NeoKo Judo athlete Joshua Marais turned an early national championship defeat into a gold-medal comeback at the 2026 South African Open.

For Marais, judo is about far more than winning medals. It is a way of developing discipline, controlling his emotions, and learning to push through moments that test him.

His journey began with a simple goal. As a youngster with plenty of energy, Marais wanted to find a way to channel it while developing greater self-discipline. But his biggest inspiration has always been his faith.

Faith and determination on the mat

“The biggest inspiration for me is my faith,” Marais says. “I believe God gave me this path, and every time I step on the mat, I know He is with me. With God, everything is possible, and that gives me courage to keep going even when it’s hard.”

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That courage was put to the test at the National Championships when Marais’s team faced a particularly strong opponent in the early rounds.

Overcoming early defeat

“We lost badly to a really strong team in the early rounds,” Marais says.

With no time to dwell on the defeat, the teams met again in the finals, where Marais and his teammates had another opportunity to prove themselves.

This time, they overcame the intimidation and produced a remarkable turnaround, winning the tournament and earning the title of Champion of Champions at the 2026 South African Open.

For Marais, the experience reinforced one of the most important lessons judo has taught him.

“It taught me that losing isn’t the end. By staying focused and believing in ourselves, we turned things around. Facing the same team in the final and winning showed me the power of faith and persistence,” Marais says.

Growth beyond the sport

Judo has also changed the way Marais approaches life away from competition. He says the sport has made him more responsible and disciplined while teaching him how to manage his emotions “the gentle way”.

He credits his coaches, Senseis Neo Mogase-Williams and Koketso Rammutla, for playing an important role in his development.

“I am blessed to have Senseis Neo and Koketso, who always encourage me, believe in me and push me to reach my full potential. Their guidance, patience and belief in me have shaped not only my judo but also the way I carry myself in life,” Marais says.

Fighting through pressure

For Marais, one of the most memorable parts of the competition was watching his teammates fight through their own nerves and pressure.

“My favourite memory is that everyone in the team was fighting so hard even though we were nervous and under pressure.”

The moment they stood together after winning gold was even more special.

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“We were proud because we had faced our fears and fought with courage,” Marais says.

His experience has left him with a message for other young athletes who dream of competing at the national level: do not let the possibility of losing stop you from trying.

“Don’t be afraid of losing. Every challenge makes you stronger. Train hard, respect your coaches and teammates, and most importantly, be yourself and stay authentic,” Marais says.

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