• COM ERO Focus

Swakopmund Fight Club gears up for bigger stage

• 1 Day Ago - 2025-04-02 00:00:00

THE Swakopmund Fight Club hosted its premier martial arts tournament, Tatami Titans 2025, on Saturday at the Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre.
The event featured a full day of kickboxing and jiu-jitsu bouts, and while the medal count mattered, the club’s focus remained firmly on developing the sport, educating the public, and preparing athletes for higher-level competition.
According to event organiser Jacky Sass, the tournament was part of a wider effort to grow combat sport codes in Namibia.
“We are not about blood and cage fights. This is a regulated, structured, and disciplined sport,” she said. “Kickboxing and jiu-jitsu are both governed by international standards, and we strictly adhere to safety rules. It’s about skill, not aggression.”
The tournament drew athletes from the Erongo and Khomas regions. Competitors ranged from juniors as young as eight to veterans well into their forties, including experienced referees whose involvement brings depth and continuity to the local scene.
“The knowledge the older generation brings is invaluable,” Sass said. “And to see the younger ones – even eight-year-olds – stepping onto the tatami is a sign that the sport has a solid future.”
Among the standout performances in jiu-jitsu, Armindo Cardoso emerged as a double gold medallist. He won the senior 60–70kg No-Gi category by armbar submission and later claimed victory in the Gi division with a collar choke. Similarly, Oliver Jooste made a clean sweep in the senior 70–110kg division, winning his No-Gi matches by a rear naked choke and points, and then taking the Gi gold again by points and submission. In the junior ranks, Mwala Mubita impressed by securing gold in the 50–80kg Gi Division with a combination of triangle and armbar techniques.
In kickboxing, the club’s own Taleila Sass led the junior female division, winning gold in both Point Fighting and Light Contact categories. Giandre Potgieter also delivered a strong performance in the junior male section, taking gold in both Point Fighting and Light Contact. In the senior ranks, Nathan Oppermann took the Point Fighting title before moving into a bruising Full Contact final, where he was edged out by Ryan Roux. Another Full Contact highlight saw Laurent Prieur take gold over a tough opponent in Oliver Jooste, who had earlier dominated the jiu-jitsu mats.
Senior Light Contact gold went to Gilberto Lucas, who also claimed silver in the jiu-jitsu No-Gi 60-70kg class, proving his versatility across both sport codes. Among the juniors, Valentino Fillipus and Liam Blaauw stood out, with Blaauw also taking gold in the junior 70–80kg No-Gi jiu-jitsu category.
Though Tatami Titans 2025 was not an official ranking event, it served as a crucial stepping stone for fighters seeking competitive exposure.
“There was a lot of excitement on Saturday,” Sass said. “From high-level Full Contact bouts to the technical precision required in No-Gi jiu-jitsu, the standard was encouraging. We’re hoping future editions will include trophies and cash prizes.”
All eyes are now set on the upcoming Namib War III event in July.