Local boxer wins gold medal in African championship tournament
The three-day African Boxing championship Zone 4 tournament was held in Mozambique, Maputo from April 22-24.
Mamelodi local boxer wins gold medal in the African Boxing Championship Zone 4 light heavyweight division.
The 22-year-old Khayalethu Gabuza from Mamelodi East, Section 16 was representing Southern Africa when he won gold with a knock-out in round two.
The three-day African Boxing Championship Zone 4 tournament was held in Maputo, Mozambique from April 22-24.
Gabuza from Mabetha Boxing Club in Mamelodi was participating in the 80kg division and he won with a knock-out in the second round, while facing Yahun from Maputo.
Speaking to Gabuza, he said this was the beginning of his career.
His next goal is to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics international multi-sport event, which was scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024, in Paris, France.
He said dedication and hard work with extra hours at the gym has paid off with a gold medal.
However, he said he could not do without the guidance of his coach, Jan Mathola, the founder of Mabetha Boxing Club.
“My coach always encouraged me to focus on my goal in everything I do and not to give up,” said Gabuza.
“He taught me to be disciplined and stay positive at all times.
“Boxing was not always my sport. Actually, a close friend from primary school introduced me to boxing and I have never looked back,” said Gabuza.
He has won several medals before, but this gold medal was a big achievement for him.
Gabuza also likes to play chess and he won the junior national SA chess championship in 2016.
He added no time will be wasted as he has already started preparing to qualify for the 2024 Olympics and hopes to take part in the Commonwealth Games to be held later this year.
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