NTOKOZO ZONDO
TuksJudo hosted a new event on 12 October at Rembrandt Hall, Hillcrest campus, which TuksJudo club members and members from clubs in surrounding areas competed in.
Judoka Unelle Snyman sat down with PDBY to discuss the purpose of the event, the difference in training approaches for international versus national, highlights of the season and upcoming events.
The event was conceived by the club and club management to create more competitions where TuksJudo is representing. Snyman says that “there are not many competitions representing as TuksJudo to perform as the club, increase more matt time for the club and increase bonding within club with athletes and teambuilding and great exposure for members”. The event also provided an opportunity for the collaboration of Judo clubs in South Africa.
The objectives for national and international competition are different, which requires a varied approach to preparing for these events. Snyman describes national competition training as conditioning to perform in a competition mindset, “SA’s is more specific prep, national and club events are to manage weight as we compete in weight divisions so that you condition yourself to drop your weight, warm up and mentally prepare”.
In contrast, international requires a bigger preparation phase. “Usually, we will train for a month. The type of gym (activities) differ from week to week and evening training in terms of technique will focus on specific things per session”.
When it came to pin-pointing a highlight for the 2019 season, Snyman recalls moments with significance stating, “No specific thing but more of the development of my style and relationships within the club with the other athletes through hardships and challenges where we have grown so close and learnt to rely on each other”. Snyman also mentioned the African championships in April where she won a Silver medal. Snyman further explains why this moment stood out. “It was a good competition to bring my head into the game. Not to expect to win gold, but a good competition to fight each fight as if it’s the last I ever will do”.
TuksJudo will have a few more fixtures before their season draws to a close. Their upcoming events are as follows: Abu Dhabi Grand slam: 24 to 27 October and the Perth Oceania open in November. They might also be going to the Senegal African Open in late November and to Osaka, Japan in December.
