Brooks has her sights firmly set on the Olympics

CHRISTÉL Brooks, the Kwazulu-natal taekwondo fighter, is determined to capture higher honours after her promising career was interrupted by an ankle injury which has sidelined her for just under two years.

Brooks alerted the country to her talent when she won two gold medals at the tournament in Pretoria in August 2018 when the cream of South Africa competed as well as seasoned fighters from Zimbabwe, Kenya and Botswana.

She was the only fighter to win two golds after excelling in two different women’s categories.

At the outset, Brooks, who is a student at the University of Pretoria, did not want to participate in a sport only to make up the numbers. She chose taekwondo, a Korean martial art, and never regretted the decision.

The extended recovery period as a result of the national lockdown has given her chance to move well beyond the rehabilitation phase and she’s ready to return to action. Her 2018 gold medals feats have fired her enthusiasm and she’s ready to conquer Africa so that she’ll be in line to secure a passage to the Olympic Games next year.

“Taekwondo has also taught me self-discipline by strengthening mind and body. The sport is also big on respect for yourself and others. You even learn to appreciate your environment,” said Brooks.

In the absence of competition as a result of the novel coronavirus Covid-19, Brooks has continued to train hard as she felt her self-esteem improved through the heightening of her physical and mental powers. She has got more confidence and has learned to take control of her life.

There is also the benefit of learning self-defence and enjoying the whole taekwondo package. She says it is comforting to know that when she feels threatened techniques that she has learnt, automatically “kicks” in.

“People often might think we just kick for the sake of kicking, but that is not so,” said Brooks. “In senior competitions, there is a plan with each kick. You want to outwit your opponent.

“On the day, if you want to win you have to be genuinely competitive and that boils down to striking a balance between defence and attack.”

If Brooks does manage Olympic qualification, she’ll be the first SA woman to do so.