Staff Reporter

Two University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) students have won silver medals at the International University Sports Federation World University Championship Combat Games in Brazil, becoming the first South African team to achieve the feat at the tournament.

Dhruv Heeralal and Sohail Ramruthan, who returned to South Africa on Tuesday, won silver at the FISU Combat Games, which were held from 8 to 13 June and featured karate, jiu-jitsu, muay thai, wrestling and wushu.

The pair formed part of the 12-member South African team that competed at the championships. As South Africa’s only entrants in the team Kata division, the Black Belts/Dans in semi-contact karate delivered an outstanding performance to finish as runners-up in their category.

Heeralal, who is studying Mechanical Engineering, and Ramruthan, who is pursuing a BCom in Accounting, said winning silver required perseverance and sacrifice.

“We are both studying two different degrees on two different campuses, so attaining this medal called on a lot of dedication, hard work, and compromise in terms of our schedules for us to make time to practise,” Heeralal said.

The karatekas qualified for the FISU Games after dominating the University Sport South Africa Tournament in February, where they won gold and earned a place in the national squad.

UKZN Executive Director of the Corporate Relations Division Dr Normah Zondo congratulated the athletes on their performance, saying the university was proud of their achievement and commended them for representing both UKZN and South Africa with excellence on the international stage.

“For Dhruv and Sohail to become the first South African duo to win a silver medal at the FISU Combat Games is an exceptional achievement. It reflects not only their dedication and talent, but also the spirit of excellence that defines UKZN,” she said.

“Sport is an important part of the University’s commitment to developing well-rounded graduates and achievements such as these demonstrate what is possible when talent is supported by an environment that encourages students to pursue excellence in every sphere. As UKZN we are immensely proud of our students for representing both UKZN and South Africa with distinction on the international stage.”

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