Expat who was told he would only live till 17, defies odds to live a full life

Martial arts saved me, says Dario Van Krauser, now in his fifties

- Nasreen Abdulla

When Dario Van Krauser was 13 years old, his poor health landed him in a hospital, where he overheard his doctor telling his mother that he would not live for long. Although it devastated him, he decided to take matters into his own hands.

"I was born with so many health issues that the doctor predicted I wouldn't live past the age of 17-20," he said. "I was not religious, but I knelt and prayed for a long life that night. The next morning, I woke up with a question: how do martial arts practitioners live a long and fulfilling life? They die, but most of them die at an older age and when they are still active. So, I began my research and journey into the world of martial arts."

An entrepreneur, black belt holder in karate, and long-time martial arts practitioner, Dario is now in his fifties. He welcomed his first grandchild in May 2023 and is ready to welcome his second grandchild next February.

“Martial arts saved me,” he said. “Both when I was young and sick and later on in life when I was going through other issues. Last year, I witnessed one of the most precious moments when I held my grandson for the first time. That was proof that a person’s life and death is determined by the Creator alone, and no one can predict it.”