New Desert Storm champions crowned
Namibian kick-boxer Hirukevi Muhipa was crowned as the new Desert Storm champion in the junior division, while Francois Buys from South Africa clinched the senior title.These title fights were the highlight of the three-day Desert Storm IV championships held in Walvis Bay over the weekend, where 135 athletes competed in mixed martial arts, kick-boxing as well as Jiu-Jitsu (both the Gi and No-Gi forms).
Muhipa managed to pocket the win by points when he defeated Zimbabwean fighter Walter Chiteto during a three-round bout in the ring.
“This win is everything me and my coach worked towards. I expected a win, and we got it,” he said after the fight.
Buys meant business when he stepped into the ring, winning by knockout against Namibian fighter Martin Nandu. Within the first minute of the first round, Nandu found himself on the canvas twice, before the judges ruled in favour of his opponent.
“When I stepped into the ring, the plan was to hit - not miss - and remain calm. This fight only took a minute, but sometimes it takes five rounds to eventually walk away as champion. I’m looking forward to the next fights. I am very happy because I’ve really worked hard and all the glory to God”, an ecstatic Buys stated.
Other results
In four open division fights leading up to the main events, Tinotenda Kawocha from Zimbabwe defeated Timothy Dumwa also from Zimbabwe by unanimous decision.
Namibia's Deveraux Hendricks suffered a defeat at the hands of Kuziva Lastway Chita from Zimbabwe through a technical knockout during round three.
In the women's open division, Kudakwashe Chikwature from Zimbabwe pocketed a win against Aneke Goosen from South Africa also by unanimous decision.
Finally, before the major title fights, Festus Djuulume from Namibia set the tone for the remainder of the evening when he won his fight against Alvin Machingira from Zimbabwe through a technical knockout during the first round.