Meet the Northcliff High School teen taking SA wrestling by storm
Caleb Swart didn't take up wrestling to become a champion, but four years later, he's standing on top of the national podium
Four years ago, Caleb Swart stepped onto a wrestling mat, simply to become a better mixed martial artist.
Today, he stands as a South African wrestling champion, proving that relentless hard work, fearless determination, and unwavering self-belief can transform a newcomer into one of the country’s brightest young combat sport athletes.
Winning gold at the South African National Wrestling Championships was a proud milestone, but for Caleb it was never the finish line. “It always feels amazing to compete in high-level tournaments and come out on top. I don’t usually dwell on it much though, because my next goal is coming up soon and the work needs to continue.”
That next goal is already looming large. Gold at the national championships secured his place at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships in Cape Town later this year, while in August he will represent South Africa at the Mixed Martial Arts World Championships in Abu Dhabi.
Caleb’s wrestling journey began with a different dream. Watching the world’s top Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) athletes convinced him that wrestling was essential for success in mixed martial arts. “I initially started wrestling to improve my takedowns and have more options in the MMA cage, but I loved it from the beginning. It’s extremely physical and tough, which I really enjoy.
“I like the physical impact of takedowns and being able to be explosive. Wrestlers have to be physically and mentally tough. Endurance is everything.”
Now a Grade 11 learner at Northcliff High School, Caleb balances school with a training schedule that would test even seasoned athletes. Six days a week he trains between five and six hours a day, beginning before sunrise with early morning sessions before school, followed by afternoon and evening training in wrestling, mixed martial arts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, strength work, and conditioning. “If I have to miss a training session, I don’t feel happy that I get a break – I get upset.”
That mindset has been at the core of his rise through the sport. Although he entered wrestling later than many competitors, Caleb never allowed that to become an excuse. “Everyone seemed much tougher and fitter than me, and I sometimes thought I’d never catch up, but I put my head down and worked hard to meet – and then exceed – the level everyone else had set.
“When I compete, the noise and nerves go quiet. I just feel in the zone. I know I have a job to do and I’m going to do it well.”
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One of his toughest tests at the national championships came against a two-time South African champion. “People kept telling me how good he was, but I didn’t let it get to me. I just stayed focused on what I needed to achieve.” The strategy paid off. Caleb dominated the tournament, conceding just a single point throughout the competition, and even that came after accidentally stepping off the mat.
Behind every champion is a dedicated support system, and Caleb is quick to credit his family, coaches, and teammates. His father, Wiekus Swart, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and respected coach, introduced him to martial arts from birth, while his mother, Monique, has watched his determination turn into remarkable success. “I actually believe he could become a South African champion,” she said. “His single-mindedness is what impresses me most. Once he decides to achieve something, nothing will stop him.”
She said the family’s sacrifices, from travel and specialised equipment to countless hours supporting his training, have all been worthwhile. “There is a lot of financial and time commitment, but we’re behind him every step of the way.”
Caleb also credits coaches Dean van Zyl, of Ruiter Wrestling Club, together with Jan and Rudi Roets, from Polokwane Wrestling Club, for helping shape him into the wrestler he has become. Beyond medals, wrestling has taught him lessons that reach far beyond competition. “Your opponent is your enemy during the match, but afterwards there’s huge respect because you both know what you’ve put your bodies through.”
It has also reinforced a philosophy he now lives by. “The only way to lose is to give up.”
That mentality now drives his ambitions beyond South Africa. His immediate focus is winning gold for South Africa at the MMA World Championships before chasing another title at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships in December. Beyond that, he has his sights firmly set on becoming an African wrestling champion.
For young athletes considering wrestling, Caleb offers a realistic but encouraging message. “You’ll get beaten up regularly and you’ll be bruised and sore, but that’s how you get better. Stick with it and you’ll soon see your progress.”
With a national title already around his neck and international competition awaiting, Caleb Swart’s journey is proving that champions are not simply born; they are built… One training session, one sacrifice, and one victory at a time.
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