WATCH: It is never too late to join martial arts, says world bronze medalist
“I was waiting for my daughter at her martial arts class four years ago when I decided to join in,” the fighter said
When police boxer Jaques Dicks (48) quit the force in 1999 to work for himself, he probably didn’t think he’d be fighting again anytime soon. But fighting, time would prove, is in this Terenure resident’s blood.
“I was waiting for my daughter at her martial arts class four years ago when I decided to join,” Jaques said.
The rest is history. He has already participated in two world championships and has a row of medals and trophies to prove it.
“I enjoy the sport because it keeps you fit and you get to meet a lot of people,” Jaques said.
In September, he was in Albufeira in Portugal for this year’s World Martial Arts Organisation’s world championships. Last year, a toe injury saw to it that he left with a bronze.
Although he hoped to return home as the world champion this time, he once again won three bronze medals. He made Kempton Park proud in the points fighting and continuous fighting sections.
Jaques’ wife Hester (46) was named the national martial arts team manager and received her national colours.
Hopefully, Jaques won’t stop fighting. He has big shoes to fill, as daughter Ariska (17) already won the world champion title two years ago.
“Between us, she was the better by far,” Jaques laughed. “I just tried to keep up.”
Ariska has since stopped participating. Jaques’ wife Hester (46) said she felt safe with so many fighters in her house, especially now that the martial arts bug has also bitten her youngest daughter.
But the buck doesn’t stop with them. Hester was named the national martial arts team manager and received her national colours for this big task.
“It’s challenging but now it really is a family affair.” For those who would also like to start with martial arts, Jaques said it is never too late. “The youngest member of our SA team is seven and the oldest is 80.”
