Mosupiemang’s ambitious karate journey
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday June 23, 2025 06:00
On the rise: Mosupiemang
Mosupiemang’s rapid rise in karate began in 2009 in Gantsi and has now come full circle, as he sets his sights on the 2025 World Karate Championships — the highest level of competition organised by the World Karate Federation (WKF). The tournament will be held in Egypt in November. Mosupiemang is known for his elaborate celebrations whenever he hits the target during a fight. He told MmegiSport that he grew up watching martial arts movies and that led him to becoming a karateka. “I started training in karate in 2009 at Itekeng Junior Secondary School in Gantsi. In 2010, I relocated to Gaborone, unfortunately I had to take a break because there was no karate at Mogoditshane Junior Secondary School when I was doing Form 1. I got back to training when I was doing Form 2, when karate was introduced by JKA Botswana chief instructor, Sensei Solly Nageng,” he said.
Mosupiemang said there was stiff competition during the 2013 BISA karate matches that included the likes of Teto Wakwena, Olorato Mokgatla, Centy Kgosikoma, and Thabang Setshego. “I was interested in how they were doing things, so I inquired (about) where they were training. They informed me that it was at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks. One of the days I joined their training. In the beginning I was training wearing a Kaizer Chiefs t-shirt because I could not afford to buy the karate attire,” he said. Mosupiemang said by then there was only one karate club, SSKB, but later it separated and Kofukan and Hayashi were formed. “I decided to join Hayashi because I was impressed by the success of the club. I won a bronze medal at the 2015 Botswana Games. My first international break came in 2018 at the Africa Karate Championships (UFAK) in Rwanda where I won a silver medal. I was fighting in individual kumite -75kg. It was my first time in the national level after being dropped from the team four years in a row,” he said. Mosupiemang revealed that there was always conflict every time when he qualified for the national team until the late Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) head of technical, Mission Mereyotlhe, intervened. He explained that during UFAK competition, he lost to the current World champion, Abdalla Abdelaziz, from Egypt.
“I have been in the national team since 2018 until now. It has been nine years back-to-back. After winning the UFAK 2018 silver medal, I was ranked number five and Ofentse Bakwadi was ranked number four. We attempted to qualify for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. For us to maintain those rankings, we needed to compete at events such as Karate-1 Premier League, which served as an Olympic qualifier,” he said. Mosupiemang’s dream was dashed, as he was unable to compete at the Karate-1 Premier League due to financial constraints. “That means my rankings dropped, and I failed to qualify for the Olympics. I hope in future there will be support from government for us to qualify,” he added. The Lobatse-born Mosupiemang said some of the toughest matches he has competed in were against Abdelaziz and Said Oubaya from Morocco during the UFAK 2022 final. “My plan this year is to qualify for the World Karate Championships. I also want to win a gold medal in every competition that I attend. I recently won a gold medal at the UFAK Region V in Durban. Next week we are going to Angola. It is a team event, which will prepare me for the UFAK Championships that will be held in Nigeria in July,” said the 28-year-old. Mosupiemang explained that when he qualifies for World Karate Championships, he automatically will be in the top 100, which makes him eligible to compete in the Karate-1 Premier League.
He said his wish is to be the Premier grand winner in the -75kg category. The reigning champion is Abdelaziz and Mosupiemang’s intention is to defeat the champ. He said if he pulls off the win, he will retire from karate. “After UFAK there will be Karate Series A, which I want to attend. I always celebrate when I score a point, because it is an achievement. It is also a way to motivate myself,” he said. Mosupiemang explained that it is not easy being in the national team because the squad is always trimmed due to lack of funds. He said despite his achievements, the BNSC incentives policy is demoralising as karatekas are never rewarded. “It is difficult for karate championships including UFAK to attract the number of countries required by the policy in order for us to receive incentives. It is time that policy is reviewed,” he said.
