Mogopa aims to emulate departed coach
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday December 1, 2025 06:00
Itsubo was a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) who had been working to develop judo in Botswana. He was highly regarded in the local sporting community, as evidenced by the naming of the national judo dojo in his honour. One student developed by Itsubo from a young age is Gavin Mogopa, who went on to become one of the country's most successful judokas.
He intends to emulate Itsubo by becoming a coach following career-affecting injuries that forced him to focus primarily on academics.
The judoka had an opportunity to train at the same facility where Itsubo trained at, Tokai University, after securing a scholarship from the Japanese Olympic Committee. The opportunity was also intended to assist him in qualifying for the 2020 Olympics.
He qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Games before suffering a sprain or tear of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).
Mogopa told Mmegi Sport that judo has done a lot for him and it is only right to give back through coaching, adding that he could still represent the country as a judoka.
However, the judoka noted that sport is not only about competition but also brings other opportunities, such as carving out career paths.
“Most of the time, sportspeople are regarded as having no interest in other areas like education. For me, that is different. I have made a decision to focus on my studies to the point where I self-funded to attain a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree.
“I think we have a lot of athletes with potential to venture into career paths that will help shape the economy and create a new direction for the country,” he explained.
The Olympian benefited from the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) Elite Scholarship in 2020 to study for a Degree in Sport Management at Cardiff University.
Mogopa has represented Botswana at the Youth Olympic Games (2014), Rio 2016 Olympics and numerous African and international competitions, including winning the African Judo Open in 2018.
He finished third at the Welsh Judo Open medallist in 2024 after returning from injury. His journey from a young national champion to a globally recognised athlete and now a business graduate reflects a rare combination of discipline, leadership and innovation.
Mogopa, 29, said he aims to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Director of Sport Management Agency and co-founder of WeCho Trust, Tsoseletso Magang, stated that Mogopa has been actively engaging with the youth, teaching, guiding, and pushing them to secure careers and prepare them for life after sport.
“He has been an example to our young athletes, not just on the mat, but in how he carries himself professionally,” Magang said.
Olympian and Commonwealth medallist, Karabo Sibanda, added that Mogopa has assisted many athletes to better understand the digital industry.
Sibanda explained that he was part of a boot camp organised by Mogopa.
The camp attracted 30 participants, promoting technology, online careers and potential transitions from sport into the technology world.