Skilled White River kick-boxer crowned one of world’s best

After a tough battle in Prague, one of the town’s most proficient kick-boxers took the title of World Light Contact Heavyweight Champion. Linda van Staden took part in the World Kickboxing Federation’s world championships on November 15 as part of the South African team. They placed seventh out of 43 countries due to a sterling performance by the fighters.

Van Staden says she feels very blessed and honoured to have won. She’s been preparing for an opportunity like the world championships since 2012. When she won the SAs in 2012 she knew that she had a chance to take on fighters from around the world. “It takes a lot of time and hard work to be chosen for the national team,” she remarked.

Taking part in such an event was an indescribable experience, which gives you a very huge psychological boost, the fighter says. “The international standards are also very high.”

Van Staden says they only had one day to explore the beautiful city of Prague and spent the rest of the time in the Sparta arena, where the tournament took place. A friend, Marlize Spreeth, joined her for the trip and provided moral support in place of her husband, who wasn’t able to attend.

This is not Van Staden’s first international event. She took part in the Irish Open in 2012 and placed third in her category.

Although her year ended with such a major highlight, Van Staden says this year was filled with many great things. She took part in the national championships in Pretoria and also participated in White River’s First Fight Nite.

The fighter’s next goal is to take part in the SA Sport Combat’s national championships. If she qualifies for the national team, she wants to give her all at the WTKA Unified World Championships next year. She’d also like to defend her gold at the World Kickboxing Federation’s world championships in 2016.

To keep in tiptop shape, she joins the Leggogote Villagers Running Club for a run each morning, does an hour’s fitness training at White River Women’s Bootcamp and practises at the White River Kickboxing Club two to three times a week.

Her family, friends and fellow kick-boxers are very proud of her achievement and continually supports and motivates her. They all work hard together and know what it takes to reach the gold.

Van Staden would like to thank all her friends, family and every business who have supported her. “Without great motivation and support it would have been very difficult to grab the opportunity,” she says. The fighter strives to be an example to everyone around her and says people should maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“Everyone has received talents from God and we should use and enjoy it to the fullest. Sometimes you don’t know what your talent is, but if you start doing something, you might just discover it. Do your best and Jesus will do the rest.”