Sensia Vince Maree has founded the Brakpan Judokwan at Cosy Corner in Brenthurst, which he is hoping to turn into the biggest judo club in Ekurhuleni.
“We need judo here in Brakpan,” he said.
“I know there are lots of judokas out there hiding in the closet.
“I need to get them to come out of the closest.
“The club is here now, let’s go for it.”
Maree believes that by practising judo, young judokas can use their skills-set to keep bullies at bay.
“The main reason we brought judo back to Brakpan is for the children.
“There is a lot of bullying going on in schools and we need to sort this out.
“It is first and foremost a competitive sport, but it becomes a natural form of self-defence.
“Not only that, but is a good all-round sport.
“It promotes good motor skills and helps with balance.
“The values taught in judo can be used at home and in daily life.”
Maree has been practising judo, which he calls a ‘beautiful sport’, for over 40 years and has achieved a lot.
“I became a Springbok in judo in the late ’80s.
“I placed second in the Asian-Pacific Open Masters in Australia and have twice been a Commonwealth champion.”
Also read: Fight season starts now
He is still holds the Commonwealth u-100kg masters, 50 years old and over title and is heading to India in November to defend his title.
He has a good team of teachers working with him including Emile Oosthuyzen (a multiple South African champion) and Elisha van Blerk (a South African and Commonwealth champion).
“We’ve got the talent here,
“We want to use it and pass it onto our younger judokas.”
For more information on judo, contact Maree on 083 987 7328.
Follow us:
