Judo taught Tegan how to deal with bullies
After being bullied as a child Tegan decided to take judo classes. Ten years later she is doing much better than she ever thought she would.
Those who used to bully Curro Krugersdorp learner Tegan Malherbe quickly stopped the moment they found out how well she was doing in judo competitions.
Tegan joined her first judo club at the age of six.
Fortunately she never had to use her newly acquired skills to fend off bullies, but earned the respect of her peers as she gained a lot of self-respect and confidence through training.
By the time she turned 10, Tegan placed first in a Judo South Africa Schools competition, and received her South Africa colours shortly thereafter.
By the age of 11 she won three Gauteng Open Championships and ranked number one in Gauteng for that year and the next. Tegan continued improving and during her Grade 8 year she exceeded expectations by winning the South Africa Judo Championship, the Judo schools division and district competitions, and placing first in the Gauteng Kata Championship in Nage-no-Kata.
Last year Tegan moved to judo’s Group Four, made up of 15- to 17-year-olds. Even though she was among the youngest in this group, she received her South African colours and won the Gauteng Kata Championship once again.
What advice does Tegan have for other girls currently being victimised by bullies?
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