Known for her love of God, Mari van Kampen, a 14-year-old learner from Nico Malan High School in Humansdorp, sadly passed away in January after an eight-month battle with leukemia.
To honour the inspirational teenager who loved Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Gqeberha-based club, The Pride Academy, hosted an MMA event on February 24.
Van Kampen’s stepfather, sensei Gerhard Coetzee of Jeffreys Bay-based Raptors Mixed Martial Arts, said that despite the hardships his stepdaughter had faced, the two pillars that gave her strength were her tight-knit family and her faith in God.
He said that even though chemotherapy treatments left her feeling exhausted, she continued to persevere.
A true inspiration, Coetzee said that she had enjoyed attending MMA classes even while in a wheelchair, and even though she experienced a difficult eight months before she passed on, she motivated many of the MMA students.
“Mari attended some of the MMA classes when she was not in the hospital, and with a smile on her face always, she motivated thousands of people at our classes,” said Coetzee.
In addition to her love of God and her family, he said that Mari also enjoyed colouring and found peace in each creative piece.
Coetzee said that Van Kampen found an escape in children’s movies, gospel music, and maintaining a positive mindset.
With many students from JBay’s Raptors participating in events hosted by The Pride Academy, and the good relationship they have with Coetzee, the Gqeberha-based MMA club wanted to host a special event to honour Mari.
Coetzee said that the event, titled Genesis 4, had two divisions, which included white collar boxing and no gi-grappling.
He further said that many of the JBay Raptors students signed up for the event, but only seven received fighter tickets.
“Six students took part in no gi-grappling, and one in white collar boxing. Five won, one lost, while one student had a draw,” said Coetzee.
