The boxers at the Vikings Boxing Academy at the Witpoortjie Recreation Centre are showing that hard work always pays off.
According to Phillip du Randt, the club’s head coach, all of the boxers currently training at the club (approximately 50) have shown great improvement in skills and technique, and they are very proud of them.
One of these boxers, the 19-year-old Phumelele Cele, was recently chosen for the Open Boxing League (OBL) Gauteng team, and will be fighting against an opponent from Swaziland. “Phumi participated in the 2016 Youth South African Championships where he won a silver medal, and this year he participated in the Elite South African Championships, but unfortunately did not proceed further than the first round. He also participated with the OBL Gauteng team, and won a silver medal,” Phillip said.
Eight boxers – Winston Kruger, Marno Pretorius, Juan Visser, Phumelele, Andrew Salhab, Andries Kruger, Amehle Msomi and Apelele Msomi – will be participating in the upcoming Southern Giants tournament taking place in Turffontein. This tournament will give them the opportunity showcase their skills as well as win a medal or two.
The club has been in existence since 1951, and was one of the first clubs to use the Witpoortjie Recreation Centre when it opened, making it one of the oldest boxing clubs in Witpoortjie. “We have trained quite a few South African champions, including Martin Jacobs, Johnny Muller and the Mestre brothers. Everyone from the age of four and up, male or female, is welcome to join us – even if you only want to do fitness training, you are welcome,” he said.
He added that, because they are an amateur club, they have to pay for everything themselves. “We are in desperate need of approximately 10 pairs of training gloves, and would appreciate if someone could help us in the form of a donation or sponsorship. We have just received some new punching bags and training mats from an anonymous donor, for which we are very grateful,” said Phillip.
He said that they also had the privilege of gaining five new coaches, who recently graduated. “They all achieved a mark of 80 per cent and more.
All of these coaches will be writing exams again next year, in order to become referees as well as judges,” he said proudly.
Training takes place Monday to Thursday at the Witpoortjie Recreation Hall, from 6pm to 8pm. For more information, contact Phillip on 081 212 9143 or send an email to viking.pdr@gmail.com.
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