The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) Sport Administration have recently announced that two of their boxers from the DUT Boxing Club have been selected to represent the country in Turkey following their outstanding performance in the 2022 USSA Championships.
The FISU University World Cup Combat Sport takes place from the 25th to30th September 2022. Two DUT athletes will be competing against the universities around the world, and battle it out in six sports, namely: Boxing, Karate, Muaythai, SAMBO, Wrestling and Wushu.
DUT’s Scelo Mkhwanazi (21) said that this achievement does not only give the exposure to the boxers that made the squad, but it also flies the DUT flag high. Mkhwanazi from Ulundi won all his three matches in the USSA tournament with knockouts and explains to how his sporting career all started to him being the best young fighter.
“I have been a boxer since 2015 and it marks six years since I had my first fight. Over these years I have won medals and trophies with my biggest, recent achievement being completing the USSA tournament untouched. I had three fights and I won all of them with knockouts which led to being selected to a national boxing team. I am now fighting in the Under 71 kg category due to my height and strength,” he said.
He further explained that he survived all these years in the sport because of being disciplined, hard work, not fearing competition and most importantly the mentorship from a good friend, Mfanele Ntuli, who’s a professional boxer based in Gauteng.
“I can never forget how special it was being called up as one of the boxers to represent South Africa in Turkey. I am still nervous as this is my first time travelling abroad, but I feel we were given enough time to prepare and our coaches have been helpful into preparing us for this big event ahead of us,” he said.
Mkhwanazi mentioned that earlier in the month of July 2022 they had a camp for all boxers which was helpful as it gave them a chance to interact as teammates and get to know each other. He is also grateful to the DUT Sport Administration Department for an opportunity and the continuous support.
As part of the DUT ENVISION2030 of creating a distinctive education, a compelling and future-oriented, living and learning environment, DUT Sport Administration’s mission is to help students balance their academics and their social lives. they believe in talents and the fact that sport is life.
The second athlete is Siza Ngiba (22) from eNanda said that he fell in love with boxing in 2015 after he was selected for the team eThekwini.
“What made me survive and kept on going was winning and the support of my coaches”, he said.
He also shared with us that he has travelled to Botswana for the Region 5 games.
Ngiba’s working hard during training and putting more hours as he weighs 57kg, he also mentioned that his mentors are Error Spence Junior and Davin Henny.
“I was excited but at the same time scared because I won’t be fighting for me alone, I’ll be fighting for my country as well, the closer the day comes the more it becomes scarier,” he said.
Mr Bongani Yengwa: Head of Department of Sport Administration said that for the past three years DUT Boxing has been doing well but it’s the first time to have two boxing athletes from the USSA team have been selected to represent DUT in Turkey.
“I would like to thank the coach, team manager, sport officer and stakeholders from all the departments who have assisted in making sure that all the sport programmes that we have are a progress,” said Yengwa.
He further added that this will encourage many students to join Boxing and have more interest in joining sports at DUT.
“Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting -Napoleon Hill. We wish our athletes the best of luck as they prepare for their lifetime moment,” he said.
Pictured: DUT boxers Scelo Mkhwanazi and Siza Ngiba are off to Turkey for the FISU University World Cup Combat Sport Competition.
Sinethemba Njoko
