Wessel Marais (51) is a kickboxer to be reckoned with.
Although he falls under the master category of the game, he recently fought against someone who was a silver medalist at the world championships.
Wessel fought with broken ribs and was beaten by his much younger competitor by only one point.
He is the owner and sensei of the Combat Zone Kickboxing Club in Springs and is currently teaching almost 60 students.
“I also have a class of 26 students in Eloff who I train twice a week,” he says.
Training and teaching four times a week, Wessel is as fit as a fiddle.
He is currently a third dan and is due to grade for his fourth dan on November 8.
He says it is a very competitive sport, but it teaches you discipline and self respect.
Wessel is not only a teacher in combat sport, he is also the father of a 17-year-old son Ivan Marais who is following in his footsteps.
Father and son train and teach kickboxing at the club.
He stopped doing martial arts for many years, but when Ivan was born he told his wife Lindie he would take up the sport again when Ivan turns 12.
Wessel calls this period his resting period.
But when Ivan showed interest in the sport, Wessel decided to catch up with the game.
When the students are on the mat at the dojo he is their sensei, but off it he becomes a friend to them.
He believes every class should be fruitful, then the discipline level will be higher.
“It keeps the balance,” he says.
His club is currently one of the largest on the East Rand and he intends to keep it that way.
A future plan for father and son is to start another dojo in Bakerton.
He says this will give him the opportunity to train the people in their own surroundings.
The best advice Wessel can give to his students is the five principals of professional combat techniques: integrity, sincerity, discipline, self control and efficiency.
He is proud to say that 27 students from his club will compete in the Alex Tibbot Kickboxing tribute Northern Classics on Friday and Saturday.
Kickboxing classes take place at Springs Old Boys Club on Monday and Wednesday from 6.30pm to 8pm.
