MBABANE – Eswatini martial arts star Saneliso ‘Kick’ Masuku continued his golden run after storming to victory at the fifth Torneio da Amizade in Mozambique on Saturday.
The Fourth Dan black belt claimed gold in the -68kg category on September 12, 2026, overcoming competition from athletes representing about 10 academies to reaffirm his status among Zone VI’s leading taekwondo practitioners.
Based in Mozambique, the liSwati has built an impressive record on the regional circuit, having also won gold at the Matola Open Challenge in 2023.
Masuku said the latest triumph was an important part of his preparations for bigger international assignments.
“The Mozambique tournament was an important stepping stone towards the bigger challenges ahead, particularly the African Games next year and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualification journey. I was able to dominate my bout and secure a knockout victory with a back kick, which has always been one of my favourite weapons,” Masuku said.
The seasoned fighter believes regular competition remains crucial to his development as he targets the demanding competitions ahead.
“It is rewarding to see something I have worked on consistently in training translate into competition. For me, consistent competition is essential. Every tournament gives me an opportunity to sharpen my skills, test my preparation and identify areas that still need improvement,” he said.
Masuku said the experience gained from every tournament would help him prepare for the challenges awaiting him next year.
“That is how I intend to prepare myself for the level of competition that awaits in the coming year. Above all, I am proud to have represented Eswatini once again and to have carried the country’s name with me on the international stage. There is still a lot of work ahead, but this is another step in the right direction,” he added.
The latest gold medal adds to a haul of at least 90 podium finishes amassed by Masuku during more than a decade of competitive taekwondo.
His recent success follows another gold-medal performance at the Next Generation Taekwondo Club Championship at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) Sports Emporium in July.
There, Masuku won the Senior Male -68kg A division title, finishing ahead of Manuel Almeida, while Leboela Tsimane and Mompati Motingwa completed the podium
Leave a comment