Times of Eswatini

Judokas off to Turkiye next year

- BY MELUSI MKHABELA

MBABANE – A 12-day empowermen­t internatio­nal trip abroad is lined up for judokas next year.

Eswatini Judo Federation Secretary General (SG) Tertius Esterhuyse­n announced a trip to Turkiye to be undertaken in September, next year.

Travelling with the Judokas are Senseis (instructor­s) Mashumi Sihlongony­ane and Lucky Metfula.

The instructor­s will be led by Esterhuyse­n.

The trip will include two stops in Istanbul and Ankara, both cities which were unaffected by the recent earthquake.

Expose

The trip, according to Esterhuyse­n, aims to expose children to better opportunit­ies they have no access to, on top of enjoying the experience that they cannot get locally.

It is further an overall developmen­t for their future in the sport.

“The success of this tour will be putting judo in Eswatini on another level,” said Esterhuyse­n.

Among others, judokas were selected based on national rankings, which were staged last year.

Attending the camps and gradings were among the requiremen­ts.

A confirmed shortlist of the judokas going on the Turkiye trip include Sinelwizi Lukhele from Usutu Forest, Sithandwa Mamba (Little School),Langelihle Ginidza (Premier) and Sinenkhosi Sikhondze (Bahai), to mention but a few.

The list may still change with the National rankings, internatio­nal competitio­ns and camps still to take place.

At least 14 supporters have also been confirmed for the trip.

The SG, on the other hand, assured that it would be a busy year for the sport.

Focus shifts to the national grading which will take place on February 25, this year, at The Little School.

On April 8, there is an internatio­nal competitio­n that will take place at same venue.

Invited countries are Mozambique, DR Congo, Botswana and South Africa.

A camp on March 25 at Hawane

LIST OF TRAVELLING JUDOKAS:

Sinelwizi Lukhele - Usutu Forest Sithandwa Mamba - Little School Langelihle Ginidza - Premier Sinenkhosi Sikhondze - Bahai

Palesa Olamini - Bahai

Ethan Thring - Montessori Zanokuhle Simelani - Usutu

Nasiso Tsabedze - UFS Siyandzisw­a Mamba - Little School Kusa Dlamini - Little School Solunathi Shabangu - Jabulile Nkosingivi­le Ouru - Premier Stukicie Kaparura - Usuthu

Kylie Dlamini - Usuthu Selusiwe Simelane - Jabulile Lakhile Nsibande - Jabulile Samketi Dlamini - Little School

Resort is also on the menu.

The competitio­n will help local judokas improve a few holds and technics like the Ippon seoi nage, a technique that throws your opponent over the right shoulder by breaking their balance forward and holding their right arm from the inside, with the right arm to carry them to their back, or the Uchi mata sukashi.

Fend

The latter technique is used to fend off the opponent’s Uchi mata sukashi attempt and throw him down. These are some of the technics that are commonly used inside the Dojo (judo practice area).

 ?? (Pic: Melusi Mkhabela) ?? Some of the judokas team members who will be going to Turkiye posing for a group picture yesterday afternoon at the Theatre Club in Mbabane.
(Pic: Melusi Mkhabela) Some of the judokas team members who will be going to Turkiye posing for a group picture yesterday afternoon at the Theatre Club in Mbabane.
 ?? (File pic) ?? Mbabane Swallows midfielder Kabia Mohammed (L) and Tambuti FC striker Issa Serry posing for a picture.
(File pic) Mbabane Swallows midfielder Kabia Mohammed (L) and Tambuti FC striker Issa Serry posing for a picture.

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