Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Outside help lifts Van Wyk at MMA Africa champs
NICOLE van Wyk appreciates it when her gym teammates shout advice to her from outside the hexagon.
Representing Team South Africa at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation Africa Championships in Joburg, Van Wyk was assigned two national coaches by MMASA (Mixed Martial Arts South Africa).
These coaches are responsible for guiding the athletes during the tournament, however, this did not stop her House of Tinkerbell gym teammates and Extreme Fighting Championship athletes, Gift Walker and Peace Nguphane from shouting tips from the audience.
“Yes, it does irritate the SA coaches sometimes, but Giftie (Gift Walker) and Peace train with me. They know me, they know what my style is, and that is why they were also shouting in the back ‘do this and do that’, and I always listen, I do good when I also listen to them. They know my game,” says the 2021 South African flyweight champion.
Van Wyk has a chance to add another gold medal to her closet today when she faces fellow teammate, Bianca Stander in the African Championship flyweight final after beating fellow South African, Nadia Terblanche via a rear-naked choke in the second round of their semi-final match yesterday.
“This year, I am going to get that gold at the African Championships, no matter what,” said the 20-year-old Van Wyk who resides in Boksburg.
Van Wyk might have the advantage in terms of weight, with her being a natural flyweight and her opponent having never fought at 56.7kg before.
However, Stander proved herself worthy in the heavier weight division, beating Angola’s Esperanca Pereira in the second round via rear-naked choke.
Today’s finals will begin at 11am. Stay tuned to IOLSport and MzansiMMA
for updates.
Select results from Day 2’s semi-final action:
Bout 1: Female F: Flyweight: Bianca Stander (SA) bt Esperanca Pereira (Angola) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 2, 2:10
Bout 2: Female F: Flyweight: Nicole van Wyk (SA) bt Nadia Terblanche (SA) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 2, 2:06
Bout 3: Female F: Bantamweight: Mischka Laubscher (SA) bt Carissa Botha (SA) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 1, 2:00
Bout 4: Male M: Flyweight: Mathys du Randt (SA) bt Jason Beukes (Namibia) via Unanimous Decision Round 3 (3027, 30-27, 30-27)
Bout 5: Male M: Bantamweight: Maurio Silva (Angola) bt Adalberto Ntyamba (Angola) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 1, 2:31
Bout 6: Male M: Bantamweight: Nathanial Komana (SA) bt Sipho Mlaba (SA) via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 2, 1:50
Bout 7: Male M: Featherweight: Veja Hinda (Namibia) bt Geraldo Moïse (Mauritius) via KO Round 1, 0:52
Bout 8: Male M: Featherweight: Nicolaas Vermaak (SA) bt Elizandro Sousa (Angola) via TKO Round 1, 0:59
Bout 9: Male M: Lightweight: Ken Nyaondo (Zambia) bt Tulunda Daniel (Angola) via Unanimous Decision Round 3 (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Bout 10: Male M: Lightweight:: Lewis Mataya (Zimbabwe) bt Geraldo Bok (Namibia) via TKO Round 2, 2:14
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