“If it wasn’t for judo, I would be doing drugs on the side of the road.”
So says Hlobanisa Bobi, a 19-year-old judoka from the Eastern Cape. He recently represented Team SA at the Region 5 Youth Games in Windhoek, Namibia. There, he fought through the pain of a dislocated thumb to win bronze. The mental fortitude displayed in that fight showcased his relentless desire to become the best version of himself. He shared his story with MARK LEMKE after his courageous effort on the mat.
“Everyone calls me by my surname. I have met a lot of people through judo and many struggle to say my name, so I have started to introduce myself as Bobi.”
Bobi grew up in KwaZakhele township in Nelson Mandela Bay in with his parents and sister. “My family were supportive from the beginning of my judo career and the love they gave me always made me feel safe and encouraged. Outside of home it was a rough environment but fortunately my uncle introduced me to judo.”
The wide-smiling judoka’s uncle was the catalyst for his sporting career, leading him onto the mat for the first time in 2013. “My uncle ran the local dojo. He saw potential in me and taught me to work hard and be passionate. He instilled humbleness and discipline through training. I try to carry those lessons with me every day.”
Bobi looks back on his time Gqeberha with appreciation for the positive people around him and his discovery of judo. However, he has grappled with the thought of the alternative.
“Judo steered me away from bad influences like drugs. I would come home from school and head straight to training. A lot of the people I know from back then are sitting on the side of the road smoking and I could be there too. I am so glad I found this sport and so grateful for those who pushed me to pursue it.”
His grounding was clear to see in his Region 5 performances. His passion and hard-working nature shone through in his bout for bronze.
“I dislocated my thumb with a minute to go. I was ahead by a point, and in that moment, I thought about my family and my coach. It was painful, but I had something to hold onto and I refused to give up. The pain was worth it when I heard the final gong.”
That fight encompasses Bobi. He has a relentless hunger to become greater. He is now in his first year at the University of Pretoria (Tuks) on a sports bursary and he is upping his training and studying to become a teacher.
“I love it at Tuks. My coach, Charne Griesel, has been incredible and is always inspiring me to reach new heights. I want to pursue a professional career in judo and create a legacy in the sport, but it is not completely in my control. This is a brutal sport. One injury can end your career, so it is important to have something to fall back on.
“I want to become a history teacher. I love learning about how we got to where we are and why. I would like to inspire children with that passion to understand where they come from and why they are where they are.”
Bobi feels strongly that his story has just begun. He believes, “life is under no obligation to give us what we expect. There will always be hardships, even in your success.” This idea motivates him to keep going and he hopes to leave a legacy of living proof that no matter where you come from or what you are faced with, you can achieve your dreams.
He is currently in Luanda, Angola, looking for a medal at the African Cadets Championships. From there, he will continue to work towards events such as World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and the Olympics.
The young star from KwaZakhele has the judo world at his fingertips and healed thumb and the discipline, work ethic, and passion he displays daily inspires confidence that he can grab it.
Photo: Frennie Shivambu
