The Namibia Ring Contact Fighting Arts (RCFA) has qualified for the first ever Ring Contact Fighting Arts International World Championships, set to take place from 3-5 April 2026 in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa.
Namibia will send a team of 57 members, including 36 athletes divided among the National, Invitational and Development teams along with 11 officials.
The athletes and officials have been selected from clubs across Namibia after demonstrating their dedication and fighting spirit. Ingo Oosthuizen said international coordinator for RCFA in Namibia and president of Martial Arts Namibia, qualifying for the RCFAI signifies a historic milestone for Namibia, while reflecting years of dedication and hard work from athletes, coaches and support structures.
“Beyond competition, this achievement highlights the rapid development of the sport within Namibia. It inspires young people to participate in structured martial arts, strengthens local gyms and clubs and increases national awareness and respect for Ring Contact Fighting Arts. This also marks Namibia’s official recognition on the global Ring Contact Fighting Arts stage,” stated Oosthuizen.
Last year, the RCFA represented Namibia at the Jungle War XIII Tournament held in South Africa and collected 209 medals, 98 being silver, 72 gold and 39 bronzes, dominating the tournament and also beating South Africa two years in a row.
After the strong showing at the Jungle War XII and XIII, the athletes have since demonstrated resilience, skill and strong strategic execution.
One could say the performances have significantly boosted the team’s confidence. Oosthuizen described preparations for the World Championships as intensive and disciplined. The athletes have been following structured training cycles focused on strength and conditioning, technical refinement, tactical sparring, speed, endurance and fight strategy to meet international standards.
Going into the Worlds, the team will not only compete for medals but also raise the Namibian flag high, gaining international experience that will strengthen them both technically and mentally for future competitions.