From bully victim to champ

They say dynamite comes in small packages and Anika Cloete is proof of that. The 11-year-old from Totus Tuus Independent School in Primrose is a South African Jijutsu athlete.

She practices judo at the Ritoru Tatsu Freestyle Judo Club and said her journey in the sport started when she was being bullied.

“I was looking for a sport to teach me how to defend myself because I was being bullied and I wanted to stand up for myself,” said Anika.

Since then the Grade Four learner has not looked back and has been doing well in the sport.

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In 2018 she achieved her orange belt and a gold medal in her age and weight category at the South Africa schools tournament. In 2019 she received a bronze medal at the SA Open Championships.

She was also ranked number one in Gauteng for girls in her age and weight group by the Gauteng Judo Federation last year.

“I’m proud of how I have grown in the sport. I love judo and to be able to do well in it makes me even happier,” said Anika.

“Judo has taught me not to be afraid and to stand up for myself. I now have self-confidence and at the same time I’m able to defend myself.”

This year, due to the pandemic, has been challenging because she could not practice or compete in tournaments.

“I have become unfit because I was unable to practice. I was extra sad because I was unable to take part in competitions to get points and I was unable to grade to my next belt which is green. I hope to do so in the near future,” said Anika.

“This sport is for both boys and girls. It is fun, but a risky sport. I would like to see more girls doing the sport so they can learn self-defence,” said Anika.

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Contact the newsroom by emailing:Editor at germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist) busiv@caxton.co.za.

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