Passing of young South African judoka Preston Davids

At the young age of 29 Judoka and judo coach Preston Davids of South Africa died. The Judo world in shocked by the death of the young athlete who took the gold medal at the South Adrican Open in 2013. The Lightweight competed at many African Championships and African Open Judo tournaments and he took a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Championships in 2016. He was also a coach for many young talents.

Given the reactions on Facebook Preston Davids was killed by violence where some of the top athletes responded to his death.

“RIP Preston a legend in the Judo world we love you and will miss you, you have a heart of Gold it is sad that you are no longer with us but you will always be treasure in our hearts. “

“Rest my dear brother..... one of the best players and a good coach. A respectful individual that always wears a smile in his face. Condolences to the David’s family and to the Judo family at large. This is really sad jhooooo“

“I am absolutely shocked. One of the greatest guys you ever met and and probably the most technically gifted judoka I have ever met. I am lost for words. Rest in peace Preston. “

“Preston's will be sorely missed by all. Judo family, friends and all who knew him. His kindness and generosity of spirit was felt by all. A great Judo player, coach and friend to all. Rest in Peace Preston. “

“We have lost one of our best.Brilliant Judoka, coach and friend. This one is going to hurt for long. “RIP brother. “

“No man..., this is really bad. What is our Country becoming... Great loss to the Sport of Judo. I am very sorry to hear and my deepest condolences to family and close friends. “

“Rest In Power brother till we meet again you will forever be remembered for all the contribution you had in Judo rest now brother “

“That is so sad. We met Preston in Japan years ago and became friends. He generously showed us part of his life in Cape Town in March of this year on our first trip SA. He was such a wonderful guy. Our condolences to his family and the larger judo community. “

“Rest in peace my fellow judoka you truly will be miss may God grant us all comfort during this time especially your family until we meet again my friend death be not proud“

“RIP Preston Davids. Really a sad situation. What is this country becoming? Our thoughts and prayers are with the family in this difficult time. One of our best Judokas and upcoming coaches taken away far too soon“

“This is horrible news! You will be missed my friend! Judo has lost one of the most promising judo coaches (and player). “

“MHSRIP what sad sad news great lost RIP Preston you gone to soon always in my heart condolences David's family Judo South Africa and to all of us he was dearly loved“

“So sad to hear this. My condolences to his loved ones.he was a good judo player and was n role model for a lot of people... “

“Tjooo this is really sad news what a great fighter and a good guy...i used to fight him in under 60 kg... May his soul rest in peace“

“My Condolences to the family and other loved ones. “

“At the young age of 29 Judoka and judo coach Preston Davids of South Africa died. The Judo world in shocked by the death of the young athlete who took the gold medal at the South African Open in 2013. The Lightweight competed at many African Championships and African Open Judo tournaments and he took a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Championships in 2016. He was also a coach for many young  talents.“

Preston Davids was stabbed to death in his childhood neighbourhood of Bellville South on Monday morning in an incident allegedly motivated by “jealousy”.

Davids was the current Africa Champion in the under-60kg weight class.

Coach for the national judo Olympic team, Godfrey Kleinsmith, said the 29-year-old rose to become one of the country's top talents in the martial art before his life was snuffed away by two “skollies” intent on gaining notoriety.

Kleinsmith helped to raise Davids, who he regarded as a son, since he was nine years old, when he took him in as one of his students.

“This was about jealousy. It was jealousy because he was such a star, and the people loved him. What happens in this community is when you are such a role model, a skollie will always try and make a guy like that fall,” Kleinsmith told TimesLIVE.

Davids’ younger brother Grant Quanteney, 27, was with Kleinsmith at the police’s forensic laboratory on Tuesday to view the body.

“It’s just the three of us. My mom died four years ago. My father died 26 years ago. My younger brother is 17. It’s a little heavy for him. He loved my older brother more than he loved me. My older brother was always much kinder to him, whereas I was much stricter,” he said.

He said the incident started after a late-night informal pool tournament at a clubhouse, which started on Sunday. Davids went to watch his brother and their cousins play a few games.

He said a young “troublemaker” who had previously tried to pick a fight with his brother arrived and tried to quarrel with him, but he was thrown out.

When they left, the troublemaker and his cousin ripped off the windscreen wipers from the brothers’ car, but it was when they attacked his cousin with knives that Davids decided to intervene.

The two men pounced and stabbed him to death in Stilwaney Crescent.