MBABANE – Eswatini’s most decorated junior judoka, Lamulela Magagula, is set to receive E20 000 for her remarkable achievements on the international stage.
This follows the introduction of revamped performance bonuses by the Eswatini Sports and Recreation Council (ESRC) for the 2025/26 Government Financial Year, running from April to March.
The updated incentives now offer E20 000 for a gold medal, E10 000 for silver and E5 000 for bronze at international competitions, a significant increase from the previous awards of E10 000, E5 000 and E3 000 respectively.
Last year, Magagula was awarded E10 000 for securing a gold medal at the Abidjan African Open Championships in Ivory Coast.
Following her 2024 triumph, Eswatini’s Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima presented her with a cheque for E10 000.
Competing in the 63kg category, Magagula clinched victory by defeating Ivory Coast’s Sarah Dabonne and Gabon’s Asseghe Bidouele, earning her the gold and the accompanying policy incentive.
The 19-year-old capped her junior career in style at the 2025 Judo Junior African Cup in Pretoria, South Africa, where she successfully defended her title in the Under-63kg girls’ category.
This achievement propelled her to 27th in the world rankings, a remarkable climb from 73rd , bolstered by her outstanding performances.
The Pretoria competition marked her final competition as a junior, with her recent successes—including gold medals at both the African Judo Championships in Abidjan and the Pretoria Junior African Cup—earning her 200 ranking points over two years, with each gold contributing 100 points.
Across seven recognised International Judo Federation (IJF) events, Magagula has secured four ippons, showcasing her technical prowess.
As she transitions to senior-level competitions, Magagula has her sights set on qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Her journey will soon take her to the United States, where she will begin university studies next month, while training intensively and competing in key international tournaments to hone her skills.
Beyond the Olympics, Magagula is preparing to represent Eswatini at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, aiming to shine on yet another prestigious global stage.
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