Gweru taekwondo athlete eyes gold medal in Botswana

Gweru (New Ziana) -Gweru based Taekwondo national team player Admire Tshitshiliza is eyeing a gold medal at the University of Botswana open championship to be held on October 9 this year.

The 30-year-old Third Dan black belt holder is scheduled to fight against Mfamanawekhaya Dube from Eswatini and Fredrico Muianga from Mozambique.

Tshitshiliza, who is affectionately known as Dille, hopes to fulfil the feat through knockout wins although coming from a two months long instep knee injury.

“The two month injury has been a long journey for me as I missed games but I am prepared and optimistic that I will come back home after a knockout win,” he said.

Tshitshiliza joined the Zimbabwe Taekwondo national team at the age of 13 playing for the junior team and was promoted to the senior team at the age of 17.

He said the experience that he has gained is enough to break through any type of opponent resistance.

“I joined the junior team at 13 years and got promoted to senior team at 17 years and the skills I have gained are enough to take me through the toughest enemy regardless of limited time for training due to injury,” he said.

Thitshiliza, who doubles as the first assistant Midlands provincial instructor under chief provincial instructor Bhekumuzi Buthelezi, is looking forward to adding more accolades to his trophy cabinet consisting of gold medals from Malawi (2011), Mozambique (2017) and a bronze medal from the COSATA Games in South Africa (2012).

The veteran athlete promised to spread taekwondo to youths across Zimbabwe and the world at large as it reduces chances of drug abuse, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

New Ziana