Father follows in his son's footsteps

At 49 years old, Rotorua's Arona Marsters has joined his son in becoming a kickboxing title holder.

Marsters became the IKBF Super Heavyweight North Island title holder when he beat Sam 'The Ring Shaker' Lorimer at the Interclub Challenge tournament hosted by the Puma New Generation Fight Club in Pukekohe last Saturday.

Marsters, who is a member of the Ngakaunui Muay-Thai Kickboxing Gym, didn't know much about his opponent and stayed focused on his own gameplan.

"All I knew was that I was told that he had six fights and the last four he had were knock-outs."

In the end, Marsters held out to secure victory. He won the title after the fight, which lasted five, two minute rounds, in a majority decision.

Marsters said the fight "went very, very well".

But he insisted his success wasn't only a reflection of his own abilities - many people had contributed to his success including his trainers Wayne and Teresa Wairoa, his family and his friends.

"I can't take all the credit myself. I think Wayne's preparation, and Wayne's gameplan I think, played a big part," he said.

Marsters, who started kickboxing about a year ago, was inspired by what his son Joel Marsters had achieved in the sport - including scooping three titles.

"My son was a bit of an inspiration. Him having three belts inspired me to get to that level."

Marsters said other factors also helped including his wife allowing him to fight on his wedding anniversary, the opportunity to spar with other club members as well as the extra sparring he was doing with the Rotovegas Boxing Gym in the lead-up to their corporate fight night on December 10.

To celebrate his win, Marsters returned home to Rotorua.

"I came straight back home from Auckland and gave my wife my belt [as an anniversary gift]."

Other Rotorua club members also fought in the inter-club competition.

Rotorua's Caleb Piua lost his North Island Pee Wee Title fight against Auckland's Tikino Brown in a split decision.

Helena Double lost to Auckland's Kaya Tanoa and Jorda McWalter lost to Auckland's Kama Taani.

Donna Liverstone won against Huntly's Angela Atkocaitis and Attila Hun Gesztey beat Auckland's Cory Kira.