The 21-year-old from Qumbu in the Eastern Cape was selected to partner 2012 Olympic Gold medallist Asenathi Jim, who learned his craft at the same Izivunguvungu sailing school in Simonstown.
Having been selected by South African Sailing (SAS) to represent the country at the Junior World and European Championships, Sibu Sizatu says he is relishing his international debut.
The 21-year-old from Qumbu in the Eastern Cape was selected to partner 2012 Olympic Gold medallist Asenathi Jim, who learned his craft at the same Izivunguvungu sailing school in Simonstown.
“The under-21 [Junior] World and European Championships will be my first international sailing competitions, so I am really excited,” Sizatu said at the team's training base in France, where they are preparing with the assistance of Jim's fellow Olympian Roger Hudson.
“I got into sailing quite late when I was 16. I was living in Masiphumelele township in Cape Town and through friends at school I heard about the Izivunguvungu sailing school."
The World Championship event takes place from July 27 to September 3 in La Rochelle (France) while the European competition will be contested from September 14-22 in Pwllheli (Wales).
Despite a limited following in South Africa, Sizatu said he was immediately taken with the sport, which has seen him rise through the ranks and onto the international stage.
“My family didn't take it seriously when I mentioned that I joined a sailing school because they had no idea what sailing was," Sizatu said.
"But my friends were happy because we were all doing the same thing.”
Five years later, Sizatu has worked his way up the rowing hierarchy, training with Team RaceAhead since 2010, before competing at the highest level.
Sizatu added that Jim and Hudson had played crucial roles in his development.
“Asenathi and Roger are guiding me in so many ways.
"They have helped me learn how to approach things in life and in sailing.
"They brought the professionalism of their Olympic campaign back to the new SA Sailing Olympic base in Simonstown and I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time."
With aspirations of an Olympic campaign of his own one day, Sizatu believes any time spent on the water in these tough international conditions is invaluable.
“With the team I have around me there is a great chance of achieving good results and gaining massive experience.
"But the philosophy of the team is to commit absolutely 100 per cent to what we are doing in terms of preparation, training and performance.
"As long as we do this we accept whatever results come our way. These opportunities don't come too often. When I heard that I was going to France and Wales I was singing all the way home.”
Sizatu to make international debut at World Championships
The 21-year-old from Qumbu in the Eastern Cape was selected to partner 2012 Olympic Gold medallist Asenathi Jim, who learned his craft at the same Izivunguvungu sailing school in Simonstown.
Having been selected by South African Sailing (SAS) to represent the country at the Junior World and European Championships, Sibu Sizatu says he is relishing his international debut.
The 21-year-old from Qumbu in the Eastern Cape was selected to partner 2012 Olympic Gold medallist Asenathi Jim, who learned his craft at the same Izivunguvungu sailing school in Simonstown.
“The under-21 [Junior] World and European Championships will be my first international sailing competitions, so I am really excited,” Sizatu said at the team's training base in France, where they are preparing with the assistance of Jim's fellow Olympian Roger Hudson.
“I got into sailing quite late when I was 16. I was living in Masiphumelele township in Cape Town and through friends at school I heard about the Izivunguvungu sailing school."
The World Championship event takes place from July 27 to September 3 in La Rochelle (France) while the European competition will be contested from September 14-22 in Pwllheli (Wales).
Despite a limited following in South Africa, Sizatu said he was immediately taken with the sport, which has seen him rise through the ranks and onto the international stage.
“My family didn't take it seriously when I mentioned that I joined a sailing school because they had no idea what sailing was," Sizatu said.
"But my friends were happy because we were all doing the same thing.”
Five years later, Sizatu has worked his way up the rowing hierarchy, training with Team RaceAhead since 2010, before competing at the highest level.
Sizatu added that Jim and Hudson had played crucial roles in his development.
“Asenathi and Roger are guiding me in so many ways.
"They have helped me learn how to approach things in life and in sailing.
"They brought the professionalism of their Olympic campaign back to the new SA Sailing Olympic base in Simonstown and I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time."
With aspirations of an Olympic campaign of his own one day, Sizatu believes any time spent on the water in these tough international conditions is invaluable.
“With the team I have around me there is a great chance of achieving good results and gaining massive experience.
"But the philosophy of the team is to commit absolutely 100 per cent to what we are doing in terms of preparation, training and performance.
"As long as we do this we accept whatever results come our way. These opportunities don't come too often. When I heard that I was going to France and Wales I was singing all the way home.”
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