Non-professional boxers, hailing from clubs that operate in the numerous towns within the Mangaung Metro, are set to return to the ring with the staging of the Free State Organisation Youth Championship. They will converge on the Free State capital, Bloemfontein, to battle it out in the Mangaung Sports Centre on Saturday (20/05).
The upcoming event has been organised for clubs within the Mangaung Metro district. The winners thereof will advance to the interprovincial event, which will feature teams representing the five districts of the Free State.
David Molatlhoe, coach and manager of the Bloemfontein-based Devil’s Boxing Club, said the provincial leg would determine a strong team tasked with going on to represent the province at this year’s national championship. This contest will feature teams representing each of the country’s nine provinces.
The upcoming event in Bloemfontein will see boxers trade leather in at least two categories, namely youth and elite.
They will compete in different weight divisions:
- mini-flyweight (48 kg);
- light flyweight (49 kg);
- flyweight (51 kg);
- super flyweight (52 kg);
- bantamweight (53,5 kg);
- super bantamweight (55 kg);
- featherweight (57 kg);
- super featherweight (59 kg);
- lightweight (61 kg);
- super lightweight (63,5 kg);
- welterweight (67 kg);
- super welterweight (70 kg);
- middleweight (72,5 kg);
- super middleweight (76 kg);
- light heavyweight (79 kg); and
- cruiserweight (91 kg).
The eagerly awaited Free State Organisation Youth Championship is organised under the auspices of the South African National Boxing Organisation (Sanabo).
The Free State team did not feature at the two previous national championships after having to, on both occasions, pull out on the eve of the event on account of severe financial constraints.
Youth team
Mangaung competitors to take part in the Free State Organisation Youth Championship are:
- Gontsi Maqelepo (57 kg);
- Lehlohonolo Motsi (51 kg);
- Obakeng Molelekoa (57 kg);
- Khumo Ditshidi (63,5 kg);
- Mpho Tshepe (57 kg);
- Kabelo Stock (51 kg); and
- Lefa Raboroko (63,5 kg).
Elite team
Mangaung boxers who form part of the elite team to take part in the Free State Organisation Youth Championship are:
- Katleho Mokhethi (49 kg);
- Van Scalweik (49 kg);
- Mohlomi Atoro (51 kg);
- Tlhoriso Nkakala (51 kg);
- Karabo Mothupi (57 kg);
- Otswile Jafeta (60 kg);
- Bonakele Lebethe (60 kg);
- Tiaan Wessenar (63,5 kg);
- Karabo Lekhelebane (69 kg);
- Katleho Mosekoau (75 kg);
- Kevin Raphalani (75 kg);
- Werner Rademan (+91 kg);
- Robert Pain (+91 kg); and
- Sebina Lekhelebana (48 kg, female).
