House of Tinkerbell (HOT) lightweight mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Marcel Els says he was first introduced to MMA when he took his younger brother to training sessions.
His brother, Werner Els, wanted to take up the sport and Marcel introduced him to MMA coach JP Kruger, Marcel’s childhood friend.
“It looked quite interesting, so I joined him and I have loved it ever since,” says Marcel.
Marcel says he loves the technicality of the sport and how many styles of fighting go into becoming successful and how it also demands a strong mentality to be successful.
“When you get into the ring you have to remove yourself from the world and just focus on fighting as well as you can.”
His big break in his career came when he was chosen to represent South Africa at the Extreme Fighting
Championship (EFC) competition in 2015 at the Sun Arena at Time Square Casino in Pretoria.
The lightweight fighter also coaches younger fighters at HOT, but says his main focus is on getting back in the ring and winning fights.
The lockdown has affected many athletes and most gyms are closed, but that has not stopped Marcel from maintaining his fitness and strength.
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To maintain his fitness, Marcel has been doing push ups, sit ups and other exercises at home.
“Even if you don’t have a gym in your house, there are plenty of ways to keep fit at home if you know what you are doing.”
He says MMA has changed his life for the better in countless ways, and says it is a sport that everyone should try and get involved in.
“I tell people to just try it out.
“You won’t know if you like it if you haven’t tried it, and it will take time and effort to reach a level where you can do well and win fights and become the fighter you want to become.”
He hopes to remain pro for as long as possible and wants to make his country, coaches and gym proud on the global stage.
Also read: MMA coach wants his students to become best versions of themselves
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