The terminally ill kickboxer Robbie Hageman has a tumor in his head, but he will fight his farewell match in Eindhoven on Saturday. It is a match that his mother prefers not to be present and that his opponent had to think about for a long time. This finds its close environment of the match.
Anita Hageman, mother
“I didn’t want to be there, but he insists on having his children there. So I said I’ll keep an eye on them. That is also a distraction. Where he gets the power from, no one understands. It is a miracle that he perseveres so much with the chemo. He lives it very much. It’s his everything. I think the adrenaline gives that. I can understand Robbie wanting to end it that way.
I worry quite a lot. I’m a little tense before the game. I’ve always thought it was a great sport, but of course I look at it differently now. I hope it will be a great match where they both come out nicely and that it will be well rounded for him.”
Heavily pregnant Chantal Hageman, female
“I still have two weeks to go. So it can happen at any time. You never know, huh. She’s already selfish. We agreed that if I was allowed to give birth during his farewell party, I would still allow him to play his farewell party. He liked that.
This is going to be an emotional match because it’s the last time. I like it so much for him. We’re just going to enjoy. He can now finally fulfill his dream.”
Ali Gunyar, coach
“I had a lot of trouble with it in the beginning. I have spoken to his parents and his wife. The doctor agreed. We started training. He’s come a long way and now he’s ready.
It’s a game with a story. It’s Robbie’s last game, in the prime of his life. He had to stop his career at once. We’re going to prove once again that nothing can stop us. We are ready.
I expect a spectacle. From both sides, because he has a good opponent. That’s a legend. He has fought many competitions at home and abroad.”
Former European champion Rachid Belaini, opponent
“My farewell was in 2015 against Robbie. I was asked if I could please put my gloves on again. To fight Robbie.
I had to think about it for a long time. It gives a double feeling. He had received approval from the doctors. I really like Robbie. The family is close and I like that. It’s a good guy. A good father. I thought: if I can help that boy, I will. Within three months I lost eleven kilos. It’s going to be tough. I always go for 100 percent. Not for eighty or ninety.”
Theo Hageman, father
“For me as a father it is very twofold. Of course he is sick. No wonder he has to say goodbye. That’s sad. At the same time, he can say goodbye to all his audience on a beautiful evening. I really like Robbie. Then he can close it.”
The farewell match is Saturday at the Indoor Sportcentrum Eindhoven. Part of the proceeds go to the fundraiser for Robbie Hageman for treatment in the United States.
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