Benaty Yamile after his first-round knockout in his first international outing.
Image: Supplied
Philippi's Benaty Yamile made a powerful statement over the weekend by securing a first-round knockout victory in his international kickboxing debut.
Competing on foreign soil in Réunion Island, the young K1 athlete represented Mzansi with pride, marking the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable career.
Carrying the South African flag on his shoulders as he made the walk to the ring, Yamile showcased not only his fighting ability but also the strength of the emerging kickboxing scene in SA.
A proud product of Junxion Kickboxing, Yamile is already being seen as one of the most promising kickboxers in the country.
Founded in 2020, Junxion Kickboxing has rapidly developed into a training hub for up-and-coming K1 fighters. What sets the programme apart is its innovative recruitment approach: working directly with schools to identify and nurture young talent.
This school-to-gym pipeline has produced impressive results, with Yamile standing as one of its most inspiring success stories.
Yamile’s journey to Réunion Island was the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and disciplined training. His opponent, Loic Singama, had no answer for his power and precision. Yamile dropped him three times in the opening round, forcing the referee to step in and award him the victory via stoppage. With that, Yamile claimed the Saint Joseph Featherweight Title, a significant milestone in what could become a decorated international career.
The championship tournament featured fighters from several countries including France, Madagascar and the host nation, Réunion Island. Yamile was one of two South Africans selected to participate, earning his spot through a standout performance at the 2024 Ring Contact Fighting Arts International Open Championships in Johannesburg.
Face off before the fight between Loic Singama and Benaty Yamile.
Image: Supplied
At the time of writing, Yamile was still to be formally welcomed back home by his coach, training partners and former school, Nelson Mandela High School in Philippi; his return fitting that of a local hero and an inspiration to young athletes in his community.
Coach Dorothy Cloete, the head of Junxion Kickboxing, expressed immense pride in Yamile’s achievement. “Benaty is a very dedicated, hardworking, and disciplined athlete,” she said.
“He has been training for four years, and the results of his commitment are starting to show. He’s becoming a real role model for young kids in his community.”
With this international triumph, Yamile has not only earned a title but has also begun carving his name into the future of South African kickboxing.