Kickboxing becomes a refuge for youth at Rehoboth, Mariental

With limited recreation centres, programmes and sport facilities, many young boys and girls say ring contact fighting arts clubs at Rehoboth and Mariental have helped to better their lives.

Currently Mariental has 34 students and Rehoboth 32.

Student Elne Kuhn (21) says he joined kickboxing at Mariental when he was 19 years old. He says being part of the club has helped him gain confidence and make new friends.

“I was shy and was not very confident. I also had problems communicating with other people.

“Kickboxing helped me communicate better with people. It helped me to believe in myself. It showed me the importance of standing up for myself,” Kuhn says.

He says kickboxing has helped him control his temper and express his emotions in a positive way.

“In the past whenever I would get angry I did not speak, mainly because I did not know how to express my emotions.

“Joining this club has made me a better person,” Kuhn says.

Another student, Chloe Freyer, says after trying various sport such as netball, and horseback riding, kickboxing is something she has become passionate about.

She says it has helped her think better and be patient.

“Joining this sport was one of the best decisions that I have made thus far. I actually joined kickboxing with the aim to better my hand eye coordination, but it now has become much more than that for me.

“It has helped me become more focused and I am physically stronger.

She says kickboxing made her stop doubting myself and trust her own instincts.

“This sport is not just an ordinary sport, it is also my escape from reality. It is my safe place,” Freyer says.

The founder, sensei Walter Philander (48), says he joined kickboxing when he was 15 years old and it taught him discipline.

“This sport is the key of discipline, confidence and respect as I’m holding a lot of testimonies from students and parents saying how students have changed in different ways.

“The youth needs to be disciplined and this is what our sport does. One can’t perform on international or national level without having discipline, confidence or respect,” Philander says.

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