Gqeberha-born Michaela Whitebooi bagged gold at the Commonwealth Games yesterday as gymnastics, judo and lawn bowls joined Team SA's medal party.
Judoka Whitebooi, who started the sport at Booysen Park Judo Club in the Bay and is now a member of Tuks' team in Pretoria, clinched the victory over India's Shushila Devi Likmabam with a golden score Waza-ari after they had ended without scoring in regulation time.
Whitebooi, 25, swept into the final of the women's 48kg competition to guarantee at least a silver medal.
She beat Ashleigh-Anne Barnikel of Wales in the quarterfinals and then in the semifinals she dispensed of England's Amy Platten, the bronze medallist at the European under-23 championships in 2021.
Whitebooi had lost in the opening round at the Tokyo Olympics, after being drawn to face the world champion, but that experience was of great value.
