At only 18 years old, kickboxing referee Corlea Grobler is taking on the world after being asked to ref at the World Championship in Budapest, Hungary!
Hartebeespoort, South Africa (09 August 2024) — Young South African kickboxing referee and powerhouse Corlea Grobler is preparing to ref her very first international competition after kickboxing president Aslam Mohamed asked her if she would lend her eagle eyes to the WAKO Youth World Championship in Budapest, Hungary!
A talented kickboxer herself, Corlea started training to become a female fighter when she was 15. In a matter of 3 months, she earned silver in three categories at the South African Championship. A year later, she took no prisoners and a sweeping gold in point fighting.
However, she soon fell in love with another part of the sport, and it wasn’t long until Corlea began studying all there was to know about the integrity, rules and disciplines of kickboxing intently.
With her knack for the art of refereeing evident, she was soon asked to referee at a local competition.
“Thereafter you could not stop her,” her mom Sophia tells Good Things Guy. “She did all the exams and coursed needed and she went on to referee in several competitions.”
Corlea has refereed at competitions like Great North 1, 2 and 3, as well as two South African Champs.
Remarkably, she was the youngest referee present.
All this accumulated in her “I made it moment” as she got the go ahead to head to Worlds in Budapest. Naturally, Corlea couldn’t have been more thrilled for her international debut. After a lot of fundraising, the road to Budapest has winded down swiftly and as of 23 August, she’ll be playing one of the most important roles in any competition.
“Dreams can come true if you believe in yourself and work hard to achieve. I am privileged and honoured to be able to do this. It’s a dream come true,” says Corlea.
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“My daughter is a very loving, caring, unselfish person and always prepared to help. On the contrary, when circumstances require, she can be very strict and determined in her actions and deeds,” beams her mom.
“Her achievements in the kickboxing arena did not come as a surprise to us as parents, because we are well aware of her competence as a sportsperson and [moreover] as a person and a loving child. We as parents wish her well for this major achievement and full faith and confidence in her. May God keep her safe on her journey.”
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