Being selected for the SA National Wushu team is great, but definitely comes with one downfall…. we don’t get any funding from the Government and we’ve never managed to obtain a team sponsorship.

This is the 3rd time I’ve made the SA team, first was in 2008 for the 3rd World Traditional Wushu Championships (Taolu), second for the 10th World Wushu Championships (Sanshou) in 2009, and this year for the 5th World Traditional Wushu Championships (Taolu). Before this, I was selected in 2006 (after competing in my very first SA Wushu National Championships), but I had just graduated (meaning I was far from earning an income which would sustain a trip overseas), and the hunt for sponsorship was unsuccessful so I couldn’t go.

There’s one thing I learned from sponsorship hunting as a South African Wushu athlete – it never goes well. I approached every single sports related – and non-sports related – company I could possibly think of. Certain sports clothing brands and energy drink brands – you name the company and I’ve probably approached them before. The one response that really stuck with me, and basically summed up sponsorship hunting for my sport was: “No, we don’t sponsor obscure sports.”

So this year when it came to hunting for sponsorship I was feeling rather despondent. I tried my luck and tweeted, in hope that some of my tweeps had connections with companies who might be keen to sponsor me. I didn’t receive any response until late on the 1st of August. I was tweeting about feeling disappointed that I was doing work-work instead of sponsorship hunting. One of my followers responded asking what sponsorship hunt I was on and I filled him in on the details. Shortly thereafter I received a DM from the person simply saying, “Send me the details and maybe I can be of some help.” So, I compiled a sponsorship proposal, fact sheet, etc and I duly sent it off.

Three days later I received an email saying “So happy to sponsor you at the World Champs. ”

Shocked is the understatement of the year! I responded with:

“Whaaaaaaaat?? Seriously? You’re joking, right? You actually left out a word and meant to say you’ll help me look for a sponsor?”

To which the sponsor simply said: “You’re on your way to China.”

I was so happy I almost did back flips in the garden. After so many years of trying to get sponsorship, I actually got one – and through the magical means of social media!

The awesome company that is sponsoring me is TMS30x30 – a fully integrated digital and traditional market research firm. Every person I have interacted with at that company has been amazing – they are so supportive, enthusiastic and above all else, friendly! They really have gone above and beyond to encourage and support me on my journey leading up to the 5th World Wushu Championships, and I’m exceptionally proud to be associated with them and massively grateful for their support!

When I asked the CEO of TMS30x30 why he offered to sponsor me, he said:

“It’s not often that one comes across a real-life ninja – we like to think we are ninjas at the work we do – so when the opportunity arose to get involved in sponsoring Liane, we grabbed it.  Liane’s struggle back from injury and drive and ambition to succeed are values that are very close to our heart.”

See what I mean by them being such awesome people!?

These research ninja’s are currently working on gathering info on social media use in South Africa… (and they even give away prizes to those who participate in the survey) – if you’re feeling kind and what to contribute towards this research, please take a few seconds to complete the survey…. you could even win a prize Click here to do the survey.

You can also follow them on Twitter to see what they’re up to @TMS30x30.

After being booked off from all forms of exercise since September 2011, I was finally cleared to commence training in May this year. With the 2012 SA Wushu Federation National Championships in July, I had a lot to work on and in a very short period of time.

I had to train hard, but also ensure enough balance between rest and training to prevent my injuries from flaring up again. There were a few incidents when the bone pain had flared up and I’d have to rest a few extra days, but my physio, bio-kineticist and I worked well together to ensure that nothing serious happened in the weeks leading up to the championships.

Something happened yesterday. Something that has had me thinking quite a bit. It’s unfortunate, but the incident has lead me to think about how disrespectful (some) young men have become. More disturbing though, is the question of how accepting we, as young women, have become.

A friend and myself went to Newlands yesterday to watch the first game in the 2012 Rugby Championships – SA v Argentina. We parked at Cavendish, and on our way back to our cars after the game, we skipped the pedestrian traffic and walked down the center island on the main road. Having a chat and laugh after a good day at the game, it all went pear-shaped when some guy and his two mates thought it appropriate to shout at us:

“Hey sluts. Go Bokke.”

In what seemed like minutes, but in reality was a few seconds the following happened in my brain:

In 2009 I was selected to compete in the 10th World Wushu Championships which was held in Toronto, Canada in October. This was an official World Championships as recognised by the International Olympic Committee and the General Association of International Sports Federations, and I was therefore awarded my National Protea Colours. I was also the only female selected for the team to compete in the Sanshou (free fighting) division.

My training for this competition increased to insane levels, I was training 3 times a day, 6 days a week – I was not allowing my body the necessary rest and recovery, and I started developing quite a few niggling injuries. One such injury was to my shins. I was running one day and was only about 3km’s into the run when I had to stop at a traffic intersection. My legs had been paining during the run, but I was so focused I just kept running. When the traffic stopped and I tried to run, I simply couldn’t. My legs wouldn’t move and I collapsed to the ground. I stayed on the ground for quite some time, and then eventually willed myself to get up and find the nearest store to phone my sister to come fetch me.

The weddings continued in April: One expectant massive party, and one unexpected awesome party. And then the parties concluded with a little farewell gathering for one seriously fantastic and crazy friend, who packed his bags, left his family and friends and flew all the way to the U.S. of A. to be reunited with the love of his life. Aaaaw, sweet

We’re half way through 2012 and I’ve already had four weddings and a farewell. Imagine my excitement when I realised how awesome it is that my life has something in common with the movie  ’Four Weddings and a Funeral,’ as well as the complete relief that the last part was “farewell” and not “funeral.”

The months of March and April saw me rocking four weddings – each from different groups of friends – ala single lady style… which leads me to think: My friends are getting married, and I’m just getting drunk. (Ok, not really, but it sounds funny.)

Life in general presents you with many ups and downs… I maintain that how you choose to deal with life’s little surprises determines your true character.

During my studies at the Cape Technikon (or Cape Peninsula University of Technology) I became involved in the Outdoor Adventure Club, and was the club’s Chairperson in 2005. The year 2004 was filled with many hikes and other awesome activities with the club – needless to say, I became quite a regular shopper at Cape Union Mart (Canal Walk) and had made a friend in the (then) manager, Stephen Greeff. Stephen was actually the person who planted the seed of climbing Kilimanjaro in my mind when he invited me to join the Cape Union Mart hiking club in their annual Kilimanjaro expedition. It was from his initial invitation that my mind was set  - 2005 was going to be the year I summit Kilimanjaro!