As a young child, I began my martial arts journey with karate. While it wasn't my primary passion, training alongside my older brother made it enjoyable. Around the age of 10, I shifted my focus entirely to kickboxing.
During this time, I started to grasp the fundamental defense and attack techniques of kickboxing. The introduction of sparring further ignited my love for the sport. Sparring against various opponents, experimenting with new combinations, and defending attacks has always been exhilarating.
My teaching style
As a kickboxing coach, I believe in a systematic approach to teaching. Mastering the fundamentals of footwork and defense is essential for success in kickboxing. Without proper footwork and defense, you're vulnerable like a punching bag.
While improving your footwork may seem tedious at first, the rewards are immense. Once you've mastered your footwork, you'll feel more confident in your guard and truly enjoy the sport. By focusing on footwork and defense, you'll reduce anxiety during training, sparring, and competitions.
Regular practice of evasion and defense will enhance your overall counter-reaction skills.
A Sneak Peek of my Mejiro Bali Team
Q&A
Questions-and-Answers with coach Daniel
In Bali, what other activities can I do to improve my performance outside the gym and enjoy Bali at the same time?
I would recommend Jimbaran beach for people who likes white sand beaches, great place for swimming with beautiful sunsets and view of the airplanes landing, the beachfront are also lined with plenty of delicious seafood restaurants!
Do you have a favourite food in Bali, to take before training or unwind after training?
After all day of sweating and training, some days I like to eat creamy foods like spaghetti or pizzas! When my blood sugar is low, I would order a tiramisu from a restaurant in Sanur called Forketta.
Can I specifically book a private session with you?
Yes you can request a private session with me, simply book a session and write in the details which coach you would like to train with, but keep in mind that the coach might not be available at the time / day that you requested and your booking will be rescheduled.
Having been raised into Kickboxing in a Boxing gym, do you still get nervous in the ring?
It's natural to feel nervous before or during a fight. To manage your nerves, focus on yourself rather than the audience or the ring. Stay aware of your defense and countermoves, and remember to breathe. Holding your breath can exacerbate anxiety.
Personally, I find listening to music before or during a fight to be helpful. Following the rhythm can help you stay focused and relaxed.
Do you have a fighter that you admire and inspire the most?
Ramon Dekkers is indeed a legendary kickboxer known for his aggressive and intimidating fighting style. His nickname "The Diamond" perfectly captures his toughness and skill. He's considered one of the greatest kickboxers of all time.
With all the regular sparring and extensive training, what was your worst accidents / injuries?
It would be the muscle tear on my right shoulder. It happened when I was training for a competition. Me and my opponents were fired up for hard sparring and I gave an overhand right and tore my right shoulder.
