Setshego�s injury concerns BOKA
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday February 14, 2017 15:33
Setshego failed to make it to the finals of the Under 60kg category due to injury and he finished in fourth position. Tlotlang Theetso won the Under 60kg category with Tumisang Kemolathe in second while Vincent Magalie finished third.
BOKA public relations officer, Sensei Jerry Ditlhong told Mmegi Sport that they are concerned about the injury. He said they hope Setshego would recover well in time so that he can be able to fight for a slot in the senior national team qualifiers on Saturday. He said the absence of Setshego in the national team would be a blow. “Setshego is expected to defend his title at the Africa Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region Five (formally Zone VI Championship) in Mozambique in June. If he does not make it in the team, then for sure our medal count would go down. We pray that he would compete over the weekend,” he said.
Ditlhong said the procedure is that when an athlete is Under 21, he is permitted to be included in both the junior and senior national teams. For his part, Setshego said he is recovering well and expects to compete on Saturday. He revealed that he picked the injury up during a tour of Hong Kong last year.
“I have been nursing my hamstring and I made a mistake by kicking during one of the bouts. The kick strained my muscle, but I am feeling much better,” he said.
The young karate sensation has been in good form since the 2014 Gaborone Africa Youth Games.
Meanwhile, Ditlhong said he was impressed by the number of juniors who attended the weekend qualifiers. He said the sport is appealing to young people and that makes parents happy because karate teaches discipline.
“We had a huge turn up hence the qualifiers were held over two weekends. The finals, which would be attended by karatekas from north and south are slated for Gaborone on February 25. The winners from all categories would be included in the national teams (juniors and seniors),” Ditlhong said.
Selected weekend results:
Women: Under 21 (Under 50kg) 1. Neo Moepi, 2. Wathuto Maake, 3. Olorato Gare, 4. Barati Tshito. (Under 55kg) 1. Gaone Mothoyomotona, 2. Nametso Nthobatsang, 3. Oampata Gakemokgothu, 4. Tshenolo Motswagole.
Men: Under 21 (Under 67kg) 1. Teto Wakwena, 2. Thebe Duna, 3, Obonwe Tshupoeng, 4. Titus Ponatshego.
(Over 75kg) 1. Quinton Mosiemang, 2. Kago Gosalamang, 3. Tlotlang Ponatshego and 4. Omogolo Lekaukau.