Early career Danie Brits was an accomplished
amateur wrestler and
judoka before entering
professional wrestling. Prior to the 1990s, doing professional wrestling and amateur wrestling at the same time in South Africa was forbidden. Due to his devotion to both
sports and being one of the top amateur wrestling competitors in the country, Brits wrestled under a mask upon his professional wrestling debut in 1983, going by the names
Tornado and
The Masked Tornado.
Bronco Universal Promotions/Interworld Wrestling Promotions (1983–92) Danie Brits made his ring debut in 1983 for Bronco Universal Promotions which was operated by legendary
promoter Bull Hefer. On 28 November 1987, Danie Brits challenged unsuccessfully for the World Middleweight Title against
Gama Singh. On 21 September 1989, Danie Brits teamed up with
Danie Voges for the first time in over three years to take on Munro and Big
Ox Baker at the Portuguese Hall for Interworld Wrestling Promotions. He won the
South African Heavyweight Title from Danie Voges in June 1990, becoming the sixth champion in the title's history. In September, 1995, Danie Brits received an injury to the eye after having an object thrown at him by a spectator in his All Stars Wrestling match with Giant Warrior, after which he was forced to have a major operation. On 20 September 1996, Danie Brits wrestled the American
Man Mountain Rock at an All Stars Wrestling show promoted by Paul Lloyd, father of
WWE star
Justin Gabriel. On 29 November 1997, Danie Brits took on and lost to Rage at the famed Orient Theatre in
East London. On 30 March 1999, Danie Brits faced
Gama Singh at the Orient Theatre in what would be their very last encounter.
World Wrestling Professionals (2004–07) In 2004, he joined
World Wrestling Professionals and was billed Danie
"The Legend" Brits. He took part in the first and second seasons of
WWP Thunderstrike, which was airing on national television in South Africa. He teamed up with his nephew Ananzi and won the
WWP Tag Team World Title. During a house show in
Durban they caused a legitimate
riot and were forced out of the building by
police escort. Danie Brits failed to show up at one of the second season tapings due to illness and was thus relieved of his title status. In 2007, Danie Brits retired after a 20-year career in professional wrestling. ==Personal life==