Freddie Harmse (63), better known as Mr Wrestling in the ring, is fighting his toughest opponent – stage four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Krugersdorp News reports that Harmse is the oldest active wrestler in South Africa, with 23 years’ experience, and the news of his cancer has sent shockwaves through the wrestling community.

He is a beloved figure known for his incredible talent, larger-than-life persona and his anti-bullying campaigns in schools.

“I come from a family of boxers and wrestlers. I started my career as a bodybuilder and also did martial arts, and I finally got into wrestling, where I found my passion and comfort,” he says.

Within three years in the sport, Mr Wrestling was already an all-Africa champion and started travelling all over the world, fighting the best of the best World Wrestling Entertainment superstars. He is also the longest reigning heavyweight champion and is admired across India and South Africa.

A few months ago, Harmse started feeling a sharp pain in his groin and, when it got worse, he went to see a doctor. It was confirmed that he has cancer.

“Within 30 days after that, everything was put on hold, and my biggest fight started. I was set to go defend my title in the Wrestle Monster Seven on May 18, but I’m unable to.”

Due to his diagnosis, Mr Wrestling will be relinquishing his heavyweight championship to focus on his health and begin treatment.

This means this title will be vacant, and other wrestlers can apply to fight for it until a new champion is found.

“Once I feel better, I will defend my title, and I will also continue with the anti-bullying campaign.

“Bullying is a dream killer, and I encourage children to be better people and turn them into great leaders.”

According to Mark Beale, the CEO of the World Association of Wrestling and Loyiso Events, the anti-bullying campaign began in 2015, and Mr Wrestling is one of its inspirational motivational speakers.

“The project takes a moral regeneration message to scholars from grades one to 12, and Mr Wrestling has been part of it since we started.

“We focus on the message of anti-bullying, drugs, teenage pregnancies and gangsterism.

“We have done many schools in the West Rand [Florida, Krugersdorp, Randfontein], East Rand and Tshwane.

“The campaign is a team effort with 15 members, and Mr Wrestling is one of the key speakers. His absence is deeply felt, but the school visits are ongoing. When he recovers, he’ll seamlessly return to his role,” he says.

While Mr Wrestling has medical insurance, many of his expenses are not covered. To support him during this challenging time, his sister – who is also his caregiver – has started a BackaBuddy campaign, inviting family, friends and the community to contribute to help cover his medical costs.

“I go to chemo every two weeks, and I have been fighting it well.

“However, the medical costs will get too much as time goes by because my main source of income, which was wrestling and the anti-bullying campaign, has been put on hold. I also need to pay my sister as she is my full-time caregiver,” he said.

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