SELF-DISCIPLINE, natural skill, rhythm, good footwork and mental toughness are all characteristics that Tyler Wolmarans has in abundance.

The 13-year-old put those skills to the test at the South African National Boxing Organisation (SANABO) Cadets and Juniors Championships in October.

Wolmarans won a gold medal for KZN at the champs in the Cadet Division and won his fight by unanimous decision against his Eastern Cape opponent at the event in Rustenburg.

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The Grade Eight learner at Northwood School spoke to Northglen News about the lead-up to his gold medal match.
Heart of a fighter

“This was my first time competing at the national champs and my goal going into the bout was to podium. I knew if I lost that I would have lost to the better man because I trained extremely hard for this fight. I went through an intense training camp with my coaches, including my dad and uncle. It was a competitive fight and that helped me focus on my strengths. I was incredibly proud of my achievement as boxing is something I see in my future,” he said.

His training camp involved running several 5km runs at 03:15 while also doing training in the afternoon, which included bag work, sparring, conditioning work and shadow boxing at the Knucklegame Boxing Academy.

“Boxing is something in my blood as my entire family is involved. That has also been a contributing factor to my success, they are always there to help me. I don’t think everyone has the heart to be punched in the face and keep moving forward. Boxing has made me a more determined person. My ultimate goal is to become a professional as boxing is everything to me,” he said.

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