Lebang�s judo star shines
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday July 11, 2014 11:54
The Form Four student at Naledi Senior Secondary School in Gaborone says he grew up with a soft spot for sports. Just like any Motswana youngster, football was the dominant sport in his neighbourhood.
But he was not good at soccer and his friends used to tease him. In some instances, fights broke-out and that is why decided to join karate when he was a pupil at Philip Moshotle Primary School. However, he did not entirely like karate and moved to judo after joining Maoka Junior Secondary School.
“I have always dreamt of representing my country one day and getting selected to represent Botswana at the Africa Youth Games (AYG) was a blessing.
I participated in the South Africa Judo Championships before the Youth Games and walked away with a silver medal,” said Lebang. He took part in the Africa Judo Union and Cadet for Juniors Championships held in Tunisia but did not perform well due to a hip injury. Then he shifted focus to the AYG where the team was drilled by a Japanese coach.
“I was scared in the first match of the tournament and that is why I was beaten. I had the power but my opponent was good technically. The next fight I won and pushed for a bronze medal. In the team event we won gold,” says Lebang. He used the AYG to gauge how far he had come in the game. Lebang was drafted into the Botswana team, which travelled to Port Elizabeth for the South Africa Championships. The team’s coach, sensei Kgosipula Kaupa said the youngster has the discipline and determination to succeed. He says Lebang is a fast learner. Kaupa says the exploits of Lebang at the AYG gave judo a marketing platform and the long-term plan is to groom players to be coaches and officials.