Angela de Graaf
PUTTEN During the kickboxing match 'Warriors Today' in Stadskanaal, the kickboxing world was introduced to a newcomer from Putten. John van den Broek boxed his second match there last Saturday. He defeated his opponent by technical knockout. High time to get to know this fanatic sports fanatic.
John van den Broek is 22 years old and in daily life he works at B&R Coatings in Putten. Five years ago, his passion for kickboxing was created by his new neighbor at the time: ,Aalt Petersen, owner of the Sports Center Putten, came to live next door to me and he immediately made me enthusiastic to participate in kickfun. I just found kickboxing much more interesting than kick fun and that's why I eventually started practicing this sport.' Van den Broek has been kickboxing for five years now. The first three years he trained in pits and now he has been under the care of trainer John Kuipers at Nakama gym in Harderwijk for two years. He trains there at least four times a week and currently plays in the Novices 95+ class.
KICKBOXING Kickboxing is, according to Van den Broek, a combination of traditional boxing techniques and leg techniques from other martial arts: ,In kickboxing we use our fists, our feet and our shins. The fist techniques are just like in English boxing and the leg techniques come from the karate world. In addition, on the outside of the thigh, of the kickboxer, only the circular kick is allowed.' All other techniques should hit above the belt during kickboxing. Techniques to the back or joints are prohibited in kickboxing, just like knees and elbows.
CHALLENGE Kickboxing is a physically very demanding sport and demands a lot from someone's motor skills. According to Van den Broek, it is a dynamic and challenging sport in which he can lose all his energy: ,The physical and physical challenge makes my sport special. You train together with your team and trainer for a match and in the end you have to do it in the ring yourself.' Van den Broek boxed his first match in February last year and his second match was scheduled for Saturday: ,,It could have been my fourth match, but unfortunately my opponents had canceled the matches in Amsterdam and Hamburg.'
EXHAUST VALVE A good condition and stamina are a must in kickboxing. The training is therefore aimed, among other things, at improving muscle strength and endurance. Yet, according to Van den Broek, the sport is more than just sportsmanship: 'Kickboxing can really act as an outlet for me. You really give everything to achieve a certain performance and because of that you sometimes have to break down. This subsequently results in a very satisfied feeling!'
