POLOKWANE – Limpopo Province Kickboxing Academy (LPKA) blue belt student Annelize Broekman (14) has proven that discipline, focus and resilience can take you far in sport and in life.

Broekman, who started kickboxing in early 2021, practices light-contact, points kickboxing, and forms at her dojo. “I will always love kickboxing because I love the discipline it provides me, the fitness and the confidence it gives me. It keeps me strong both physically and mentally. The sport also helped me so much with my schoolwork, always reminding me how to focus and plan ahead,” she said.

She added that through kickboxing she has learned perseverance and the importance of never giving up, even when things get tough. “Kickboxing has also taught me to stay calm and focused during difficult times, no matter what it is.”

Her coach, Shihan Nico Myburgh (Sr), praised her commitment: “Annelize is a dedicated student who has won all tournaments, whether big or small, or even challenging. If you are not up to a good standard you cannot expect to do well. She has competed in several South African World Association of Kickboxing Organisation (WAKO) and Full Contact Martial Arts (FCMA) Kickboxing Championships since she started.

She was also chosen for the Wako Africa Team, where she finished in the top three in almost all tournaments.”

Broekman expressed gratitude to her coach: “Shihan Nico is not always the easiest coach to work with, but that’s because he reminds me to believe in myself and that I am the best”.

For her, kickboxing is more than just a sport. “Kickboxing has taught me self-discipline, confidence and that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. I have not chosen the easiest sport on the planet, but I can say that martial arts in all forms and disciplines have changed my life in many ways.”

Her advice to others considering martial arts is simple: “You just have to decide whether it is for you or not. Once you’ve made up your mind, the hard work begins in order to achieve the goals you set for yourself.”