Local boxer does it again
Gabuza says dedication and hard work with extra hours at the gym have paid off. He won a gold medal at the SA national Youth and Elite championships.
Mamelodi boxer has done it again, winning himself another gold medal at the SA national youth and elite championships.
Khayalethu Gabuza (23) of Mamelodi East, Section 16 was representing Team SA at the tournament when he won gold in a 4-1 split decision in a three-round boxing match.
The boxing championship tournament was held in Tzaneen from July 5 to 11.
Gabuza of Mabetha boxing club in Mamelodi beat K Bantsi of Western Cape in the 86kg light-heavyweight division.
Gabuza said his next goal is to become a professional boxer and qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France from July 26 – August 11.
He said dedication and working hard for extra hours at the gym have paid off with a gold medal but he could not make it without the guidance of his coach Jan Mathola, founder of Mabetha boxing club.
“My coach always encouraged me to focus on my goal and not to give up in everything I do,” said Gabuza.
“He taught me to be disciplined and stay positive at all times.”
He further said he wants to grow among the ranks but his ultimate goal is to become the World champion in the middleweight division.
“Boxing was not my sport. A close friend from primary school introduced me to boxing and I have not looked back since,” said Gabuza.
Last year Gabuza won several medals including the gold in the African boxing championship zone 4 tournament.
Gabuza said he also enjoyed chess and he is the winner of the 2016 junior national chess championship in Durban.
He added that no time will be wasted as he has already started working out to prepare to qualify for the Olympics and hopefully take part in the Common Wealth tournament too.
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