Watch Tyron show off his mixed martial arts skills and see why you should help send him overseas
Local business owner Jacques van Wyk challenges businesses and the community to sponsor Tyron Stevens.
Young Tyron Stevens (13) has all the right techniques and they have earned him the chance of competing in a top competition overseas.
The Afrikaanse Hoërskool Germiston learner and student at Tebbutt’s Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Lambton will be jetting off to the US Open ISKA World Martial Arts Championships in Orlando, Florida, USA if and only if he raises the funds.
The Delville resident will be competing in point fighting, continuous fighting, traditional kata, musical weapons, kumite and traditional weapons.
The competition, which takes place in July, will see over 5 000 competitors from 52 countries competing.
Tyron, a junior black belt, will compete in the black belt 36kg division.
He has been learning mixed martial arts for five years.
His trainer, Kanchu Alex Tebbutt, told the GCN that Tyron has great talent.
“He trains at the right club and he is going to bring the medals back to South Africa,” Tebbutt said.
Tyron’s parents, Cindy and Danny, are extremely proud of him and think he will do well overseas.
The only problem, Cindy said, is finding the funds to send him to compete, as he needs R50 000 to cover all of the costs of the trip.
He will be travelling with fellow club member Christina Pretorius, who will also be competing at the event and will act as his chaperone.
“We prayed and the members of our church prayed that somehow we would find the funds as this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Cindy said.
Shortly after the prayers, Jacques van Wyk, the owner of Pick n Pay Lambton and Pick n Pay Hazel Park, heard of Tyron’s opportunity and got involved.
He has sponsored the R5 000 which was needed for Tyron to secure his place, and has donated a whole sheep to Tyron’s school which will be used as a raffle prize to raise funds for Tyron’s trip.
“I challenge all other local businesses and the community to get involved and help send Tyron to America,” van Wyk said.
“If everyone gets involved we will soon raise enough.”
Tyron is extremely excited about the trip.
“It will be the first time I have been in an airplane, but the most exciting part for me is competing there and winning,” Tyron said.
And Tyron is dedicated to winning.
He trains every day from Monday to Thursday, as well as on Saturday mornings.
When he is not at training he enjoys playing rugby and doing things outside.
The Grade Eight learner said that so far high school was quite “lekker” and his friends at school wish him luck in the competition.
“I am going to continue to train and further myself in mixed martial arts,” Tyron said.
“One day I want to open my own dojo – but I will do this for fun and to raise money for people, as I also want to study to become an electronic engineer.”
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Tyron needs to raise the money by the end of April and said he is looking forward to holding South Africa’s name up high at the event.
If you want to help Tyron get to America you can donate directly into the bank account set up for him.
The banking details are as follows: Mr T L Stevens; Absa account number: 93-3350-5958; account type: savings; branch: Lambton Court; branch code: 632005.
Alternatively contact Cindy on 072 257 2159.
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