Roedean School SA learner ticks off Water polo World Aquatic Championships goal

Roedean School SA learner, Kuhlesibonge Buthelezi prepares to fly the South African flag high at the World Aquatics Women’s U16 Water Polo Championships in Turkey from June 28 until July 4.

The 16-year-old said she took up the sport in 2020 after moving from Mpumalanga to Johannesburg.

“I practise twice a week at school, excluding water polo games during the season. I am also part of a water polo club where we train every two weeks for the entire year. I train a minimum of four times a week, and when the Gauteng training starts it can be up to six days a week.”

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Kuhlesibonge talked about her journey to being selected for the SA team to play at the championships. “I played in a tournament held in East London and represented Gauteng. The SA selectors chose players based on their past performances and how they played at the tournament.”
Her challenges included long nights of training and she had to be organised with her schoolwork and study. As a goalkeeper, another challenge was her height and she was advised to strengthen her legs and core so she could tread water for longer.

Before diving into water sports, the Grade 10 learner said she had participated in male-dominated sports. “I’ve always been a sportswoman growing up. I played all the sports that my school offered, even the ones that were ‘only for boys’ like cricket and soccer. I did cricket and karate provincially and nationally.”

Kuhlesibonge concluded she wanted to be a neurosurgeon after completing school.

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