The University of the Free State (UFS) karate athlete Karabo Khanye proudly represented South Africa at the 2026 FISU World University Championship Combat Sports, where he gained valuable lessons on and off the mat.
Although his campaign ended in the semi-finals against an athlete from Iran, Khanye believes the experience strengthened his confidence and gave him valuable lessons for the future.
“As athletes, we all have the mindset of reaching the finals, but unfortunately there is only space for two competitors. Iran stopped me in my tracks from getting to the final. Obviously, it’s not the best feeling, but the biggest lesson I took from that fight was believing in myself,” Khanye said. “There were opportunities I knew I could have capitalised on, but I was just short of backing myself in the decisions I wanted to take.”
Balancing elite sport with university studies also remains a challenge, but Khanye says staying committed to both has been worthwhile.
“It is not easy balancing sports and academics, but it has to be done. There are times when I miss training sessions to study, but I always make the effort to catch up on my training.”
Beyond the competition itself, Khanye said meeting athletes from around the world had a lasting impact.
“I take every tournament as a learning experience, whether I win or not. I have grown as a person, not necessarily because of the tournament itself, but because of the people I’ve met and hearing about their life experiences.”
Looking back on his journey, he encouraged young athletes to remain dedicated to their goals.
“Consistency in everything you do is key. Listen to your coach, and all will be well.”
Compiled by Sibongile Selomane
