THREE local judokas from Bloemfontein beat all odds to win prestigious medals at the International Commonwealth Judo Games staged in Port Elizabeth.
Lichaba Louw, Fortune Molebatsi and Gavin Mojafi scooped silver and bronze medals, respectively.
The trio of the Kodo Judo Club in Batho, Bloemfontein, are proud of their achievement at the international competition during the long weekend at the end of April.
They revealed that they had made it in spite of having had to pay out of their own pockets and even having had to borrow money to cover expenses for the tournament, this despite the fact that they had represented their province (Free State) and South Africa at this international competition.
Each of them had to pay R6 000 in order to represent their province and their country.
They rose to the occasion, however, despite these financial difficulties and managed to bring home prestigious medals. The trio competed in senior divisions.
“Our wins gave us courage and motivation despite not being supported in any form while representing the province and the country,” Louw said.
The trio have now set their sights on the 2018 International Commonwealth Games with the lead-u competition scheduled for October in Johannesburg.
All three had previously represented South Africa in different international competitions.
The three club members have already been hard at work preparing young judokas who are still attending school, for the upcoming championships that are to be staged during the school holidays.
The club members train at the Caleb Motshabi Sport Centre in Batho, Bloemfontein.
