Mmegi

Mogopa aims to emulate departed coach

Mogopa
Mogopa

A tragedy befell Botswana Judo Federation (BJF) when the Japanese coach, Sensei Keisuke Itsubo, died following a freak accident at Table Mountain in 2014.

Itsubo was a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) who had been working to develop judo in Botswana. He was highly regarded in the local sporting community, as evidenced by the naming of the national judo dojo in his honour. One student developed by Itsubo from a young age is Gavin Mogopa, who went on to become one of the country's most successful judokas.

He intends to emulate Itsubo by becoming a coach following career-affecting injuries that forced him to focus primarily on academics.

Editor's Comment
Doping needs our collective action

As such, we are now one step away from the shame of being labelled amongst the world’s worst offenders. This is a national embarrassment that demands an immediate, united response from every corner of our society. Pointing fingers is useless, we must all hold up our hands and play our part in the dealing with this matter.To our government and the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC), the call is for the to adopt decisive leadership and...

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