Mat Johnson has been training with instructor, Robbie Hawkins, for the past 18 months.

On March 27, Mat went to Whyalla with a large group of Port Pirie supporters where he won the ‘Shins of Steel’ trophy in 72 kilograms, middle weight division.

This was Mat’s first win, only once coming a runner up in a previous tournament.

“It was good to win, it makes the training worthwhile,” Mat said, “There is a lot of preparation.”

And ‘a lot’ is an understatement. Mat needs to train five days a week for six weeks in preparation for a fight night. In fact, Mat is training for another tournament in Adelaide in May. While Muay Thai kickboxing has a degree of discipline, Mat was undertaking a different form of discipline in the army.

However, he decided to leave and took up building before recently enrolling in a nursing course.

Mat’s instructor, Robbie has been involved in kickboxing for the fifteen years.

He teaches kickboxing at his house where he says all his students are different.

“Some people do it for the competition, others for fitness. And then some parents bring their children for discipline.” Robbie said.

Both men were appreciative of their sponsors, Punch equipment and Nyrstar, and their

sparring partners, Shaun Pennell and Andrew Edwards.

Muay Thai kickboxing instructor, Robbie Hawkins, is pictured, from left, with Shins of Steel champ, Mat Johnson. Mat won in the Whyalla fight night on March 27.