Jannie Calitz has devoted his life to teaching martial arts
He specialises in capoeira, mixed martial arts (MMA) and wing chun kung fu fighting styles
POLOKWANE – 27-year-old martial arts instructor and former MMA cage fighter, Jannie Calitz, runs his own studio Hishi Wing Chun Kung Fu at the Bet Shalom Church in Polokwane.
He devoted his life to perfecting his martial arts skills after being a victim of bullying in high school. “When I was in Gr 10, I was bullied and badly beaten and I swore to myself that I would never let it happen again and I decided to do something about it. I went for martial arts training after high school and never looked back,” Calitz explains.
“To me, martial arts is not just a hobby, it is a way of life and there is nothing I would rather be doing”
The Hishi Wing Chun Kung Fu Club is open to the public. Calitz says students study a range of martial arts at his studio, including tai chi and fujian white crane kung fu.
Calitz says it is important for people to be able to protect themselves. “It is very important, especially for women and children, because they are the most vulnerable. Knowing how to defend themselves is imperative for their survival.”
He trains people of all ages and his students are divided into junior and senior categories. According to Calitz, additional benefits of martial arts include self control, mental awareness and physical strength.
“It is not just about being physically strong, it helps you with cognitive abilities as well. I have noticed that with my younger students it helps them academically and with their anger issues,” Calitz concludes.
