WATCH: Skipping stars showcase their talent

KWAMASHU resident, Lunga Ntuli is one of three skipping stars who will be heading to Maputo in Mozambique as part of a team that will compete in the Battle of the Year competition this month. Also skipping their way to victory are Sandile Ntombela and Eric Molosioa.

Ntuli who was wowed when he saw a video of the team online, started skipping in 2008. Currently working at a call centre in uMhlanga by day, he hopes to make a career out of skipping and reach out to youth in his community.

“I grew up in a location with a lot of disadvantaged children. My dream is to inspire the youth through skipping. It can be a form of counselling. Through this sport, people can overcome addictions and stress. Rope can do that,” he said.

Ntombela, a fitness trainer from Bothas Hill, started skipping in 2006 when he took a class at a gymnastics camp that he attended.
“Skipping has taken me to five countries in Africa, 10 in Europe, two states in the US, two states in India, Reunion Island and all the provinces in South Africa. I travelled for competitions, world championships, cup competitions and to teach at workshops,” he said.

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The successful skipper has made a career out of it, coaching skipping at various schools.

“My ultimate dream is to see my team mates making a career out of it, rather than doing menial jobs, I want to see them using their talent. I never would have imagined that I’d be able to touch so many lives. I didn’t think it was possible. I have been to countries and taught classes where I don’t even speak the language,” he said.

Hailing from the Free State, Eric Molosioa who started skipping in 2006 when he saw it on the streets had also skipped his way across the globe, visiting Canada, France, Belgium and Sweden.

“I’d love to take a team to the World Championships one day,” said the personal trainer.

Ntuli hopes skipping can take him on more trips across the globe.

“I haven’t travelled a lot because I jumped rope for a few years and then I had to stop for a few years. I’ve been to London and Cape Town for the World Championships,” he said.

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While learning the skill was easy for athlete, Molosioa, he said competing at a global level is a challenge.

“It requires a lot of energy and a lot of strength. You have to be able to carry your own body, so from that perspective is quite challenging. But learning it is quite easy, the more you skip, the easier it gets,” he said.

“When I saw the video, we were a team of four, with our coach, no one knew anything about skipping at all, but when we saw the video, we loved it, we tried it and it worked. I don’t think it’s difficult, as long as you do it with heart,” said Ntuli.

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