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Nkabiti Is Boxer Of the Year |
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Botswana Amateur Boxing Association (BABA) held the Best of the Best tournament
and the BABA awards ceremony at the UB student union at the weekend.
Key moments at the event were the naming of Herbert Nkabiti as Boxer of the Year and a re-match of one of the toughest bouts in BABA circles featuring perennial rivals 60kg Gaolathe Mpotsang and Gomotsang Gaasite, popularly dubbed 48.
Gaasite was all out to seek revenge against Mpotsang who cost him a ticket to Algeria for a slot to qualify for the Olympics. Gaasite who represented the country at the 2006 Commonwealth games held in Australia exhibited great tactics and awareness and definitely claimed the Best of the Best title.
The 54kg bantam weight fight was exciting to say the least. Prospect Thapelo Zuze of Francistown had a great match when he defeated UB’s Boitumelo Taolo.
In the 57kg fight, Thato Batshegi had an easy win over Batsho Maripe of Tsholofelo club. Fireworks were expected in the 64kg category, where boxer of the year, Herbert Nkabiti took on hard tackling Larona Francis of SSKB. But it was an average bout in which Nkabiti used his experience and power punching to retain his title.
Other fights were as follows: 51kg Kgomotso Boka won against UB’s Oteng Oteng, In the 48kg category K. Kgageng of SSKB lost to B. Mogajane of BMC while in the 69kg bracket Moabi of BDVC knocked out Arnold Tsele of GBVC. Lawrence Mbangiwa proved that he is a heavy weight in the 75kg category by beating Oteng Phatshwe of Selibe Phikwe.
At the same event BABA awarded outstanding athletes at the end of the tournament. Boxer of the year went to Herbert Nkabiti. He claimed this price because of his outstanding performance, he won a silver medal at the Algerian All Africa Games last year and represented Botswana at the World Military games held in India.
Administration of the year went to Tsholofelo Club, Coach of the year to Gilbert Khunwane of Tsholofelo Club, Affiliate of the year to University of Boxing (led by veteran boxer Master Luza), Referee of the year to Etsogile Ngwago of Thebepatshwa and Hlanganani Moses walked away with Best Judge of the year.
After the Best of the Best tournament, BABA finalized a team that will represent Botswana at the Zone 6 tournament to be held in Namibia from 22-31st of March .This is the last chance for Botswana boxers to try and qualify to compete at the next Olympics Games to be held in Beijing, China in August. The team comprises of 48kg Bathusi Mogajane, 51kg Kgomotso Bok, 57kg Thato Batshegi, 60kg Gomotsang Gaasite, 64kg Herbert Nkabiti and 69kg Moabi Mothiba.
Officials who will be representing Botswana are Head coach Johannes Ditlhabang, Assistant Coach Thebe Setlalekgosi, Technical Adviser Vichido Dominguez and Team Manager Col. Charles Nkele
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