South African Muay Thai athletes shine at international games in Bangkok
Muay Thai Shane Deacon in action in the main event win in Bangkok a fortnight ago.
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The South African Muay Thai Organisation took a team of six athletes to the international games taking place in Bangkok, last month.
Team coach and president of the SA Muay Thai Organisation, Kru Nic Radley, said he was proud to see South African athletes competing against the world’s best in the home of Thai fighting, supported by his coaching team, which included SA Muay Thai Organisation treasurer and assistant coach Shaheen Price.
"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, and from parents to judges and referees "that attended the games to stamp our name in the books even more so.”
SA Muay Thai coaches Nic Radley, left, and Shaheen Price, right, with one of the medal winners from SA, Khaya Ntombela.
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Mr Radley said Bangkok was a long way from home but for the love of the sport, the team makes it work for the benefit of country’s Muay Thai fighters. That despite the many challenges the team faces including that of funding for such a major trip.
“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.
Some of the athletes that took part in the games include a rising star and a phenom when it comes to Thai fighting, 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.
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Megan Brown took on a very 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 very strong Russian opponent, Alexei Stoyan in the semi-finals.
Later on the same day, unfortunately, 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.
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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 firstly winning via a second-round stoppage and secondly winning an all-out war against a very game opponent from the United States of America.
South African Muay Thai legend Karl Bergermann had another good international outing.
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In the main event of the tournament, the World Muay Thai Organisation and World Muay Boran Federation coordinated a professional Muay Boran (kard Chuek) fight. This fight would take place with rope wraps.
Capetonian Shane Deacon took on Kom Krabi from Thailand, a decorated fighter with over 500 fights.
Shane Deacon went on to win a decision over 3 rounds to become the Muay Boran Champion and earn a third gold medal for South Africa.