• MyPE
  • My Nelson Mandela Bay
  • Port Elizabeth Business Directory

Your Ad HERE

Your Ad HERE

My Port Elizabeth

  • Team
    • MyPE
    • Google News
    • NMBT
    • Bing News
    • Uitenhage.org.za
    • NMBBC
    • The Herald
  • Contact
  • Accommodation
  • #PE on Instagram
  • Submit News
  • Weather
  • Directory
  • 17 February 2019
You are here: Home / MyPE / Major judo challenge for Mapitiza

Major judo challenge for Mapitiza

23 April 2016 By MyPortElizabeth

Major judo challenge for Mapitiza by Port Elizabeth – MyPR:

Judo-2016-LLR

NMMU coach Ben Gallant will manage the cadet team and student Lwazi Mapitiza will compete in the Commonwealth judo championships starting at the NMMU indoor sports centre this weekend. Photo: Supplied

Madibaz judo exponent Lwazi Mapitiza will get a chance to test himself at an international level when he competes in the Commonwealth judo championships at the NMMU indoor sports centre, starting this weekend.

The tournament runs until Thursday and will see competitors from more than 15 countries in action as they prepare themselves for both the Olympics Games in Brazil this year and the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Besides Mapitiza, NMMU coach Ben Gallant has been chosen to manage the cadet team (15 to 17 age-group) at the championships.

The 25-year-old Mapitiza said he had mixed emotions ahead of the event.

“Going into this tournament I have mixed emotions as I have not competed in a tournament of this level in a while. But, that being said, I am determined and excited to test myself against international fighters.

“I hope, as any other fighter would, to take first place and to make my country and school proud.”

Having grown up in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth, Mapitiza attended the Edu-College and VP Grey primary schools before matriculating from Lawson Brown. He is now studying information technology at NMMU.

With a father, sensei Mtunzi Mapitiza, who was closely involved in judo, the younger Mapitiza was introduced to the sport at the age of five and a lifelong passion was created.

“I started with my father at Kazuzo Judo Club and when that closed I joined the Meiji Judo Club under sensei Billy Matoto,” said Mapitiza. “Then, after I made the elite judo squad, I was coached by sensei Andrej Blady from Poland.

“One of my achievements was placing third at the Zone 6 African Championships in Zambia in 2009.”

He paid tribute to all those who have helped him in achieving his goals.

“The list is long, but first and foremost is my father. He has been there every step of the way throughout my career.

“Then there are all my instructors, from sensei Billy Matoto and Andrzej Blady to NMMU sensei Ben Gallant and all my teammates. They have all contributed to my success.”

Mapitiza also thanked the Eastern Cape Academy of Sport (ECAS) for helping him in his preparations for the Commonwealth competition, while adding that NMMU had provided the facilities for him to take his skills to the next level.

The 62-year-old Gallant, who has been involved in judo since 1968, said the championships would give the South African competitors the chance to compare themselves with their overseas counterparts.

“It is a very important tournament as it gives the fighters a chance to compare themselves to other countries and to see their level of competency as individuals and as a team.

“The tournament will also give me the boost to be recognised internationally as there are 15 other countries taking part. It is an honour to represent your country at this level.”

Gallant attended Abraham Levy Primary and Paterson High in Schauderville, and started going to judo classes at the Toynbee Club in Schauderville in 1968.

“My coach was the late Jack Bramwell. He was assisted by Aubrey October and Eric Trotter,” said Gallant.

“After five years, all three coaches stepped down and I was forced to take over, and I have been coaching ever since.”

Gallant coaches at NMMU as well as Stepping Stones in the northern areas. He holds a third dan black belt, recognised by the International Judo Federation.

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.

Read more here: http://mypr.co.za/major-judo-challenge-for-mapitiza/.

Next

Next

The following two tabs change content below.

  • Bio
  • Latest Posts

Article source: http://mype.co.za/new/major-judo-challenge-for-mapitiza/67999/2016/04

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • More
  • Print
  • Pocket
  • Tumblr
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit

Previous: Ferry crossing at Kei Mouth
Next: Route 67 – Whites Road Wall


Filed Under: MyPE Tagged With: community, despatch, mype, nelson mandela bay, news, port elizabeth, uitenhage

Find a PE Business



About MyPortElizabeth

About Alan Straton: Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."





Random PE News

The Oscar Pistorius muder trial in numbers

Du Plessis looks to negate Sri Lankan spin

Anger at sudden rental hikes

Mthatha news: Watch: World Aids Day marked in SA

Executives confident as preparations in place, all systems go for new ASU plant

Jeffrey’s bay woman clubbed to death

20 years of SA’s Bill of Rights

Give details of probe

Ray of Light amidst new vehicle sales decline

Qu_ickie’ ends in disaster after fight breaks out during fo_replay

PE News: Criminals all geared up for festive season

New Evidence Confirms Criminal Charges as Laid Against SABC

Food blitz continues in malls in NMB metro

Developing the skills needed to be a leading maritime nation

Port Elizabeth in the News on 1 August 2012

Kings heading for play-off

PE Hospitality Industry feels AirBnB sting

Port Elizabeth in the News on 28 November 2012

PE Image – Sculpture

Don’t turn your back on the sea

More PE Goodness

  • Accommodation
  • Submit News
  • Tour Port Elizabeth




RSS Cape Town News

  • Cape Town Image: Two Oceans Aquarium 025
  • Cape Town Image: African Penguin, Toronto Zoo
  • Cape Town Image: Camps Bay #2
  • Cape Town Image: Downstairs/Upstairs
  • Cape Town Image: SR-71 Pilot’s ejection seat & open canopy

RSS Durban News

  • Durban Image: A1 GP Durban 2007
  • Upbeat Dolphins excited by Centurion contest – Featured Durban Blog
  • BREAKING: Fearless Sri Lanka stun Proteas in Kingsmead epic
  • Durban Image: Durban, South Africa
  • Proteas: Du Plessis dynasty in full bloom

RSS News from Johannesburg

  • Hello world!

Copyright © MyPE · Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa | Privacy Policy