Peter Aerts: For Love of Sport and Family (interview)

**marcelt** · 09-09-2009, 22:57

Peter Aerts: For Love of Sport and Family

Source: K-1 Official

On September 26th, the legend returns once again to the WGP tournament. Dutch fighter and K-1 veteran Peter Aerts joins the K-1 WGP 2009 Final 16 tournament (previously called Opening Round) in Seoul for a record 17 times. How far will he continue to push the envelope? With an already distinguished career, what makes him continually strive for the K-1 crown?

Fighting is my life

-- You really gave quite a show when you defeated Yosuke Nishijima on August, 11th.
I think that anyone could see that it was quite a match. Nishijima showed a lot of heart - he was tough - and it helped make that fight a great one and I'm thankful to him for that. I'm also glad that it ended with such a spectacular finish.
-- Before the fight you said that you'd be teaching him a hard lesson and that's what happened.
I think it was a hard lesson. He should have fought someone more his own level for his first K-1 fight. However, the man has a heart to rival any K-1 fighter. He should be proud of what he did in the ring.
-- Spoken like a true veteran. And now you'll be in the WGP tournament for the 17th time!
I want to make it an even 20 times in a row. That would be a good time to move on.
-- Move on?
Then I'll be 42. If I shoot for 25 times, I'll be 47. It's not impossible, but I think 42 is the right age to retire. And 20 times has a good ring to it.
-- What's kept you going year after year?
I like fighting. If I'm not training for a fight, I wouldn't know what to do. When I have a fight, I have to train and it keeps me in shape and healthy. Fighting is my life.

Age is just a number

-- Recently, fighters who have grown up watching you and wanting to be like you are now fighting professionally.
That's great. Of course they will probably retire before I do (laughter).
-- Gotta love your confidence! What will happen if you meet them in the ring?
I would love to fight them. Once we're in the ring, it's all about having the best fight possible.
-- But you don't want to lose those young fighters either!
Of course not. But, age is just a number. I've done the work and I'm in just as good a shape as anyone, if not better.
-- Training with Thom Harinck is tough?
He's strict (laughter). But I've been able to concentrate like never before. In the past I had to watch my students while I was training, and I had to build my own training regimen. I had a lot of distractions. Now there is nothing to pull my focus away from training. I think that it's paying off in the ring.
-- You're one of the last veterans left in the WGP. What keeps you going where others have failed?
I have several reasons why I can't quit fighting. First of all, I love K-1. You can't get the same thrill anywhere else that you get in the K-1 ring. Supporting my family is another big reason I won't let the new guys sweep me away so easily. I'm taking the fight to them.

A fighting father

-- You're already a living legend. What's left for Peter Aerts to accomplish?
I love K-1. It's my life. It affects all parts of my life. Without it, I wouldn't have the life I do now. That's what motivates me to try so hard. To continue to have the best fights possible and make them even more dynamic. How many fighters in the World Elimination tournament fought for points? That's not what you do. You be aggressive and go for the knockout. That's how you live on in the fans' memories.
-- Through martial arts, what message to you want to send to your kids?
I want them to see a great fight that ends with a knockout, but I also want them to know that everything I do is for them. I want them to see their father working hard for them in the ring.
-- What do you think of the other Final 16 members?
They've all become better technically. No matter who I fight, it will be a tough match. Of course, Semmy Schilt has a physique that makes him very hard to fight.
-- Badr Hari has KOed Schilt recently.
I saw that fight. It was a great fight.
-- There is a lot of talk about the "new versus the old". What kind of bout would you like to have?
Just like always, I'm going to do my best. Give it everything I've got. If I do that, I'll please the fans and we'll have a great fight. You can count on that.

**detje** · 09-09-2009, 23:25

wat een fenomeen..respect for the lumberjack..hij lijkt met het jaar weer beter te worden..

**Mr 1 Leg** · 10-09-2009, 07:13

mooi intervieuw.reps

**simtekf1** · 10-09-2009, 09:06

Reps voor Peter, altijd!!

**EdwinC** · 10-09-2009, 09:21

Top interview, en ik denk dat hij de spijker op zijn kop slaat met de opmerking over het trainen bij Harinck, namelijk niet meer afgeleid worden van het trainen doordat hij nog op zijn leerlingen moet letten.