Events

2012 Events

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The MSA President’s team is currently in Thailand for the World Muay Thai Federation World Championships taking place from 12th to 24th March 2012 in Bangkok. We are wishing them every success and will keep you updated on their achievement.

2011 Events

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2011 Pro-Am Open International Muay Thai Championships

The 2011 Pro-Am Championships took place in Bangkok, Thailand from the 12th to 17th August 2011. Johannes De Bruijn represented MSA in the Super Heavy Weight category. Kru Yai Mario Da Silva said:

“Johannes De Bruijn representing Muay Thai South Africa at the Pro-Am Open International World Championships from the 13-17th August in Bangkok Thailand, made his debut in the WMF Pro-Am circuit successfully. Fighting outside of his own weight category, that of heavy weight, due to there being no contestant in that category, he undertook the challenge of a catchweight fight in the Super Heavy Weigh…t division. Although being out-sized and out-weighted, he was by no means out-matched as he achieved runner-up position in that weight category and is now ranked by WMF as number 2 in the world in the Super Heavy Weight division. Our congratulations to you, Johannes, on behalf of MSA and personally from myself, Master Kru Mario Da Silva, as we were proud to have you represent us the way you did and we looks forward to a fighting career full of succcess.“

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2011 WMF World Championships

The 2011 WMF World Championships were held in the ancient city of Ayutthaya in Thailand from the 11th to 22nd of March 2011. MSA took a team of two young athletes and came home with a 100% record, with Ayanda Ngxamngxa winning a silver medal and Drikus Schutte winning a bronze medal. During the Championships, Rui Da Silva was qualified as a coach through WMF.

2010 Events

The 6th World Thai Martial Arts Festival

The Festival was held in the ancient city of Ayutthaya from the 13th – 17th March and was sanctioned by the following international bodies in Thailand: The Association Institute of Thai Martial Arts (AITMA) and the Kru Muay Thai Association. The festival was attended by Kru Mario Da Silva and Kru Joanne Riley, who were both evaluated by the Grand Masters of Thailand and passed their grading. The Kru Yai Mario now holds the grade of Khan 13, or Assistant Master (Kru Yai) and Kru Joanne holds the grade of Khan 12 or Instructor (Kru). These are the first two South Africans to be evaluated in Thailand and accredited as and qualified as instructors in the arts of Muay Boran and Muay Thai

The award of the Mongkon to signify the achievement was done at the Wai Kru ceremony held in the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya. The mongkons were presented to each student by the Grand Masters according to the traditions and cultures embodied in the Thai martial arts. It was an incredible experience and powerfully moving to be a part of such a festival. We are honored by the recognition and hope to be able to take instructors to the festival each year to be assessed by the Grand Masters.

The 7th WMF World Championships.

The World Championships were held from 18th to 26th March in Bangkok, Thailand. MSA took a development team of four athletes and 2 officials to the event, led by Kru Yai Mario Da Silva.

David Buirski competed in the Heavyweight division
Matthew Buirski competed in the Middleweight division
Merinda Botha competed in the Ladies Light Weight Division
Drikus (Andries) Schutte competed in the Junior Featherweight division.

From the 4 athletes we brought home two medals, a bronze medal for David Buirski and a silver medal for Merinda Botha. Matthew Buirski and Drikus Schutte also need to be commended for their hard work and dedication. They were unfortunately eliminated in earlier rounds to strong opponents from Thailand and Uzbekistan. All athletes learnt a lot and gained valuable experience.

Merinda Botha David Buirski

In addition to the athletes success, Kru Lloyd Kemertgoglou, the assistant coach to the team trained and was qualified as an international judge. He refereed his first international fight during the World Championships and must be commended for his professionalism. Kru Joanne Riley, manager to the team, attended the coaching course hosted by WMF and was qualified as a C-level coach.