Strong showings at ‘Tatami Titans’ in Swakop
Martial arts
Fighters from the Khomas and Erongo regions gathered at the Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre on Saturday for the Tatami Titans 2025 tournament, hosted by Swakopmund Fight Club.
The full-day event featured both kickboxing and jiu-jitsu competitions, drawing juniors and seniors.
Disciplines contested included point fighting, light contact and full contact in kickboxing, and gi and no-gi categories in jiu-jitsu. Gi or no-gi refers to the categories where grips to the uniform is allowed, or not allowed.
According to event organiser Jacky Sass, the aim was to grow public understanding and appreciation for combat sports.
“This is not about getting into a cage and blood and teeth. It’s about discipline and technique. It’s a proper sport, governed by international rules,” she said.
In the jiu-jitsu no-gi division, Liam Blaauw took top honours in the junior 70-80 kg category, while Armindo Cardoso dominated the senior 60-70 kg class with a win by armbar submission. In the senior heavyweight bracket, Oliver Jooste emerged as champion with victories by rear naked choke and on points.
The gi section saw Lorcan McKay take gold by walkover in the junior 30-40 kg category. Mwala Mubita won the junior 50-80 kg class after finishing his matches with a triangle and an armbar submission, respectively.
Armindo Cardoso continued his winning streak in the gi senior 60-80 kg class with a collar choke, and Oliver Jooste once again secured gold in the senior 70-110 kg category with a strong points and submission showing.
Kickboxers
The kickboxing department saw fierce competition across all contact levels.
Taleila Sass won gold in both the female junior point fighting and light contact divisions. Giandre Potgieter mirrored that result in the male junior divisions, also taking first place in both point fighting and light contact.
In the male senior point fighting bracket, Nathan Oppermann claimed victory, while Gilberto Lucas came out on top in the light contact senior class.
Full-contact kickboxing proved to be one of the event’s highlights, with Ryan Roux taking gold in his senior bout. In another senior full contact match-up, Laurent Prieur secured first place.
“The no-gi jiu-jitsu division really tested the fighters. Without the uniform, there’s no margin for error in technique. And in full contact kickboxing, the seniors really brought intensity and experience to the mat,” Sass noted.
Swakopmund Fight Club, now more than a decade in operation, continues to grow its kickboxing and jiu-jitsu programmes. The event welcomed fighters from as young as eight to over 45.
“Saturday was full of excitement,” Sass added. “We had newcomers, seasoned fighters, and medals on the line. It was a friendly, open tournament, but the level of competition was high.”
Looking ahead, Sass said the attention now turns to the Namib War III event scheduled for July.
The full-day event featured both kickboxing and jiu-jitsu competitions, drawing juniors and seniors.
Disciplines contested included point fighting, light contact and full contact in kickboxing, and gi and no-gi categories in jiu-jitsu. Gi or no-gi refers to the categories where grips to the uniform is allowed, or not allowed.
According to event organiser Jacky Sass, the aim was to grow public understanding and appreciation for combat sports.
“This is not about getting into a cage and blood and teeth. It’s about discipline and technique. It’s a proper sport, governed by international rules,” she said.
In the jiu-jitsu no-gi division, Liam Blaauw took top honours in the junior 70-80 kg category, while Armindo Cardoso dominated the senior 60-70 kg class with a win by armbar submission. In the senior heavyweight bracket, Oliver Jooste emerged as champion with victories by rear naked choke and on points.
The gi section saw Lorcan McKay take gold by walkover in the junior 30-40 kg category. Mwala Mubita won the junior 50-80 kg class after finishing his matches with a triangle and an armbar submission, respectively.
Armindo Cardoso continued his winning streak in the gi senior 60-80 kg class with a collar choke, and Oliver Jooste once again secured gold in the senior 70-110 kg category with a strong points and submission showing.
Kickboxers
The kickboxing department saw fierce competition across all contact levels.
Taleila Sass won gold in both the female junior point fighting and light contact divisions. Giandre Potgieter mirrored that result in the male junior divisions, also taking first place in both point fighting and light contact.
In the male senior point fighting bracket, Nathan Oppermann claimed victory, while Gilberto Lucas came out on top in the light contact senior class.
Full-contact kickboxing proved to be one of the event’s highlights, with Ryan Roux taking gold in his senior bout. In another senior full contact match-up, Laurent Prieur secured first place.
“The no-gi jiu-jitsu division really tested the fighters. Without the uniform, there’s no margin for error in technique. And in full contact kickboxing, the seniors really brought intensity and experience to the mat,” Sass noted.
Swakopmund Fight Club, now more than a decade in operation, continues to grow its kickboxing and jiu-jitsu programmes. The event welcomed fighters from as young as eight to over 45.
“Saturday was full of excitement,” Sass added. “We had newcomers, seasoned fighters, and medals on the line. It was a friendly, open tournament, but the level of competition was high.”
Looking ahead, Sass said the attention now turns to the Namib War III event scheduled for July.
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