For Dominique Kyriacou, discipline is not simply about following a training schedule. It is about turning up, putting in the work and continuing to push yourself even when you do not feel like it.

That mindset has helped the NeoKo Judo athlete make her mark at the National Judo Championships, where she was rewarded with a medal after months of preparation.

“I was happy and proud of myself. It felt good to see all the hard work I’d put into training pay off.”

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Her preparation for the championships extended beyond the dojo.
“I trained consistently at NeoKo Judo and did gym at school. My coaches made sure we were all physically and emotionally prepared for our fights, which helped a lot.”

Among the people who have had the biggest influence on her journey are her coaches, sensei Neo Mogase-Williams and sensei Koketso Rammutla.

Dominique said their belief in her and their commitment to helping her improve have made a lasting impression.

“My coaches, sensei Neo and sensei Koketso, have inspired me the most. They have always pushed me to improve, believed in me, and helped me become a better judoka. I look up to them and their judo.”

Her understanding of discipline has also developed through judo.

“Judo has taught me that discipline means showing up even when you don’t feel like it, staying committed to your goals, and always giving your best effort.”

When it comes to training, Dominique particularly enjoys Randori because it allows her to take what she has learnt and test it against an opponent.

“My favourite part of training is Randori because it gives me a chance to put the techniques that I learn in practice into an actual fighting setting,” Dominique said.

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But the National Championships are only one part of Dominique’s ambitions. She now wants to take the next step in her competitive journey by winning gold at an African Cup.

“I would like to get an African Cup gold medal in the near future, and I would like to perfect the judo techniques that I have been working on in training and apply them to my fighting in competitions,” she said.

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