Boxing stars on the rise

Five boxers from the Witpoortjie Vikings Boxing Club will be representing the Gauteng province at the South African Championships later this month.

Jared Hensberg, Dawn Deutschmann, Tyler Peters, Leandrè Hester and Phumelele Cele qualified for the national showpiece after competing at the Western Gauteng Trial in Randfontein last month.

Head coach of the club Phillip du Randt was pleased with the success of his boxers at the trials.

“I am happy with how well they performed because they have been working hard towards this goal. This proves that with hard work they can expect great things and going to the championships in Cape Town we are expecting even bigger achievements,” he said.

Although the boxers will be representing the province, Cele was the only one who managed to fight in a match as there was an opponent in his weight division.

He won his match on points, making him a fully fledged representative.

Hensberg, Hester, Deutschmann and Peters were chosen to be part of the team after participating in sparring matches. This then makes them Merit boxers.

Du Randt was chosen to be the manager of the team that will be going down to Cape Town.

“It feels great to know that I am trusted with that kind of responsibility. It shows that association has noticed the efforts I have put into the sport,” he said.

Hensberg, one of the young rising stars from the club and participates in the 60-kilogram division said he was excited to participate in the competition in Cape Town.

“I’m very happy to have made it this far but I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the coach Phillip who’s helped us a lot. So I am truly grateful to him,” he said.

Peters, who competes in the 91-kilogram division said he was also grateful to his coach for helping him reach his goals.

“To represent my province is a wonderful honour but I have to thank coach Phillip for pushing me all the way to get where I am. He has helped us through every step and every hardship,” he said.

Learndrè is the only female boxer from the club who will be in the Gauteng team.

“It feels wonderful and happy to know that I’ll be in the team because I started participating in the sport as just a hobby. I just enjoyed the practice sessions and being fit but now my hobby is taking me to places. It gives me confidence that I can turn professional in the future,” he said.

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