A Monte Vista father and his two daughters recently competed in a martial arts championship tournament where they raked in several medals.
The Martial Arts of South Africa (Masa) and South African Korean Martial Arts Association (Sakmaa) Western Cape Championship 2025, which took place on Saturday 24 May, was held at the Dutch Reformed Church in Ferndale, Brackenfell.
The tournament, according to the website www.kihapp.com, caters for traditional martial arts as well as any stand-up styles such as non International Olympic Committee (IOC) Kickboxing and Korean Fighting Systems.
Jerome, the proud father, says in total they took home seven gold, two silver and one bronze medal.
He says his daughter Amber (11) performed extremely well. Amber achieved three gold medals and one silver and qualified her for provincial colours. She also won all of her fights and took silver in her pattern demonstration, the father says.
In her final fights, Amber beat more senior and seasoned fighters, he says.
Amber, who attends Monte Vista Primary School, has been practicing Taekwondo for almost one and a half years.
Kiara (13), his older daughter who attends Edgemead High School, also competed.
Kiara also performed extremely well and achieved three gold and one silver medal. She also qualified for her provincial colours. Kiara also won all of her fights and pattern demonstration. In her final fight she beat a 16-year-old seasoned black belt, even though Kiara is only a green stripe, he says.
Kiara has been fighting for two years.
Both daughters also trained in Krav Maga and currently represents Mercury Taekwondo in Cape Town.
Jerome also raked in medals.
“I fought and won, beating former national champions,” he says.
The 45-year-old fought in the 18 to 34 category. “I also qualified to earn provincial colours.”
Jerome, who holds two black belts in Military Martial Arts and Taekwondo, is also a national instructor in ITF Taekwondo. He too represents Mercury Taekwondo under their national and international affiliation of Authentic Centre of Excellence (ACE) from the United Kingdom.
