South Sudanese athlete James Majok Gau has advanced to the final of the World Muay Thai Championship in Pattaya, Thailand, after defeating Dutch contender Joel Westerlink by knockout on Tuesday.
The tournament, running since 4 March, features competitors from 16 nations: Algeria, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Iran, Italy, Latvia, Myanmar, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Russia, South Sudan, Spain, and Thailand.
South Sudan’s delegation includes Abednego Thon (known as “Wizzy”), Stephen Okony (“Sky”), and Majok. Both Majok and Okony have secured places in the finals, with a chance to claim championship belts or silver medals. Thon, eliminated earlier in the competition, earned a silver medal in his category.
Puro Okello Obob, president of the South Sudan Kickboxing Federation (SSKF) and head coach, expressed pride in the team’s historic achievement: “It wasn’t easy facing a young Dutch fighter, but we capitalised on his weaknesses. Majok secured a knockout in the second round.” He added, “Having two fighters in the finals is a triumph. A win brings the belt; a loss still earns silver.”
Obob voiced optimism about securing “two championship belts for Africa,” the sport’s highest accolade.
Okony will face the Philippines’ Mark John Lloyd in a highly anticipated final on Saturday, while Majok awaits the winner of Friday’s semi-final between Russia and Iran.
“Majok and I are proud to represent Africa at this level,” Okony told Radio Tamazuj. “We aim to showcase South Sudan’s growing talent in martial arts.”
The World Muay Thai Championship, a premier event in the combat sport, highlights the discipline’s traditional techniques, which utilise fists, elbows, knees, and shins.
South Sudan, independent since 2011, has increasingly embraced Muay Thai as part of efforts to build its sporting profile globally.