Warren Stevelmans
Encyclopedia
Warren "Chaka Zulu" Stevelmans (born May 16, 1983) is a South Africa
n kickboxer, fighting out of Vos Gym in Amsterdam
, Netherlands
. He is the K-1 MAX Netherlands 2008 tournament champion.
, Stevelmans has spent the bulk of his career fighting in the Netherlands
. He began his career at C-Class level in 2001 and through 2001 to 2005 won a number of C and B-Class fights, culminating in winning his A-Class debut against Arian Vatniki in Maastricht, Netherlands. Stevelmans lost his next fight against Chris Ngimbi but then went on a winning streak throughout the rest of 2006 and in to the later stages of 2007 where he won his first title, defeating William Diender
to claim the N.K.B.B. national title at 70 kg.
Stevelmans performances at domestic level gave him the chance to take his talents on to the world stage as he was invited by K-1
to participate in one of their regional qualifying tournaments at the K-1 MAX Netherlands 2008 held in Utrecht
. Stevelmans was the victor at a very competitive tournament, defeating two time SuperLeague
champion Aalviar Lima in the quarter finals, gaining revenge on Chris Ngimbi in the semis via TKO and beating Marco Piqué
in the final to book his place at the K-1 Final 16 event. Stevelmans won his elimination fight in Hiroshima, Japan and advanced to the quarter final stage at the K-1 World MAX Final 8. Unfortunately for Stevelmans he was paired up against two time K-1 MAX world champion Andy Souwer
who proved too strong for him over three rounds.
After his exit from the 2008 K-1 World MAX Stevelmans has been inconsistent. He picked up a good victory against Aalviar Lima but has struggled against world class opposition, losing fights to the likes of Giorgio Petrosyan
, Albert Kraus
and Mike Zambidis
. At the start of 2011, Stevelmans returned to K-1 MAX entering the K-1 MAX Madrid 2011 tournament. He beat two Spanish opponents on route to the final but was unable to win the title, losing to his third Spanish opponent on the night in Rafi Zouheir, via decision over three rounds.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n kickboxer, fighting out of Vos Gym in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. He is the K-1 MAX Netherlands 2008 tournament champion.
Biography and career
Despite being born in South AfricaSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Stevelmans has spent the bulk of his career fighting in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. He began his career at C-Class level in 2001 and through 2001 to 2005 won a number of C and B-Class fights, culminating in winning his A-Class debut against Arian Vatniki in Maastricht, Netherlands. Stevelmans lost his next fight against Chris Ngimbi but then went on a winning streak throughout the rest of 2006 and in to the later stages of 2007 where he won his first title, defeating William Diender
William Diender
William "The Machine" Diender is Dutch welterweight kickboxer, fighting out of Team Aerts in Amsterdam. He is Dutch and European Muay Thai champion currently competing in K-1 MAX.-Kickboxing record:-External links:...
to claim the N.K.B.B. national title at 70 kg.
Stevelmans performances at domestic level gave him the chance to take his talents on to the world stage as he was invited by K-1
K-1
K-1 is a defunct world-wide kickboxing promotion based in Tokyo, Japan founded by Kazuyoshi Ishii, a formerKyokushin karate practitioner. K-1 combines stand up techniques from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, Savate, San Shou, kickboxing, western-style boxing, and other martial arts...
to participate in one of their regional qualifying tournaments at the K-1 MAX Netherlands 2008 held in Utrecht
Utrecht
Utrecht is a city in the Netherlands.The name may also refer to:* Utrecht , of which Utrecht is the capital* Utrecht , including the city of Utrecht* Bishopric of Utrecht* Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Utrecht...
. Stevelmans was the victor at a very competitive tournament, defeating two time SuperLeague
Thai & Kickbox SuperLeague
Thai & Kickbox SuperLeague, commonly known as SuperLeague, was a former kickboxing organization that was based in Vienna, Austria. It was founded by Austrian businessmen Marcus Bauer and Willi Wokurka in 2003 with the aim to bring together champion fighters from across the world into a single...
champion Aalviar Lima in the quarter finals, gaining revenge on Chris Ngimbi in the semis via TKO and beating Marco Piqué
Marco Piqué
Marco "The Sniper" Piqué is a Dutch-Surinamese welterweight kickboxer, fighting out of Profighters Gym in Almere, Netherlands. He is the current W.F.C.A. Muay Thai middleweight world champion, W.M.C...
in the final to book his place at the K-1 Final 16 event. Stevelmans won his elimination fight in Hiroshima, Japan and advanced to the quarter final stage at the K-1 World MAX Final 8. Unfortunately for Stevelmans he was paired up against two time K-1 MAX world champion Andy Souwer
Andy Souwer
Andreas "Andy" Souwer is a Dutch welterweight shoot boxer. He is two time K-1 World MAX champion as well as a three time Shootboxing World tournament champion, fighting out of Mejiro Gym, Amsterdam, Netherlands....
who proved too strong for him over three rounds.
After his exit from the 2008 K-1 World MAX Stevelmans has been inconsistent. He picked up a good victory against Aalviar Lima but has struggled against world class opposition, losing fights to the likes of Giorgio Petrosyan
Giorgio Petrosyan
Gevorg "Giorgio" Petrosyan is an Armenian-Italian welterweight kickboxer, fighting out of Satori Gladiatorium in Gorizia, Italy. He is the two time K-1 World MAX champion and WKN Intercontinental Middleweight Muay Thai champion....
, Albert Kraus
Albert Kraus
Albert “The Hurricane” Kraus is a Dutch welterweight kickboxer. He was the first K-1 World MAX 2002 champion and has also held four separate world titles in kickboxing and Muay Thai...
and Mike Zambidis
Mike Zambidis
"Iron" Mike Zambidis is a professional Greek kickboxer and martial artist. He is a 15 time World Champion, and is the current W.I.P.U...
. At the start of 2011, Stevelmans returned to K-1 MAX entering the K-1 MAX Madrid 2011 tournament. He beat two Spanish opponents on route to the final but was unable to win the title, losing to his third Spanish opponent on the night in Rafi Zouheir, via decision over three rounds.
Titles
- 2011 K-1 MAX Madrid 2011 runner up -70 kg
- 2010 W.F.C.A. Thai-boxing middleweight world title -72.5 kg
- 2008 K-1 MAX Netherlands champion -70 kg
- 2006 N.K.B.B. Dutch national champion
Kickboxing record
| Kickboxing Record | |
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Legend: |
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See also
- List of male kickboxers
- List of kickboxing organizations
- List of K-1 Events