Sponsorship | Help Me Reach my Olympic Judo Dream
My name is Timothy Onkgopole Meuwsen, a South African judoka currently ranked 72nd in the world and third in Africa. I am writing to request support in my journey to qualify for and compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Representing my country at the highest level has been my dream since I first stepped onto the tatami, and I am determined to make it a reality.
I grew up in Rustenburg, where I first discovered judo and developed a passion for the sport that quickly became a way of life. Today, I train in Pretoria with TuksJudo, one of the top high-performance environments in South Africa. Judo has shaped my character, teaching me resilience, respect, and the value of perseverance in the face of challenges.
Over the past few years, I have steadily climbed the international rankings, representing South Africa at major competitions across Africa and Europe.
I previously competed at the Sofia European Open in 2023, which gave me valuable experience against some of the strongest judoka in the world. More recently, I have medaled at the African Open held here in Tshwane, taking home the Gold, as well as the African Championships earlier this year that took place in Ivory Coast, where I brought home the bronze medal. I also maintained my South African champ title after competing in both the under 81kg and the under 90kg men’s division, further solidifying my position as one of the top athletes on the continent.
My next major step is competing at the Prague European Open in September 2025, followed by a three-week training camp in Bulgaria. These events are critical in preparing for future competitions and maintaining my upward trajectory in the world rankings. Looking ahead, I aim to compete at the Yaoundé African Open in November and, if funding allows, attend a high-performance training camp in Japan later in the year — training in the birthplace of judo would be invaluable for my development.
However, pursuing this level of competition comes with significant financial challenges. The costs of international travel, accommodation, entry fees, and training camps are entirely self-funded, making it difficult to access the opportunities required to reach Olympic qualification standards. Without external support, it becomes nearly impossible to keep pace with athletes from countries where funding is readily available.
Your assistance, whether through financial sponsorship, logistical support, or media exposure — would directly impact my ability to train, compete, and proudly represent South Africa on the world stage. Beyond my personal goals, I aim to inspire young athletes from South Africa to believe that, with hard work and determination, they too can succeed internationally.
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Thank you for considering my journey. With your support, I am confident we can achieve something extraordinary together and bring pride to South Africa through judo.
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