Taekwondo breaks Botswana's medal duck
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday August 23, 2019 11:40
The 16-year-old Kula came from behind to win against her seasoned opponent from Tunisia. Taekwando instructor, Gladys Njoroge told Mmegi Sport yesterday that the achievement emanates from hard work and patience.
Taekwondo went to the Games as an underdog and were competing for only the second time.
“We prepared for the competition locally and we were not even sure if we would be selected to travel to Morocco,” she said.
“We trained six hours a day from Monday to Friday for two months. Our main aim was to train for the Olympic (Games) qualifiers to be hosted by Morocco in February.”
Njoroge said taekwondo did not have an opportunity to train outside the country or to get anybody from outside to assist.
Regarding Kula, Njoroge said she has been part of Powerhouse Club since she was six. Her international debut came during the Youth Games held in Algeria in 2018. The African Games are her second international competition.
“She has a good record so far, winning medals in senior categories of 46kg, 49kg and 53kg respectively,” added Njoroge.
The chef de mission, Bobby Gaseitsiwe said it is their wish to see the country do better than the 2015 Games where Botswana finished 14th with 15 medals, which were three gold, three silver and nine bronze.
He said Botswana has prepared well, but it would not be easy.
“So far so good. The mood in the camp is comforting, the athletes are in good spirits and they are putting a lot of effort in what they are doing,” he said.
Gaseitsiwe said Kula impressed him against a seasoned opponent from Tunisia. He said swimming has done well on the first day and they expect good results in the coming days.
“Boxing did not disappoint as two boxers won their bouts with good margins to qualify for the second round,” he said.
Mmusi Tswiigi won through a technical knockout with an injury (TKOI) against Silva Carlos from Cape Verde.
Mahommed Rajab Otukile proceeded to the second round after winning his bout through a unanimous decision against Nestor Thomas of Namibia in the 52kg flyweight.
Meanwhile, the swimming team of Naomi Ruele (100m freestyle), Caitlin Madison (200m butterfly and Adrian Robinson (50m breaststroke) failed to win medals. Madison finished in position nine with a time of 2:47:62.
The United States-based Ruele finished in position six clocking 58.77. Robinson finished eighth clocking 28.97. Other codes at the games are athletics, weightlifting, karate, chess, volleyball, tennis and cycling. Botswana has sent a delegation of 98 athletes and 36 officials.