TAMBANKULU – It rained medals as Eswatini taekwondo martial artists showed good kicking and punching skills continentally.
Rising sensation Siphiwokuhle Ndlela shone the brightest, bagging a silver medal. She competed in the juniors +63kg division.
The latter lost to Kadiatou Bathily of the Ivory Coast.
Her group competitors featured Fatoumata Zamsorre of the host country and Mariam Diallo of Mali.
Taekwondo martial artists were showcasing their skills at the first-ever continental showpiece. The national team left this country last Sunday for a prestigious continental tournament.
They are attending the 2025 African Series finals in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The competition concluded two days ago.
Eswatini had entrusted a nine-member team for this assignment led by Coach Sabunim Sizwe ‘Mshengu’ Mabuza.
Alternatively, Bongumusa Mkhatjwa lost in the semi-finals, but managed to earn a second bronze medal. He battled in the -55kg juniors category alongside the likes of Hakim Konate from the host country, who ultimately won in this group.
These two are part of the Eswatini squad to represent this country in the upcoming Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Youth Games scheduled for next month.
In the seniors, Sandzisile Mavimbela achieved a bronze after competing in the +67kg division. Furthermore, Saneliso Masuku earned a bronze -68kg as well. Notably, a day prior Eswatini had secured two bronze medals through Mfanawekhaya Dube and Sihlelelwe Matsebula.
As per the local podium incentive policy, winning a gold is said to pay E20 000 while silver amounts to E10 000 for one medal. Furthermore, a bronze medal reportedly guarantees athletes E5 000.
Taekwondo is mostly an individual sport as one athlete competes in a single division.
Regardless, Nonhle Maduna and Gcinumuzi Nxumalo could not reach the podium stage. Eswatini Taekwondo Federation (ETF) Vice Secretary Mbongeni Nsibandze confirmed the results.
“Competition was very tough but our athletes managed to hold their own. As a federation we are truly happy because it was the first time this tournament was played and they brought home medals. We are proud of the team and Coach Sizwe. The country was well represented,” he said.
Eswatini Taekwondo National Team displaying their medals in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. (Pic: Eswatini Taekwondo Federation FB Page)