From Tatami to Ring - World Championships

My name is Ben Mostert, and I am a Grade 11 student at SACS. Before attending SACS, I went to van Riebeeckstrand Primary in Melkbosstrand. I started kickboxing at the age of 6 and have trained under Shihan Dave Venter at Elite MMA since then.

I am incredibly proud and excited to have been selected to represent South Africa at the Junior World Kickboxing Championships in Italy this September.

I am currently the South African Champion in the Under 86kg Ring Fighting division, and this will be my very first World Championships competing in ring fighting, something that has always been my biggest dream and long-term goal.

Although I achieved a lot in tatami kickboxing over the years, every achievement was part of the journey towards eventually competing in the ring. I was previously ranked 3rd in the world in tatami and have been a multiple Cape Town, Western Cape, South African and African Champion. 

This year is especially meaningful to me because it will be my final Junior World Championships. I am 16 now and will turn 17 in September, and from...