Little Moot boy already a champ in taekwondo
He won a gold medal at the regional South African Association Korean Martial Arts (SAAKMA) having also scooped gold at the Arnold Classics last month.
At the age of four, Manqoba Njabulo Masilela has already bagged a number of gold medals in taekwondo tournaments.
On Saturday, he won a gold medal at the regional South African Association Korean Martial Arts (SAAKMA) having also scooped gold at the Arnold Classics last month.
Nobbi, as he’s affectionately known, comes from East Lynne and has been competing in the taekwondo junior division for a year, according to his coaches Quintin and Driekie Kok.
“As his coaches, my husband and I are extremely proud of him. For his age, Nobbi is extremely talented and dedicated which makes him so special,” she said.
“Having won gold at SAAKMA regionals, national and the Arnold Classics makes him a junior top performer and one of the young players to watch in this sport.
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“He is also a charming young man with lots of self-confidence. He is the youngest in his division that includes 4-6 years old players.
Manqoba is the youngest player at the Agoge East Lynne where he practices ATA Songham Taekwondo.
Quintin Kok told Rekord that taekwondo was not just a sport but a lifestyle.
“We encourage taekwondo students to compete from a young age. Parents can bring their children over from an age of three and one of the things that we specialise in a lot is self-confidence,” he said.
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“It builds dedication, discipline and confidence and we believe it’s very important to keep the young ones active and disciplined. That is what motivates them to become better people when growing up.”
Kok said since Nobbi won a number of gold medals, he was more determined than ever, thanks to the support of his father.
“His father is a former martial artist himself while Nobbi’s brother Sia is also talented. Sia also won gold in all the divisions he has competed in at the SAAKMA Nationals.”
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