Secunda kickboxer has title fight in his sights
Achieving his second Dan is just the first rung in his goal ladder for 2019
SECUNDA – Kickboxing sensei Armandus van Rooyen (36) achieved his second Dan black belt in this sport last Saturday, 12 January.
He graduated to this level after a gruelling seven-hour session of rigorous fitness, sparring endurance and technique testing by Kancho Alex Tebbutt, a ninth Dan kickboxing and martial arts expert.
Van Rooyen shared the day’s trials in Springs with four other members of the Mighty Warriors Kickboxing Clubs who hailed for different parts of the country.
He was the only fighter from Mpumalanga.
The Mighty Warriors Club is affiliated to the World All-star Kickboxing Organisation (Wako) and consists of 16 branches countrywide that promote a specific style named True Combat.
This style, and in fact the first Mighty Warrior Club, originated in Vanderbijlpark when Van Rooyen and his head instructor, Shihan Stefan Brown, opened their own dojo in 2008.
This was the same year in which Van Rooyen obtained his black belt first Dan.
This boilermaker by trade was born and bred in Sasolburg.
He joined a kickboxing club in 2004 and the sport became an integral part of his life.
He quit kickboxing for about three years, due to a change of work and those responsibilities, the arrival of his two boys, Ziando (4) and Declan (2), and relocating to Secunda about two years ago.
“The longing to return to the sport and the ring was just too great. I began a Mighty Warriors Club in Secunda last year,” said Van Rooyen.
He initially used the hall at Davies Court, but has since moved to the dojo that belongs to the Victory Taekwondo Centre in Archimedes Street where he gives kickboxing classes at night on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Although he enjoys other forms of combat sport such as boxing, mixed martial arts, wrestling and all forms of martial arts, Van Rooyen prefers the standing style of combining boxing with legwork and kicks.
“I think this is a cleaner style of combat.”
Van Rooyen is qualified to be an instructor, referee and judge at kickboxing tournaments. Achieving his second Dan is just the first rung in his goal ladder for 2019.
Van Rooyen, who has competed in numerous provincial and national championships, will be representing Mpumalanga at the South African Kickboxing Championship to be held in Oudtshoorn from 26 to 28 April.
If he excels at this event, he will qualify to represent South Africa at the World Championship.
“I aim to secure a title fight before the end of this year, but I must first add several wins to my name before I can challenge a title belt holder.”
Van Rooyen trains daily, not only at the dojo but also at home, where he enjoys spending most of his free time.
“I am a family man and I enjoy family life and raising my kids.”
For more information about the kickboxing classes, contact him at 078 041 0322.
