Brother and sister pin down their new sport
Joshua admits that he was fearful at first when he went to compete but told himself that he will have to confront each fight with a spirit to triumph.
Joshua (12) and his sister Shiloh Rose Mathane (10) have taken hold of their new sport and love every moment of it.
The two said that joining Nelspruit Wrestling Club and learning the sport has boosted their self confidence.
Lowvelder caught up with the two during training at Mbombela Stadium. Their parents, Rodney and Vinette Mathane, always accompanies them.
When Joshua pinned his sister to the wrestling mat, this journalist assumed she will leave the training area, run to her mom and cry.
Instead she asked for a second bout before they started with their regular Tuesday night training session.
The siblings joined the club in February and May 2015, respectively, and have already won gold medals in competitions.
According to Rodney, Joshua would return home from school humiliated after being bullied.
“When he was young he had a few teeth punched out by a classmate. This affected him a lot, but after a friend invited him to training we thought he should join the club,” said Rodney.
Joshua admits that he was fearful at first when he went to compete but told himself that he will have to confront each fight with a spirit to triumph.
“Wrestling has also taught me to stand up for myself and admit that life is tough,” he said.
The two agreed that the sport has instilled a sense of discipline. They manage to juggle their schoolwork and training without any problems.
The club’s founder and head coach, Hansie Kruger, said participating in wrestling teaches the participants to look after their bodies.
He added that they also learn a great deal of discipline. Kruger has been involved in wrestling for the past 49 years.
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