Danie Brits
| Born | Pretoria, South Africa |
|---|---|
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Danie 'The Legend' Britz Danie Britz Tornado I The Masked Tornado |
| Billed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Billed weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| Billed from | Pretoria, South Africa |
| Debut | 1983 |
| Retired | 2007 |
Danie Brits is a retired South African professional wrestler and former South African Heavyweight Champion, known for his work in many of South Africa's major promotions in the past and for his 1980s stint as The Masked Tornado.
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.
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. Just prior to winning the championship he unmasked and started using his real name. The Tornado mask and gimmick was passed on to Steve Debbes, who became Tornado II.
On 12 April 1993, he defeated Gama Singh. On 21 May 1994, Danie Brits teamed up with Giant Warrior who was his arch-rival at the time to defeat Gama Singh and Danie Voges in a tag team match. On 22 July 1994, Danie Brits teamed up with Danie Voges, losing to the American Wrecking Crew of Robbie Rage and Mike Fury at the Sun City Superbowl in an inter-promotional supercard. 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.
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