Latest news with #SouthAfricanNationalBoxingOrganisation
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Boxer secures silver at national champs
Shane du Plooy, a talented boxer from the Vikings Boxing Club, secured a well-deserved silver medal at the South African National Boxing Organisation National Boxing Youth and Elite Championships. The championships, which took place earlier in July in Pretoria, saw over 100 fights from top boxers across the country. Shane fought in the welterweight category (67kg) and put on an impressive display, winning his quarterfinal bout with a technical knockout and his semifinal bout with a knockout. Although he lost in the finals with a 2–1 division decision, Shane's performance was commendable. 'I'm proud of my silver medal,' Shane said, beaming with pride, adding that his opponent at the national championships is the one he defeated at Gauteng Champs. His coach and father, Hendrik du Plooy, couldn't agree more. 'We worked very hard, and it was his first time going to the SA Championships,' Hendrik said. 'We are very proud of him, and he is bringing gold next year.' Shane's determination and skill in the ring have earned him recognition, and it's clear that he has a bright future ahead of him in the world of boxing. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Jo-Lee smashes stereotypes with silver win at SA Championships
Jo-Lee van Tonder (20) broke the stereotype as a female boxer and placed second at the South African National Boxing Organisation Youth Men and Women Championship earlier this month. Her coach at Vikings Boxing Academy, Phillip du Randt, said Jo-Lee fought in the Women's Elite Bantamweight Category (51kg to 54kg). Jo-Lee fought two bouts at the championship. 'In the first one, I came in strong and managed to win in the first round, and everything just clicked. I stayed sharp from the first bell. The second bout was tougher. I gave it my all, but it didn't go my way. It was a learning experience, and I walked away with a lot to work on. It was the toughest. My opponent was experienced, aggressive, and constantly on the move. It challenged both my stamina and mental focus. I had to dig deep and stay composed, even when things weren't going my way,' she explained. Securing the silver medal, she experienced a mix of emotions, from pride to relief and even a little frustration because she was so close to gold. 'I felt proud of how far I've come and the hard work that went into getting there. I showed heart and stayed disciplined throughout. But if I could change one thing, I'd be more aggressive earlier in the final. I held back a bit too long before turning it up.' Phillip added the preparation for championships focused more on finishing techniques and fitness, making sure her focus is sharp and reactions are snappy, and making her understand she has to remember the drills they worked on. 'She was ecstatic, having won a medal and given her everything. Her willingness to try anything that she gets taught contributed most to her growth and success in the ring. Just making sure that Jo-Lee understands what was expected of her has won half of the battle already. Fortunately, communication is possible in this day we live in and communication right before an athlete enters the arena is possible,' he explained. The next step for Jo-Lee is to persevere and improve even more. 'We aim for international competitions by competing against other African athletes from other countries and taking on the rest of the world. Jo-Lee learned she is a lot tougher than she thought, mentally and physically.' Jo-Lee added that even when she was tired or under pressure, she kept showing up, round after round. 'I also realised how important adaptability is. Sometimes your plan A doesn't work, and you have to trust yourself enough to switch it up mid-fight. This silver medal is by far one of the highlights of her boxing journey so far. 'Every fight leading up to this point shaped me, but this tournament tested and showcased how much I've grown. It feels like a turning point, not just another medal, but a sign that I'm stepping into a new level. I'm focusing on refining the small details, including timing, footwork, and ring IQ. I'm also working on building strength and endurance so I can come back sharper, faster and stronger in my next fights,' she concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
