Dicks wins three bronze medals at WMO World Championships
'I’ll see you at Isle of Man next year,” said Dicks to his opponent after placing third for continuous fighting due to an injury, again.
“I was fighting for second place and was in the lead by far, that was when I got this,” said Jaques Dicks (49) as he pointed to his injured right knee.
Dicks received three bronze medals for creative weapons, semi-contact and continuous fighting respectively at the World Martial Arts Organisation (WMO) World Championships in Blackpool, United Kingdom, early in November.
Dicks was unfortunately pushed in the fight against his arch-rival in round three and his leg got caught underneath the referee’s chair with only seconds remaining on the clock.
“My knee popped out and I was disqualified in those last 20 seconds, which was all I needed to win,” said Dicks.
He tore all the ligaments underneath his right kneecap but was still proud of his placements.
“In previously said how thrilled I would be to get placed in the top 10 for creative weapons. I nearly placed second in that category. I looked at the videos again and realised I touched the blade, which made me lose points and, sadly, it was the first time I had ever done that.
“I originally thought I was fifth, so when I realised I actually came third, that was as good as gold.”
Regarding the tournament overall, Dicks said the intensity of the 2019 championships was palpable and the fighters, in general, were ferocious.
“We had our hands full but overall South Africa did very well.
“Our 17 competitors brought home at least 50 medals, all placing between first and third places,” said Dicks proudly.
