Maqonda Ndlovu
Newly-crowned International Mixed Marshal ARTS (IMMAF) 2023 Africa Division Champion Damian Muller is still processing the news that he is a continental king.
This follows his unanimous decision victory over Angola’s Mafuana Mbungo on Sunday evening.
Speaking to New Era Sport yesterday following his arrival in Namibia on Monday, Muller said the feeling was surreal and unreal as reality was still sinking in.
“Right now, I am still savouring every moment, but I am also keeping in mind that there is a next competition on the horizon. It took a lot of determination, discipline, and consistency,” he said.
Muller said he had to juggle his eight to five job with training, as he was in camp for three months, where they trained twice a day for two hours each session.
“It took me waking up in ungodly hours to train while also performing my duties at work. We had to go onto a diet, which was tough, so as to fall in our weight category,” he explained.
Muller added that during this whole period, he learned a lot about himself as a person and fighter.
His next focus is the world championships scheduled for Albania in November, and he is set to resume training on Monday.
The newly-crowned African Flyweight king said that as a team, they performed well in Angola.
“Unfortunately, Veja Hinda could not defend his title, as he lost to a local fighter on points to settle for a silver medal while Geraldo Bok brought home a bronze medal,” he said.
As for Muller, he had a bye in the first round before winning his fight in round two via a rear-neck choke in his second fight.
He then won the championship match via unanimous decision after an intense three-round battle.
His coach, Carlos da Sousa, said the trip was a success, even though he expected more from his team.
“The boys gave me their best; they applied themselves well, and I couldn’t ask for more. We had to make a painful decision as one of our fighters had to forfeit his match because he was going to face his training mate and partner,” he said.
De Sousa said that next year, there will be a lot of MMA action in Namibia, as there is the potential to host two major events, including the world championships.
Namibia collected one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal to take second place overall behind host Angola, who scooped 10 gold, six silver, and five bronze medals.