Young fighter turns setback into strength

“DUE to a head injury from a car accident, doctors told me I would never be able to do sport such as kickboxing. However, today I have won many awards doing this sport,” Gustavo van Wyk (16) from Ring Contact Fighting Arts clubs at Rehoboth says.

Van Wyk was involved in a car accident when he was two years old.

“After the accident my head was swollen on the left side and my left eye could not open at times,” he recalls.

Van Wyk says he enjoys kickboxing because of the discipline it comes with. He says over the years he noticed that kickboxing has helped change his mindset and improve his health.

“It was hard when my father told me I won’t be able to do full contact fights because of the risk of getting a full blow to the head. It really hurts to hear that while aiming to be a MMA/UFC fighter,” he says. “I talked with my father who is also my coach and asked if I could work on my head movements to become fast in moving around. We cut a deal and I started.”

Van Wyk says this year he had two full contact fights abroad and won both of them. He adds that kickboxing has taught him to stand his ground.

He says he started kickboxing at the age of nine. His brother, Volkry, introduced him to the sport. Van Wyk says sport is very important and urges the public to partake in one they are passionate about.

During this journey so far, Van Wyk says he has won gold and silver medals, and a trophy.

“I would like to encourage people, especially the youth, to start with a sport like kickboxing. This is where you start seeing the real you and what you are capable of,” he says.

“I also love to play soccer, but one thing I learnt is that soccer takes 11 people to win, meaning you always depend on somebody else. You won’t work as hard knowing you have backup. In kickboxing you learn to stand alone in that ring.

“Yes, you are alone on that titanium. In life it is important to learn to be alone because there will come a time when you will have no one around you, then you will know to stand your ground alone in a disciplined and focused way,” Van Wyk says.

A supporter of Van Wyk’s, Sean Britz, says his victory story as a kickboxer has inspired him to also follow his dreams.

“Van Wyk said having an injury does not mean you can’t do anything, you just have to work with it. His determination to always do his best everyday and to never give up no matter the challenges is encouraging for me,” Britz says.

He says Van Wyk inspired him to do what he is passionate about.

“Often we as people shy away from what we like to do because it is difficult, but Van Wyk has taught me that doing what you want to do is the best way to live a fulfilling and happy life. I am proud of him and wish him well in the future.”

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