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The inaugural Coast Cage Series drew a sold-out crowd to the Ōrewa Arts & Events Centre on July 18, with 40 competitors stepping into the cage for an evening of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, K1 kickboxing and mixed martial arts action.
The event, the first combat sports showcase of its kind on the Hibiscus Coast, featured K1 kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu superfights, mixed martial arts bouts and the finale of Coast Academy’s ALTA development programme.
Athletes representing clubs from across the Hibiscus Coast and wider New Zealand competed, including Coast Academy, HBC MMA, City Kickboxing, Shinobi, Shuriken, Whakatāne MMA, Coromandel BJJ, Daredevil Jiu Jitsu, Kings Academy, Ochiba, Resolve BJJ and Unity MMA.
Coast Academy organiser Matt O’Dea said the strong community support had exceeded expectations.
“To sell out our very first Coast Cage Series event is something we’re incredibly proud of, and it’s given us great confidence to continue building opportunities for combat sports athletes here on the Hibiscus Coast,” he said.
Director of Coast Academy, Dawn Bethell O’Dea, says that the night had many memorable moments in and out of the ring.
Among the local competitors was 17-year-old James Cheshire from HBC MMA, who celebrated a victory in his first-ever fight. Additionally, a father-and-daughter pair, Ali Farzaneh, 49, and 17-year-old Tiyana Farzaneh. After joining Coast Academy’s 20-week ALTA programme with no previous combat sports experience, both stepped into the cage for their debut bouts, holding their own against experienced opponents.
Following the event, registrations have opened for Coast Academy’s ALTA Season 2, a 20-week mixed martial arts development programme beginning later this month. The programme is designed for people with little or no experience who want to develop their skills, improve their fitness and work towards competing.
Organisers have also confirmed Coast Cage Series 2 will be held on December 5, bringing another evening of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, K1 kickboxing and mixed martial arts competition to the Hibiscus Coast.
