Matilda Kokera, 19, from Phumlani Village, was selected by the South African Wrestling Federation to represent the country in Egypt. Picture: Supplied.
An amateur wrestler from Goodwood Wrestling Club has been chosen to represent South Africa at the African Continental Championships and the African and Oceania Olympic Games Qualifiers in Egypt later this month.
Matilda Kokera, 19, from Phumlani Village, a shanty town in Lotus River, was selected by the South African Wrestling Federation to represent the country in these two competitions that will take place in Alexandria, Egypt.
She will compete in the under-20 50kg category of the African Continental Championships, from Thursday March 14 to Tuesday March 19, and the 50kg seniors category in the African and Oceania Olympic Games Qualifiers event, from Friday March 22 to Sunday March 24.
“I have been wrestling now for the past seven years and have been victorious throughout. I am a nine times South African champion, as well as a nine times Western Province champion,” said Ms Kokera.
She said she represented the country at African championships events in Johannesburg and Casablanca, Morocco, in 2022.
Western Province Wrestling Association has wished her well for the upcoming competition.
Ms Kokera's coaches at Goodwood Wrestling Club, Hayden and Ryan Abrahams, said: “She is presently enjoying good health in the best condition of her career and is physically well prepared. She is also quite nervous at this stage, which we are working on.”
Ms Kokera hopes to raise R57 000 through a BackaBuddy campaign to cover travel, accommodation and other expenses. Call her at 064 922 7747 for details.
Related Topics: