I knew I had the speed advantage, says victorious Bok
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 very hard 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-year-old 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 (Democratic Republic of the 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.