From George in the Western Cape, Miné Graaff, first-year LLB student at the North-West University (NWU), is dynamite in a small package.

Since this kickboxing queen took up the sport at the age of nine, she has never looked back.

Taking to this sport like a duck to water, in 2013, Miné took part in the WTKA world championships in Italy. Here she scooped up first position in her category.

In an impressive feat, Miné won and retained the South African championship title in her division for three years running.

She returned in 2018 in her debut feature as a full contact kick boxer and still competes currently.

However, this was not enough for Miné. She also took up bodybuilding as an additional competition sport and came second in her first Beach Bikini competition. She came in at sixth place during the recent Fitness Bikini competition on 13 April 2019.

Miné has since also starting dabbling in boxing. “When I arrived at the NWU, I realised that there was no kickboxing,” she says. “I then made the transition to boxing for its more focused upper body toning qualities which I find to be very beneficial in the long run.”

She is currently preparing for a provincial boxing tournament that will take place on 27 May 2019. She will also participate in the University Sports South Africa (USSA) tournament in June this year as member of the number one ranked boxing team from the NWU.

“Sport is a big part of my life. Not only does it contribute to my psychological, physical and emotional development, but it also helps me to do my best academically,” says Miné.

Miné Graaff strikes a pose during a Beach Bikini bodybuilding competition.

Miné is passionate about all things sport – kickboxing in particular.