Local judoka reap the fruit of dedication and hard work
Three Judoka from Doryoku Judo Academy, Tegan Malherbe, Kylie van der Merwe and CJ Schutte were selected to represent South Africa in the Region 5 Games to be held in Malawi.
Judo, an Olympic sport, is slowly but surely finding its feet again in South Africa and all over the world after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Several judoka from Doryoku Judo Academy based in Roodekrans and all clubs around the country had to overcome great disappointments after qualifying for national colours and then being denied the opportunity to validate their colours due to several international tournaments being scrapped.
The judoka from Doryoku Judo Academy once again lived up to the statement “If I fall twice, I will get up three times”.
The local dojo had four contestants tàking part in the South African Open Judo Championships at the Nelson Mandela University Missionvale Campus in Gqeberha on June 25 and 26.
Judoka who took part in kumite (fighting) and kata (forms) were outstanding and received recognition.
Danie Bruwer, head coach of Doryoku Judo Academy, is very proud of the results of the Doryoku members who represented Joburg Judo (District) at this prestigious event.
Curro Krugersdorp High School learner, Ruben Cordier won a silver medal in kumite and a bronze medal in kata.
The Grade 11 learner also qualified to participate in the African Judo Championships for Cadets (judoka aged 15 to 17 years), that took place in Nairobi, Kenya on July 20 and 21.
He won a bronze medal at this event and the SA Cadet Team of which he is a member also won a bronze medal. According to coach Danie, Ruben is one of the most promising stars at Doryoku Judo Academy.
Kylie van der Merwe of Hoërskool Florida attended her first SA Open Judo Tournament and walked away with a silver medal in the under 70kg and a bronze in +70kg Cadet (judoka aged 15 to 17 years) divisions. The Grade 9 learner showed great fighting spirit by completing and winning her last fight of the tournament despite having suffered a knee injury. Displaying great potential as a competitor, Kylie was also selected to represent South Africa at the Region 5 Games from December 2 to 12.
Keagan Marais and Jayden Groenewald took part in the Group 3 Division (ages 13 and 14 years) and both won two and lost two fights. Coach Danie believes that these two youngsters will still develop to be formidable fighters in the future.
Teagan Malherbe who is a student at the University of Pretoria and a member of Tukkies Judo Club who also represented Tshwane at the SA Open Judo Tournament remains a member of Doryoku Judo Academy.
Tegan won a silver medal in Under 63kg Junior Ladies (judoka aged 18 to 20 years) and a gold medal in Under 63 Senior Womens’ division (judoka aged 21 and older).
She represented South Africa, as part of the SA Team, at the African Junior Championships in Nairobi on July 23 to 24 and obtained a 7th position in the individuals. After obtaining a third position in the Team tournament, Tegan was also selected to represent South Africa at the Region 5 Games from December 2 to 12.
Three judoka from Doryoku Judo Academy, Tegan, Kylie and CJ Schutte were selected to represent South Africa in the Region 5 Games to be held in Malawi.
Coach Danie said he is very proud of his Judo Gladiators, and emphasised that the judoka who persisted through Covid-19 and some disappointing times with events being cancelled are now reaping the fruit of their dedication and hard work.
