statement on day one of the IMMAF Africa Championships in Johannesburg yesterday.
With the team making their debut, both Geraldo Bok (lightweight) and Veja Hinda (featherweight) finished their opponents in fine style at the EFC Performance Institute.
Speaking to some of the debutants on registration day, the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation-sanctioned event could not come quicker as they were anxiously waiting for their chance to showcase their talent, and Bok wasted no time in announcing himself to the MMA world.
“A great Irishman once said, ‘we’re not here to take part, we’re here to take over,’” said Windhoek’s Bok, quoting global superstar Conor McGregor.
“And this is just something similar to Namibia. This is not even the start for our nation.”
Bok, who sports great agility and awareness, made it extremely difficult for his Mauritian opponent Vedaman Canee to find his timing and rhythm.
“It was an absolutely amazing finish. I am ecstatic. I am not going to lie to you: the first round, I was just feeling him out, seeing what he was going to do,” said the 24-yearold Bok, who ended the fight via a technical knockout.
“I knew I had the speed advantage over him.
“I just continued listening to my coach, stayed calm, and when the second round came, he actually gave me the finish, in my opinion.
“He made an error that I capitalised on, and I took him with both hands from there.”
Bok’s victory made it two out of two for Team Namibia after Hinda beat Tresor Musampa from the Democratic Republic of Congo via triangle choke in the first round.
“We’re not here for a vacation. I am looking forward to more of the same results tomorrow,” Bok said.
“My boy Jason Beukes is doing work in the flyweight division tomorrow, and I will be back in the lightweight division again.
“We also have a couple of great athletes like my friend Damian and others who are unfortunately injured, but you will see them soon once they’ve healed up.”
DAY ONE RESULTS
Bout 1: Bantamweight 61.2kg: Maurio Silva (Angola) beat Djadoo Lionel Ashley Cedric (Mauritius) via rear-naked choke in round two
Bout 2: Bantamweight 61.2kg: Sipho Mlaba (South Africa) beat Doris Bayanga (Democratic Republic of the Congo) in round two via rear naked choke
Bout 3: Bantamweight 61.2kg: Nathanial Komana (SA) beat Mwelwa Nkhata (Zambia) via unanimous decision, 30-27 Bout 4: Featherweight 65.8kg: Veja Hinda (Namibia) beat Tresor Musampa (DRC) via triangle choke in the first round
Bout 5: Featherweight 65.8kg: Nicolaas Vermaak (SA) beat Divaldo Vicente (Angola) via TKO due to strikes in round two
Bout 6: Lightweight 70.3kg: Ken Nyaondo (Zambia) beat Luan Tomas Shaka (Angola) via rear-naked choke in round one
Bout 7: Lightweight 70.3kg: Lewis Mataya (Zimbabwe) beat Allistar Kunene (SA) via unanimous decision
Bout 8: Lightweight 70.3kg: Geraldo Bok (Namibia) beat Vedaman Canee (Mauritius) via TKO due to strikes in round two
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