The Team SA judo squad concluded their Region 5 Youth Games campaign with a bronze medal in the mixed team event, taking their total score of medals to eight, writes Mark Lemke in Windhoek.
They were faced with a tough draw at the Windhoek Showgrounds, where they first took on Botswana in the quarter-finals. Team SA overcame Botswana and were then up against Angola in the semi-finals. Unfortunately, Angola ended the team’s gold medal hopes, leaving the squad with a battle against Malawi for the bronze.
The South African judokas pulled off a clean sweep against Malawi, winning all six fights. Notably, Emma Kemp pulled off a huge win in the -57kg category, despite her actual weight division being the -52kg.
The roster of Levon Gyulinyan, Hlobanisa Bobi, Sinqobile Shongwe, Catalina de Oliveira, Kemp, and Tamsyn-Lee Stead, all embraced on the mat after the win, highlighting the close connection they have established in the Namibian capital.
Team captain, Gyulinyan, offered his reflection on the Region 5 experience, “We have grown so close as a group over the past week. I think we are the most supportive team you can find.
“It has been a privilege to fight alongside these amazing people. We have African Championships coming up soon in Angola, and we are hungry to get the best of the hosts when the time comes.”
The coach of this strongly bonded team, Allardyce Fulton, said: “It has been an unforgettable experience watching these guys come together and support each other in the manner they have.
“I am proud to be their coach. They deserve all the credit for the results they have had. Their hard work has paid off and I am sure they will all have gold around their necks very soon.”
Photo: Frennie Shivambu
