What being the best means for judo champion Whitebooi
NINETEEN-year-old Geronay Whitebooi not only aspires to become the best female judoka in South Africa, but also to use her sport as a means to improve her family’s standard of living.
Judging by her results she is well on her way to achieving these goals.
At the weekend, Whitebooi, from Gauteng North, won the senior and junior titles in the under-48kg category at the South African Open Championships in Stellenbosch. When asked when last she lost a fight in a local tournament, she said: “I think I have been unbeaten for the past three, maybe four, years.”
Whitebooi admits her results do not tell the whole story.
“Things have not always been as easy as my results might reflect. My toughest opponent has always been myself. I have to overcome my stress and get into the right mind-set before I step onto the mat and that is not always so easy. But if I manage to do that, nothing can stop me.
“What certainly counts in my favour is that I am a very strong girl for the weight category I am competing in. However, I have no idea how good I really am because I have very limited international experience.”
Whitebooi made the most of the opportunity she had in 2013 to compete internationally by winning the under-44kg category and the under-48kg category for Under-17 girls at the US Open.
“I certainly owe much to Nikola Filipov, our coach at Tuks/HPC. He is undoubtedly the best. He literally gets onto the mat and shows us the best way to do the moves and he also fights with us to show us how to use this knowledge. He is constantly passing on his knowledge of judo, as well as of life, because just like we want the best for ourselves, he wants the best for us.”
Whitebooi considers the Olympian judoka, Jacques van Zyl, and her mom as her role models. “Jacques is very strong minded. When he really puts his mind on something, he gives everything to achieve it.
“What I admire about my mom is that she is a real fighter who never gives up. When my dad passed away my mom had to take over the roles of both parents. It was a challenge to her then and it still is. She always does her best to provide for us, even though she does not have a proper job. In spite of this she finds a way to put food on the table.
“I love judo but with this love comes a great responsibility to work hard to get somewhere. For me judo is a means to make something of my life so that I will one day be able to provide for my family. Although I might not be able to give them the world, I will certainly make sure that their standard of living improves.
“My ultimate goal is to represent SAat the 2020 Olympic Games and go on to become the best female judoka our country has ever had.” – ANA