At an age when many teenagers are focused on school and social life, 17-year-old Jacques Roux is balancing the demands of matric alongside the intense world of mixed martial arts.

The Centurion teen and Hoërskool Zwartkop learner recently secured a silver medal in the U/18 division at the South African MMA National Championships, held in Vanderbijlpark on April 30, marking another significant achievement in his growing career.

Representing Gauteng on one of the country’s top amateur MMA stages, Jacques not only finished as the second-best U/18 fighter in South Africa, but also ranked as Gauteng’s top athlete in his division.

However, for this young athlete, the silver medal is just one milestone in a journey that began years ago.

“My journey into combat sports started in primary school. I started training in Thai boxing when I was in Grade 6 during lockdown with my dad for fitness. From there, I got invested in combat sports and watched my first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event with my older brother and cousin. I immediately wanted to watch more and learn about the sport.”

Just three months after starting MMA training, Jacques entered his first grappling competition and won gold.

“That first win was special. From then on, I haven’t stopped competing, and my love for the sport has only grown stronger,” he said.

He credits much of his passion for MMA to his father, a former professional MMA fighter and Thai boxing champion, who inspired him to follow in his footsteps.

Unlike many of his peers who gravitate toward more traditional sports, Jaques found MMA captivating because of its intensity and unpredictability.

Over the years, his involvement in the sport has shaped him in ways that go far beyond physical fitness.

“The sport teaches you humility, resilience, and respect. It made me learn to always be humble because if you’re not, you will get humbled. It taught me to be respectful, even in defeat, and to keep my chin up after a loss. Life will always have tougher battles to fight,” he explained.

This year’s national championships weren’t his first taste of high-level competition. In 2024, he earned a silver medal at the South African National MMA Championships and was selected to compete at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) All-African Championships.

Balancing the demands of competitive sport, academics, and personal life hasn’t been simple for the young athlete, especially as he navigates his matric year.

“Sometimes I have to make sacrifices to fit school, training, and spending time with my friends and family,” he admitted.

“I usually balance everything by going to school first, finishing homework, spending time with loved ones, and then heading to the gym for training.”

Preparing for a competition is no small feat. Jaques explained that his fight camps typically last six to eight weeks and involve intense training.

During school holidays, he trains with professional fighters on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 12:00.

“We usually focus on technique, explosiveness, sparring, and fitness,” he said.

Outside of these camps, his weekly schedule includes MMA wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and striking sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Representing Gauteng at nationals was a defining moment in his journey.

“It was such an honour to represent Gauteng at the highest level of amateur MMA in the country. Winning second place at nationals and first in Gauteng feels unreal, and I’m incredibly happy to be in this position right now.”

Behind his success is a network of family and friends who have supported him every step of the way.

“Without the support of my parents, coaches, brother, cousin, and friends, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve these results. Their belief in me gives me confidence going into every fight,” he said.

His mother, Juanita, fondly recalled her son’s early interest in MMA.

“When he was three years old, he’d put on his father’s MMA gloves and gear, playing around with his dad. By the time he was 12, he started going to the MMA club with his father, and his talent just surfaced,” she shared.

Watching him grow in the sport has been a rewarding experience for Juanita. She noted how MMA has shaped her son into a disciplined, focused, and determined individual.

“MMA has helped Jacques develop so many positive qualities. I’ve seen him grow more confident and resilient in everything he does,” she said.

While balancing school, teenage life, and competitive sport hasn’t always been easy, Juanita remains steadfast in providing her son with stability and guidance.

Despite the nerves that come with watching her son compete, Juanita said her pride outweighs everything else.

“At first, I was nervous, but like any parent, I’ll always be proud of my children, no matter what they achieve. I am so proud of him. I always have been and always will be.”

Jaques told Rekord that he has clear goals for his future.

“I want to become the South African MMA champion in 2027. After that, I plan to complete my university degree and then focus on MMA professionally. My ultimate dream is to compete in the UFC one day.”

His mother hopes he stays grounded as he pursues his ambitions.

“My biggest hope is that he continues to believe in himself, works hard for what he wants, and becomes the best version of himself.”

ALSO READ: Next generation of chess players battle it out

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel