Halle The Martial arts School (OKS) put Monday night instructor Jean Vanhassel in the flowers. On april 12, the beloved Vanhassel 80 years, but every week he is still on the tatami. “My secret? No alcohol, no drugs and a bit of luck,” says Jean.
Jean Vanhassel is an icon within the Martial arts School. Since the ‘70s, he stands on the mat to the young guard, all the tricks of the judovak to learn. Jean will soon be 80 years of age, but of stopping he doesn’t want to know. “I’m amusing myself every time on the tatami,” said Jean. “Together with my son Edwig, I give training to the children. Every week I’m 2 to 3 hours on the tatami. At my age, that seems not that obvious, but my condition remains excellent.”
From the sidelines to the tatami
However, ended up Jean happen to be within the judovereniging. At the age of 30 he joined OKS Halle… by his son. “He started with weekly judotrainingen,” says Jean. “Every time I brought him to the sports hall to pick up The slack. But instead of my time-wasting, and along the sidelines watching, I wrote me also. Fifty years later I am still on the tatami. I love the judosport. Everything has to do with self-control and respect for your opponent. Fighters can’t do. You must show respect for the judosport.”