This was also an Olympic Qualifying tournament for the Youth Olympics in Nanjeng , China in 2014. Wayne-Otto, a grade 9 pupil at Glenwood High School, finished in the top 30 in the world.
He also entered the US open judo tournament while in the States and finished fifth out of 47 judoka in his under 55kg weight division. Wayne-Otto impressed even further with a first place in the golden score event.
“This was my first time to be selected for the SA judo team and it was awesome,” said Wayne-Otto, who is coached by his father, Mark, who was also selected as the SA coach. “My dad inspired me and I grew to love the sport.”
Wayne-Otto started judo at the age of eight and has made the KZN team every year since, except in 2008 when he broke his arm.
The ex-Kuswag head boy won a silver medal in the SA schools judo champs and a bronze medal in South African open judo championships.
“I’m currently a brown belt, but qualified to grade for my black belt at the end of the year. Unfortunately judo is not a school sport, but we are working towards making it one next year.”
Mark has his own judo club, which currently trains on the Bluff as he cannot find premises in Toti. “I train twice a week, which is difficult as I’m a boarder in Gibson House at Glenwood,” said Wayne-Otto.
“Judo teaches discipline, respect, self control, dedication and being very technical, judo can be practised by individuals as young as six-years-old to 75 years of age.
In America I was fortunate to attend two training camps in between the world champs and US open where we were coached by Olympic coaches and trained with the best judoka in the world. This was a brilliant experience that I will never forget.
My goal is to qualify for the SA judo team again next year and take my judo to the next level and participate in the youth judo champs in Botswana in May 2013. Judo is not just a sport, but a lifestyle for me.”
