Karate To Revise Selection Criteria
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday February 20, 2017 15:21
BOKA president, David Mathe told Monitor Sport after the first leg of the senior team selection that the current criteria needs to be revised. He said in some instances, karetaks who finish first are not necessarily the best. He said it might be that a good player is having a bad day and finish in a position other than first. “We might find ourselves in a situation whereby we leave out our best karatekas. I have had a discussion with the technical commission about revising the criteria. We should select based on position and assessment. Going forward, we have to look into that,” he said.
The upset of the competition was the final of the men’s under 60kg category between Thabang Setshego of Hayashi Ha and Tshwaragano Mahokole of Kofukan-SSKB Kofukan. Setshego came into the match as the favourite despite suffering an injury due to a muscle pull last weekend. Mahokole showed little respect for his opponent, dealing away with all threats thrown at him. He told Monitor Sport that he had prepared well for the bout.
“It was a difficult match. My opponent was all over me and I applied the techniques that I was taught by my coach. I made sure that he does not repeat the same thing he did during the junior team selection. I knew that it is not easy to win against Setshego,” Mahokole said.
Meanwhile, Tsholofelo Maduma of Kofukan-SSG club made an impressive return from injury, winning the women’s under 68 category. Second position went to Lebogang Motswela, Dinakwe Tlhoolebe finished third followed by Rejoice Mothibi.
Maduma said she had gained weight after the injury lay-off and had to compete in a new category.
“I have been a light-weight before the injury and now I was thrown into the deep (end) but I did well. I used my experience rather than technique. I am still nursing an injury because I am not fully recovered,” she said.
The second leg of the selection is scheduled for Mahalapye on March 3 while finals will be held in Gaborone on March 17.