Tiffany Botes, a young judoka from Gqeberha and a learner at Laerskool Verkenner, is set to represent South Africa at the 2025 SANIX International Juvenile Judo Team Championships in Japan later this month.
The prestigious international tournament takes place from 22 to 29 December 2025 and will bring together youth judo teams from across Japan, Europe, Asia and the Americas. The event combines elite-level competition with intensive training and cultural immersion in the birthplace of judo.
Botes will compete as part of a team from MJ’s Judo Dojo, led by Sensei Reece Kramer, who will travel as both coach and team manager. Her selection follows years of disciplined training that began when she first stepped onto the mat at the age of six.
Under Kramer’s guidance, Botes has steadily progressed through local and national ranks, earning District Champion titles and competing in both kata and fighting divisions at the South African Judo Championships. Known for her composure and resilience, she has emerged as one of the dojo’s standout young athletes.
“I love judo because every training session teaches me something new about focus, strength and discipline,” says Botes. “My dream is to one day become a Sensei and earn my black belt so I can teach others, just like Sensei Reece teaches me.”
The SANIX International Juvenile Judo Team Championships is widely regarded as one of the most competitive junior judo events in the world. Over the course of the seven-day tour, athletes will take part in world-class seminars and training sessions led by internationally recognised judo masters, followed by the main championship competition.
For MJ’s Judo Dojo, based in Gqeberha, the tour represents an important milestone. The club has built a strong reputation within Nelson Mandela Bay for developing young athletes through a philosophy centred on discipline, respect and consistency.
Sensei Kramer believes the Japan tour will be a defining experience for Botes.
“Tiffany has a remarkable calmness on the mat, paired with a fierce fighting spirit,” he says. “She has the rare ability to get up stronger every time she’s knocked down. Competing in Japan will expose her to world-class judo, and I believe she will represent South Africa with courage and heart.”
Botes’ selection is also a point of pride for Laerskool Verkenner and the broader Gqeberha community, highlighting the role local schools, clubs and coaches play in creating pathways for young athletes to reach international stages.
As MJ’s Judo Dojo prepares for its December departure, the journey to Japan stands as a reminder that world-class sporting opportunities can begin in local training halls, shaped by commitment, mentorship and community support.
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