Youngster shines at international Judo tournament
KHS learner Oabile Molefe showcased his Judo skills in Malta, taking the top prize.
Kicks, fists and throws are all part of the plan for a youngster who hopes to impress and dominate the martial scene for the next five years.
That is what Krugersdorp High School learner Oabile Molefe expressed after returning from Malta earlier this month after achieving gold at the Commonwealth Judo Championships.
The championships are an international judo competition, open to countries of the Commonwealth of Nations. The tournament was started in 1986 and is held every two years and is recognised by the Commonwealth Games Federation, and organised by the Commonwealth Judo Association.
Oabile competed against top athletes in the Commonwealth. He expressed how he had to compete against the best of the best in the tournament. Molefe has been practising Judo for over five years and said that it’s a sport that taught him to be disciplined, observant and healthy. He is a Junior Black belt and usually contends in the under 66kg division. He describes the tournament as being one of the most thrilling experiences in his life.
“From the first day, I started competing in the tournament I loved every minute of the atmosphere in Malta, there was a huge buzz with many of the best athletes in my age category aiming for their goals and having to fight in front of thousands of people is intense but it at least puts you to the test,” he said.
He may have achieved gold at the championships but he has his sights on climbing higher mountains. He hopes to compete in the Olympics, and win gold for his country and fly the West Rand flag high.
“I have achieved a lot of goals over the last five years but I hope to challenge myself even more by competing at one of the biggest world stages in sport which is the Olympics that will take place in Los Angeles.”
Apart from being a skilled martial artist, Oabile is also a talented hockey player having been selected for the Gauteng Southern Hockey team and playing for Krugersdorp High School’s first team.
“Judo is my passion but I love other sports because I always aim to improve myself physically,” he concluded.
