Stars shine at Thaiholics Day Break
Teenager Nuha Shah once again demonstrated her explosive talent in martials arts over the weekend.
Known primarily for her skills in MMA with a specialisation in jiu-jitsu, Nuha, 16, proved her versatility by making a successful debut in Muay Thai.
The stage for this milestone was set by Thaiholics Promotions at the Sunningdale Sports Complex, where Nuha was one of 22 amateur fighters competing in a packed card.
Nuha's entry into the Muay Thai ring was an exciting one, given her reputation as a formidable fighter in MMA.
Despite the new territory, Nuha displayed exceptional prowess in her stand-up game, taking on another promising Muay Thai competitor, Gabriella van Wyk. Nuha emerged victorious, stopping her opponent in the third round.Reflecting on her performance, Nuha expressed her satisfaction with her debut.
"I feel very happy with my first Muay Thai fight. I was nervous, but I worked hard for this opportunity. Now, I want to focus more on stand-up fights. I want to do everything," she said.
Her eagerness to expand her skill set underscores her potential as a well-rounded martial artist, and earning her the nickname “the humble assassin” in fighting circles.
She is no stranger to high-profile stages in martial arts. Her achievements include competing multiple times at the IMMAF World Championships, where she made history by becoming the first South African to win a gold medal.
Her father, Gaalib Shah, is a proud supporter of her journey. He attributes her success to her relentless work ethic and commitment to the sport.
“She has experience in MMA, but Muay Thai is something different. She trained very hard every day,” Gaalib said.
He referred to the Fat Joe hit song, All the Way Up, saying Nuha is destined for success, with plans to tackle the World Championships again next year.
Training out of Pride Fighting Academy, Nuha benefits from being surrounded by a team of skilled professionals across various martial arts disciplines.
The Thaiholics event, aptly named “Day Break”, has established itself as a significant fixture in South African Muay Thai.
The event featured a total of 11 pro-am and amateur fights, highlighting the growing prominence of Muay Thai in the country. Three professional amateur titles were up for grabs, adding to the excitement and competitive spirit of the day.
In the headline bout, Justin February defended his WMO SA middleweight title against Phillip Cronje. The match was a high-stakes affair, and ultimately, Cronje emerged victorious, securing the title with a stoppage win in the third round.
The Super Lightweight division also featured a thrilling title defence. Michael Bezuidenhout, a rising star from the Ncedo Gomba Fighting team, faced Richard Spagnolo, who travelled from Johannesburg for the fight.
Bezuidenhout successfully defended his WMO SA title with a knockout win, solidifying his reputation as one of the most exciting fighters in his division. After his victory, Bezuidenhout expressed his readiness to advance to the professional ranks.
“I've fought the best at this level, and I believe it's time to take it to the next level,” said Bezuidenhout. His passion for the sport and the support of his team were key factors in his explosive rise.
Another standout performance came from Verne Prinsloo, the defending champion in the female division of the Bantamweight. Prinsloo faced Mine Graaf in the WMO Super Bantamweight SA title fight.
From the outset, Prinsloo displayed her aggressive fighting style, overwhelming Graaf with a barrage of strikes that led to a stoppage win in the first round. Prinsloo, known for her dynamic fighting approach, admitted that the early aggression was not initially planned but was effective in securing the victory.
“I feel amazing. It's the best feeling ever to win and retain the title. I didn’t plan to be that aggressive early on, but I'm happy with the outcome,” she said.
Her performance ensured that the title remained in the Thaiholics gym.The event also featured several notable performances from emerging talents.
Brian Ncube continued to impress with a victory over Likhaya Hansie in the Featherweight division. Ncube's exciting fighting style and dynamic approach entertained the crowd, showcasing the skill and excitement that define Muay Thai.
Matthew Ketteringham of Thaiholics earned a decision win against PFA's Kagiso Manyamala in the Super Middleweight division.
Other results included Dean Grobler's second-round stoppage win over Jordan Eveleigh in Middleweight, Leon Kotze's unanimous decision victory against Dilane Foyang in Heavyweight, Jordan Saaiman’s decision win against Jayden Holmes in Lightweight, and Waldimar Valentyn’s decision victory against Ismaeel Booley.Opening the card were cadets Andrew Naude and Milan Lewis, who set the stage for the day's action with their performances.
Cameron Saaiman, a UFC star and one of the most promising prospects in the premier promotion was also in attendance and gave thumbs up to the work done by Thaiholics for setting up a competitive environment for martial arts.
