At least three WSU boxers will have an opportunity to duke it out for national colours this coming October following their impressive exploits at a provincial boxing tournament held in Peddie recently.
The trio, who won gold at the EC Provincial Boxing Championships and subsequently qualified for the Youth and Elite National Boxing Championships set to take place in Cape Town from 5-9 October, will compete against the country’s best in a competition that will see a total of 50 gold medals up for grabs.
“The team worked incredibly hard for these championships through difficult times because most of them had to juggle their academic work with the demanding schedule of training ahead of a competition that could propel them to the national championships. The team however showed great commitment and were committed to training,” said WSU BCC Boxing coach Mlandeli Mngqibisa.
Central to the team’s success at the provincial competition was adequate preparation - a training regimen that focused on building strength, cultivating endurance, upping speed and fine-tuning coordination.
Team captain Inako Hintsha, who boxed his way to top honours following a second-round knockout in his third and final fight in the 64 kg division, was ecstatic about his and the team’s overall performance in the tournament.
“This gold medal will do wonders for my confidence as a boxer and will build momentum heading into the national championships in a few months’ time. I’m very proud of myself because I worked very hard in training, fought my heart out in the ring, and showed my talent,” said Hintsha.
His counterpart and silver medallist, Lisolethu Bangani, who lost in the gold medal fight to an experienced and formidable three-time national championship, said she was overwhelmed at the thought of being one of the top boxers in the Eastern Cape.
Her achievement is even more astounding in light of the fact that just two years ago during her first year, Bangani, as she herself describes, was “lazy” and demotivated – characteristics that have since dissipated with time as she prepares for yet another USSA tournament set to take place in Durban this December.
“I’m excited for the upcoming USSA games where I’ll be showcasing my talent and measuring myself up against the best in the country. The best thing I’m doing at the moment is training hard, and I hope my hard work will pay off and see me bringing back a medal in December,” said Bangani.
First-year Building student Lutho Gigi, who pummelled four opponents on his way to the 67kg welterweight top position, attributes his success to discipline in and dedication to training, ability to follow tactical and technical instructions, as well as his ten-year experience as a boxer.
Gigi, born in Engcobo but raised in Cape Town, said he’s looking forward to heading back to the mother city to participate in the national championships.
“I feel so blessed and humbled to be heading to the national championships. I trust that through my hard work and dedication in training and preparation, I will be able to bring back a medal,” he said.
The third of the gold medallist who’ll represent WSU at the upcoming national tournament is Sanele Sogcayi.
- Thando Cezula