Eyes on the Olympic prize for South African judoka student-athlete

As all eyes are on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games this summer, student-athletes are also included on the rosters for competing against the worlds best. Among these athletes is the University of Pretoria’s judoka, Geronay Whitebooi from South Africa.

A lifelong dream has been realised as she prepares to take to the global stage at this year’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan. It was no easy task for the 25-year-old, who missed a qualification tournament after testing positive for COVID-19, had to endure a lengthy period of home-based training and juggle a demanding academic course while pursuing her sporting goals.

Here she chats to FISU about life as a judoka in South Africa, balancing her studies and training, and what she hopes to achieve after her last duel on the tatami.

Firstly, please tell us a bit about yourself, where you grew up, and how you got into judo?

I am originally from Port Elizabeth, South Africa. I started judo in 2006 at the Booysen Park Judo Club. I got into judo after accompanying a friend to practice and I was immediately drawn to the sport. 

What degree are you studying for at the moment?

I started my Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Management degree in 2015 and I completed it in 2017. In 2018 I decided to study towards an Honours degree in Internal Auditing which I completed in two years due to my sports commitments. In 2020, I took a break to focus on judo, and I must say, I missed the books. Thus, during the lockdown I decided that even though I was focusing on qualification for the Olympic Games, I would do an online course at the University of Pretoria. I am currently busy doing a post-graduate diploma in entrepreneurship. 

How have you balanced your studies and competing at such a high level over the years?

My studies and sport go hand in hand. If it was not for judo, I would not have the opportunity to study as comfortably as I have. However, I need to train to keep my brain functioning. I train twice a day from Monday to Saturday. My training programme has been very hectic, from first year up until my post-graduate final year. My lecturers were very understanding, and helped me whenever I had to move tests or examinations to different time slots due to my sporting commitments. I could email them for assistance whenever I had some difficulties with a topic or missed a lecture. 

You have qualified for the Olympics, congratulations! How did it feel when this was officially confirmed?

No words can describe the feeling that came over me when I got the final confirmation about my qualification for the Olympic Games in Tokyo. I am blessed to be part of team South Africa. After all the hard work and sacrifice, today I can wear the flag on my heart.

How difficult was the training and qualifying process, also considering the global pandemic we are all going through?

COVID-19 has us all living in fear. We are not allowed to be as free-spirited anymore and as South Africans, we are a happy-go-lucky nation. My qualification period started in 2019 before the COVID-19 breakout. It was a very difficult period, but it came with many blessings. The lockdown made it impossible for me to train judo as it is a contact sport. Gyms closed down, so that also was not an option, therefore home-based training became my best friend. After the lockdown it was difficult to return to my original routine of training, so we started off at a slow pace and picked it up gradually.

What are you looking forward to most in Tokyo?

This is my first Olympic Games, I am 100% sure that I will be amazed by the Olympic village and the experience it will bring. I am excited for a full blown amazing experience. 

How tough is it being a judoka in South African considering it is not such a popular sport in the country?

Judo is often confused for karate, that is how unpopular it is. Most judokas stop doing judo when they reach university as there is very little financial support a travelling judo requires for competitions, which results in less and less players. Judo is not well-funded – as a player, you need to find private sponsors if you want to compete internationally, and only once you gain results does the federation and other parties begin supporting you in your career. I have been blessed enough to have the University of Pretoria, Judo South Africa, the International Judo Federation and other private sponsors support me throughout my judo career so far.

What has been your most memorable achievement so far?

The highlight of my judo career thus far is receiving my first gold medal at the African Championships with my coach Nikola Filipov by my side.

What impact has practising judo had on your life?

Judo has opened many doors for me. I got an opportunity to complete my tertiary studies and travel the world. Judo has taught me many values such as self-motivation, discipline, time management and respect. 

How important is it, in your opinion as a sportswomen, to have an education behind you?

Your sports career will not last forever, so it is important to find another way to make a success of your life. There have been many beautiful success stories of sports people that have not studied, but used their sporting experience to make a difference. I believe if you have the opportunity to study then you should grab it with both hands and make sure you push to complete your degree.

Finally, what goals have you set yourself for the future?

I am planning to do another Olympic cycle and qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics. This was my first qualification period and I definitely want to make changes in the way I will approach the next cycle. After I complete my judo career, I want to focus on my work and become a forensic internal auditor. I am hoping to start-up my mom’s business with the experience and qualifications I have thus far and make it a family business.