His coach, Ofentse Bakwadi, acknowledges that Mosupiemang is a rare talent. “He is a two-time senior African -75kg finalist. Losing only to World -75kg number one, Abdelaziz in both instances. He has a lot of potential, he still has a bright future ahead of him,” he said. Bakwadi said Mosupiemang listens and executes well when coached and he is able to apply himself in the ring.
Mosupiemang said there was stiff competition during the 2013 BISA karate matches that included the likes of Teto Wakwena, Olorato Mokgatla, Centy Kgosikoma, and Thabang Setshego. “I was interested in how they were doing things, so I inquired (about) where they were training. They informed me that it was at Sir Seretse Khama Barracks. One of the days I joined their training. In the beginning I was training wearing a Kaizer Chiefs t-shirt because I could not afford to buy the karate attire,” he said. Mosupiemang said by then there was only one karate club, SSKB, but later it separated and Kofukan and Hayashi were formed. “I decided to join Hayashi because I was impressed by the success of the club. I won a bronze medal at the 2015 Botswana Games. My first international break came in 2018 at the Africa Karate Championships (UFAK) in Rwanda where I won a silver medal. I was fighting in individual kumite -75kg. It was my first time in the national level after being dropped from the team four years in a row,” he said. Mosupiemang revealed that there was always conflict every time when he qualified for the national team until the late Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) head of technical, Mission Mereyotlhe, intervened. He explained that during UFAK competition, he lost to the current World champion, Abdalla Abdelaziz, from Egypt.
“I have been in the national team since 2018 until now. It has been nine years back-to-back. After winning the UFAK 2018 silver medal, I was ranked number five and Ofentse Bakwadi was ranked number four. We attempted to qualify for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. For us to maintain those rankings, we needed to compete at events such as Karate-1 Premier League, which served as an Olympic qualifier,” he said. Mosupiemang’s dream was dashed, as he was unable to compete at the Karate-1 Premier League due to financial constraints. “That means my rankings dropped, and I failed to qualify for the Olympics. I hope in future there will be support from government for us to qualify,” he added. The Lobatse-born Mosupiemang said some of the toughest matches he has competed in were against Abdelaziz and Said Oubaya from Morocco during the UFAK 2022 final. “My plan this year is to qualify for the World Karate Championships. I also want to win a gold medal in every competition that I attend. I recently won a gold medal at the UFAK Region V in Durban. Next week we are going to Angola. It is a team event, which will prepare me for the UFAK Championships that will be held in Nigeria in July,” said the 28-year-old. Mosupiemang explained that when he qualifies for World Karate Championships, he automatically will be in the top 100, which makes him eligible to compete in the Karate-1 Premier League.
He said his wish is to be the Premier grand winner in the -75kg category. The reigning champion is Abdelaziz and Mosupiemang’s intention is to defeat the champ. He said if he pulls off the win, he will retire from karate. “After UFAK there will be Karate Series A, which I want to attend. I always celebrate when I score a point, because it is an achievement. It is also a way to motivate myself,” he said. Mosupiemang explained that it is not easy being in the national team because the squad is always trimmed due to lack of funds. He said despite his achievements, the BNSC incentives policy is demoralising as karatekas are never rewarded. “It is difficult for karate championships including UFAK to attract the number of countries required by the policy in order for us to receive incentives. It is time that policy is reviewed,” he said.
His coach, Ofentse Bakwadi, acknowledges that Mosupiemang is a rare talent. “He is a two-time senior African -75kg finalist. Losing only to World -75kg number one, Abdelaziz in both instances. He has a lot of potential, he still has a bright future ahead of him,” he said. Bakwadi said Mosupiemang listens and executes well when coached and he is able to apply himself in the ring.
Full names: Gofaone Quinton Mosupiemang
Date of birth: June 10, 1997
Place of birth: Lobatse
Profession: Karate
Clubs: SSKB Champions Karate Club and Active Africa
Hobbies: Playing chess
Role models: Khaya Groth and Ofentse Bakwadi
Achievements: 2025 UFAK Region V -75kg gold medalist, UFAK two-time finalist