Two years ago, Tirafalo Seoko was an unknown in local boxing circles but now the Omaweneno-born pugilist is on everybody’s lips at this moment.
On Tuesday, Seoko was presented with a 2010 Commonwealth Games silver medal by Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture Shaw Kgathi.
This comes after Sri-Lankan boxer Manju Wanniarachi was stripped of the medal after it was established that he was using performance-enhancing drugs.
It was an emotional morning for the 21-year-old who started his boxing at Tsabong Junior Secondary School in 2006.
He becomes the third Motswana to bring a silver medal from the Commonwealth Games after Gable Garenamotse and Lechedzani ‘Master’ Luza since Botswana started competing at the Games in 1974.
It is a big achievement for the youngster but he has pointed out that he still wants to achieve more. Though he would have liked to have been handed the medal at the games, Seoko said that it was the proudest moment of his short career.
“If I got this medal last year, maybe I would have won something at the BNSC awards early this year but I’m not complaining. This medal builds my CV and, believe me, I’m going for the gold medal at the All Africa Games (in September to be hosted by Mozambique). I believe that I have what it takes to compete with the best,” he said.
The promising boxer said that he wants to make a name for himself in Botswana and follow in the footsteps of Khumiso Ikgopoleng and Master Luza.
“They’re my inspiration those two guys,” he said.
So far, Seoko has won gold medal at the 2010 Zone VI Games and bronze at the African Championships, which were held in Cameroon this year.
Earlier this year, he won silver at the Zone VI Games which were hosted by Botswana in Sebele. It was at the regional games in Sebele where he won the hearts of many people with his talent.
Last weekend, Seoko was once again at his best when he beat Thato Batshegi in the 56kg category clash before an electrifying atmosphere at SSKB Hall in Mogoditshane. After the bout, Batshegi admitted that Seoko was the best on the day.
“It was his speed which got the best of me. Otherwise technically we were equal,” said Batshegi.
Presenting Seoko with the medal on Tuesday, Kgathi said that Seoko deserves to be treated with dignity because he is a boxer who shows a lot of promise.
“We’re very proud of your achievement as a ministry and indeed as people of this beautiful country. Your achievement has further enhanced the good name that Botswana has around the globe,” the minister said.
Kgathi urged Seoko to continue working hard to bring more silverware.
In an interview on Thursday, Luza said that since Seoko has shown that he has what it takes, the Botswana Boxing Association has to arrange an intensive training programme to prepare him for future competitions. Having benefited from Sri-Lankan’s use of drugs, Luza said that it is important for all those concerned to protect Seoko from going off the rails.
BOBA development officer, Healer Modiradilo, said, “He got into the national team last year but he has managed to win gold at Zone VI Games and Silver at Commonwealth Games; that says a lot about him. He has talent and we have to ensure that we get him focused. We also have to get him improved structures so that he continues benefiting from his good performances.”
