Zwide's judo Games medallist comes home to hero's welcome

COMMONWEALTH Games judo bronze medallist Siyabulela Mabulu was given a hero's welcome when he arrived back home in Port Elizabeth from Glasgow at lunchtime yesterday.

The 26-year-old Zwide judoka, who won bronze in the 66kg category at the Games on Thursday last week, was mobbed by almost 100 family members, friends and well-wishers at Port Elizabeth International Airport.

Mabulu realised a lifetime dream when he managed a narrow win over India's Manjeet Nandal in the bronze-medal match.

Mabulu said the tournament went exactly as planned.

"I had a game plan when I left South Africa, to win and raise the South African flag," he said.

He was, however, disappointed to miss out on the gold medal. His main objectives now are to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil as well as winning the African Open.

His mother, Borina Mabulu, could hardly contain her joy as she proudly welcomed home her son. "I have four daughters and he is my only son, so this makes me feel very proud," she said.

Training partner Anele Gush said it was important that Mabulu's talent got the necessary exposure.

Gush, who is also from Zwide, said: "It's a great achievement for him because people don't see our township as a place where talent like that comes from. So it was a good thing because it grooms other talent in our community," Gush said.

Eastern Cape Sports Academy chairman Kusta Magada said: "I feel very proud of Siya. It's our contribution to the national sports arena as a province. That's the only way we get to evaluate ourselves, through the athletes that we develop to compete among the best."

Mabulu started his judo career way back in 1994 but made his national debut when he was 13.

"I grew up training in a garage with just one mat and about 40 members," Mabulu, who is a member of Dynamic Judo Club and also attended the Eastern Cape Sports Academy, said.

Mabulu received a sponsorship from The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee to further his dreams of becoming a judoka.

Judo South Africa senior vice-president Sipho Tyatya said the association had applied for the sponsorship programme, which is endorsed by Sascoc.

"For me, as vice-president of Judo SA to come here and witness this is a real honour, but what I'm saying is Sascoc and EC Sports Academy played a major role in this achievement," Tyatya said.

Mabulu has visited countries like France, Poland and Brazil for competitions and training camps.

"My favourite was France, because it is the home of judo world No1 Teddy Riner and other medal winners."

Some of Mabulu's career highlights include coming fifth at the African Championships this year. He also took the silver medal at the African Open and came fifth at the African Championships last year.

Mabulu takes inspiration from the likes of Bulelani Makhoba, a former South African judoka. He also has some advice for all the youth of the Eastern Cape: "Keep dreaming, be brave, be confident and most importantly, be yourself." - Amir Chetty