Setshego makes strides in Malaysia

Botswana’s rising Karate star Thabang Setshego continues to make strides in Malaysia and has won recognition from his school, Asia Pacific University where he is currently studying for a Bachelor of Commerce.

Setshego has been sponsored by the institution to compete at the World Karate University Championship scheduled for Kobe, Japan from this week Thursday until Monday. In a brief   interview this week an elated Setshego said, “The school provided me with sponsorship to represent them so I recently had an interview with the University Chief Executive Officer and I shared with him my experience in karate. He also took time to advise me on how to balance my sports career and my academic studies.”

The multiple national karate champion said the University handed him their flag so that he represents the University in addition to the two nations of Malaysia and Botswana. Moreover, Setshego who has only five months as a student in Malaysia said he recently represented Botswana at the 9th International Silent knight karate championship where he managed to win a gold medal.

Meanwhile, Setshego who trained under coach Peter Molefe at SSKB in Gaborone said he has not abandoned his National team duties.“I am currently training under the school club but I am looking forward to representing Botswana at the Africa Karate Championships scheduled for 28th August until 2nd September in Rwanda.” In other matters, Setshego said he still hopes to compete at the upcoming 2020 Tokyo, Japan Olympic games. “However, my world rankings have dropped drastically because it has been a while since I competed at the World Karate Federation events.

My ranking has   since dropped from 46th to 97.th” The local kumite sensation who has defeated the likes of Spain at WKF championships said the drop in world rankings only mean he has to work extra hard in order to qualify for the Olympic games.  Setshego gave credit to both the Botswana Karate Association (BOKA) and the Botswana Olympic Association, adding that the karate Sports Development Officer (SDO) is following his progress in Malaysia.