Lebang�s judo star shines

Star on the rise: Lebang (center) grabbed golf at the Youth Games: PIC PRESS PHOTO
Star on the rise: Lebang (center) grabbed golf at the Youth Games: PIC PRESS PHOTO

From the surface, Thato Lebang looks harmless. However, the shy-looking judoka transforms into an aggressive being the moment he steps on the tatami. The 18-year-old caused shock waves when he grabbed gold during the Africa Youth Games in Gaborone in May.

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.

Editor's Comment
Human rights are sacred

It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

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