A teenager’s closet
Marsel Fazlic (14) – from bullying victim to kickboxing champion
The 14-year-old Swiss Marsel Fazlic has a full trophy cabinet at home, he is top in kickboxing, boxing and karate. He has big goals for the future.
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Marsel Fazilc is only 14 years young…
20min/Ela Celik
… in his career he has nevertheless already achieved a lot.
20min/Ela Celik
In his age and weight class he has already won three world champion titles in kickboxing. Most recently in 2022, when he defeated a local by knockout in a decider in Turkey.
20min/Ela Celik
He says: “I used to be bullied at school, also because I was overweight. I had few friends.” And that’s when he started martial arts at the age of six.
20min/Ela Celik
Fazlic is a closet of a teenager. The Swiss is 1.80 meters tall, weighs 85 kilograms and wears shoe size 44.
20min/Ela Celik
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14-year-old Marsel Fazlic is a great martial arts talent.
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The young Swiss practices kickboxing, karate and boxing at a high level.
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At 20 minutes he talks about his passion.
The punches with the hands and legs occur in quick succession. You sit, the kickboxing trainer is happy. The 14-year-old Swiss Marsel Fazlic has a combative facial expression, sweat is running down his face. The young dietician is a closet of an adolescent. He is 1.80 meters tall, weighs 85 kilograms and wears size 44 shoes.
In his age and weight class he has already won three world champion titles in kickboxing. Most recently in 2022, when he defeated a local by knockout in a decider in Turkey. In addition, he triumphed last year at the International German Kickboxing Championship. He was also a Swiss champion in karate. In short: Fazlic wins one title after the other. “I collect all my trophies in two showcases at home,” he says and laughs. “But they are already overcrowded, it needs a third party.”
“Now I’m popular – finally”
He says: “I used to be bullied at school, also because I was overweight. I didn’t have many friends.” And that’s when he started martial arts at the age of six. Also so that he could defend himself if someone pushed him again. Eight years later, the 14-year-old says: “Now I’m popular. And people respect me – finally.” The martial artist practices kickboxing, karate and boxing at a high level. He says: “If I knock someone out, that’s a brilliant achievement for me.”
When 20 minutes meets the 14-year-old in the training center, his father is also there. His name is also Marsel Fazlic. You can see his pride in his son. Does he get scared when he sees his son fighting? “No,” he replies. Injuries also occur in non-martial arts. “I’m always sweating violently and I’m full of adrenaline,” says father Fazlic. The mother is the same. The martial arts talent himself adds: “I love my family and I’m just glad that they support me.”
“Mike Tyson is my great role model”
Since the prize money in the junior area is often kept within limits, Papa Fazlic calls the whole thing “an expensive hobby” and “a negative business”. The family spends up to CHF 15,000 a year. This includes: the training, the trips to the competitions, the material. He likes to do it for his son, but he also states that school should not be neglected: “What good is the best fighter if he has nothing in his head?”
The 14-year-old himself has big goals: “I’ll give everything to be a boxing champion one day and have a mega fight in the USA.” So boxing – and not kickboxing or karate? Fazlic grins and says: “At the moment I like it best.” At the moment he still wants to concentrate on all three sports, but at some point boxing will be the focus. “Mike Tyson is my big role model. I love his fighting spirit.” Fazlic trains five to six times a week – if the school allows it – and jogging is the order of the day on Sundays.
After the conversation, the unit continues. The calm facial expression of the 14-year-old is grim and concentrated again. Fazlic is in his element.
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