Mthatha veteran Judoka, Donald Sutherland, has decided to stop competing in the senior division in Judo and will concentrate on veterans, and climbing the ranks as a technical official.
The 56-year-old said he wants to focus on officiating in the sport now. Sutherland won gold in the veteran’s division at the Commonwealth Judo Championships.
“I was by far the oldest competitor that qualified to participate at the Commonwealth Judo championships in the senior division. The nearest person in age to me was in their thirties,” he said.
“It, however, clashed with my officiating duties at the tournament; hence the decision to continue as an official.”
Sutherland won gold at the Feather Market Hall in Gqeberha, beating Joe Williams in the 100+ veterans’ category which was held for the second time in South Africa.
The competition saw 235 athletes from 10 countries making their way to Nelson Mandela Bay to compete.
In his encounter against the experienced Williams, who ended fifth at the World Judo Championships last year, Sutherland went the distance and won in extra time by disqualification, after Williams was penalised three times.
“It was nice to compete at the Commonwealth for SA. It was a great privilege and honour. To win at the end was a bonus and something special,” said Sutherland.
“He was a good competitor; hence our match went full-time. He managed to get three penalties and I won.”
Sutherland’s love for Judo evolved from wrestling, which began at the age of 19.
“I started Judo, graduated and received my yellow, and then went straight to the SA champs. I have had a black belt since 2016,” said Sutherland.
He has won the SA Judo championships on numerous occasions, including this year, and has been double SA champion in 2013, 2019 and 2022.
