Teen fighter strikes her way to the top

Melkbosstrand High pupil Jodie van der Walt will be among the promising mixed martial artists (MMA) taking part in the first Barebones MMA Championship this weekend.

Jodie, 15, is no stranger to MMA competition, having won gold at the National Championships in Durban this year. That victory saw her booking a ticket to the IMMAF Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi in August.

The Barebones Championships will be taking place at Melkbosstrand High School so Jodie, who started martial arts in 2020, will be competing in familiar territory.

This event is a unique opportunity for her to improve her self-discipline and confidence, and test her skills just weeks before the World Championships. Competing on home ground is likely to give her an added boost, as she prepares for one of the biggest stages in youth MMA.

The championships are spearheaded by Lyndall Sandenbergh, whose dedication to amateur MMA has seen her in charge of competitions like Cape Town Grassroots while also doubling as a South African coach in the junior set-up.

This particular event is a dedication to her late husband, Mec.

“Mec's fight system was called Barebones, emphasising the fundamentals of fighting. To him, Barebones meant focusing on what's most important in fighting. My philosophy is that our athletes come first, followed by the integrity and promotion of the sport. When MMA grows, we all benefit.”

Sandenbergh adds that the Barebones MMA Championship promises to be a thrilling event featuring a series of match-ups and title eliminators. The event aims to provide a platform for amateur fighters to gain valuable experience and exposure, helping to bridge the gap between grassroots and professional levels of the sport.

For details about the Barebones MMA Championships, contact Sandenbergh on 072 977 0234.