4 REGION 5 GOLD, 2 SILVER MEDALS FOR ESWATINI

MBABANE – Taekwondo and boxing have done it for Eswatini in the 2020 AUSC Region 5 Games in Maseru, Lesotho.

AUSC stands for African Union Sports Council. The two disciplines have won seven medals in a space of two days and include four gold and two silver medals as well as one bronze. The gold and bronze come from Taekwondo. On Tuesday, 14-year-olds in Hlelo Vilakati, Sifiso Phiwayinkhosi Dlamini and Kimberly Dlamini were on the podium for their gold medals while 15-year-old Gcinumuzi Nxumalo got bronze.

Yesterday, taekwondo artist Sihlelewe Matsebula added a fourth gold while two boxers in Veliswa Magaya and Bafo Dladla lost their bouts and received silver medals. It is understood Matsebula defeated an Angolan rival, but her name was not confirmed at the time of this report. The boxers Magaya and Dladla fought against Zambia and South Africa’s Elizabeth Phiri and Tisetso Matikinga.

Decision

Magaya lost on a split decision as judges ruled 3-2 in Phiri’s favour. She had reached this stage after a walkover win against Botswana’s Mmeriki Nametsegang on Monday in the semi-finals. The fight with Phiri was bout four and started at 2pm yesterday.  Meanwhile, Dladla did not finish his bout as the referee stopped the contest in round one, much to the disappointment of the Eswatini team and supporters who watched the match, including Zebra Force Boxing Club Coach Maxwell Ngwenya.

The South African boxer Matikinga punished Dladla from the onset, which prompted the referee to stop the match to protect the local boxer from sustaining damaging blows. It was a heated bout for Dladla as his opponent won his previous bouts on knockout before stepping into the ring to claim the ultimate prize. Despite the defeat, coach Ngwenya, applauded them for their hard work and exceptional performances.

“Both our boxers did well. Their performances were one of the best especially for Veliswa, knowing that the girl-child has special needs as opposed to the males who get a lot of support. It’s painful to lose and she was disappointed but it’s the beginning of good things. We are so excited and proud to have a female boxer getting this achievement in Southern Africa,” he said while adding that there was room for improvement for Dladla whose bout was cut short in the first round. Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council (ESRC) Communications Officer Dumisani Ntiwane also congratulated the athletes.

Visionary

“We have come of age as a country. We have always been saying it that it is gold we are chasing and our athletes have not disappointed. This is the start of good things to come for the country as we have dedicated athletes. We also have a visionary leader in ESRC CE Darius Dlomo, who took the decision to invest heavily in our youth and his efforts are now paying dividends,” Ntiwane said. He congratulated both the taekwondo and boxing athletes for hoisting the country’s flag.  “We are extremely proud of the pugilists’ showing. They have added to our medal haul,” Ntiwane said.

The country’s Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga had also congratulated the athletes for their historic achievement noting it was the first time we won gold in Region 5 Games. The team is expected to return home before the end of the week.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: