RICKY MISHOLAS: A NEW PRIDE OF THE DRC AND A SPORTING INSPIRATION FOR AFRICANS

The DR Congo is facing a grave crisis to the point that certain observers think that even a container of ink is not enough to write it down. The subsequent image of the country and its people on the international stage is negatively affected: the depravities of the political class and the delaying by the fighting Diaspora of the charting of proper diplomatic strategies for a genuine change of the country lead the foreign powers and their peoples to think that the Congolese are sadomasochistic, not ready to be responsible partners in the concert of nations.

Notwithstanding this mediocre image, certain sons and daughters of the DRC are making her proud through achievements that dazzle the world with their excellence and merit. Among them we name Ricky Misholas. We shall in these lines answer the following questions: Who is this man? What are the values that constitute the foundations of his success and an inspiration for all Africans? Is he animated by a serious ambition to go further with his sporting career?

1.      HISTORIC

Born in Kinshasa, in the municipality that bears the same name, from a Luba father and a Kongo mother, Ricky Misholas enjoyed a lively youth, learning the mastering of combat sports. He successively did amateur boxing, full-contact (known in Kin as ‘mukumbusu’), football (also amateur), and judo, in whic he has a long experience. Once arrived in South Africa ten years or so ago, he carried on training in judo in Kempton Park under the mentorship of Master Bogus, to whom he was introduced by his friend, Master Didier Mbuyi. Later on, while he was absorbed in security service as a guard, and by divine providence, he was discovered by a white man who immediately spotted his sporting talent and invested his time in coaching him in cage fight, a mix of all unarmed martial arts. His first professional fight took place in late 2003. Nonetheless, he recently exploded in a televised fight, during which he defeated a white South African, after having mesmerised the public with his magisterial overpowering the opponent and high level of self-confidence. A couple of rounds were enough to KO the white man and down him on the carpet!   

2.      SECRET OF THE SUCCESS

Ricky Misholas struck our imagination by attributing his success to a table of values that run as follows: (1) a well-done regular work, which corresponds in his field to trainings; he believes that this is his only magic, and we Africans should learn much of it from the Westerner; (2) discipline, which consists of respecting the timetable, and of laying down some pleasures and rights for the sake of the sought-after target, and of developing self-control and patience vis-à-vis street provocations; for example, no alcohol nor women some days before the fight; thus discipline requires that one be spiritual; (3) humility, which means the awareness over the fact that, no matter how many innate dispositions one may be endowed with, one cannot achieve anything great without learning from others, and appreciating the unique talent lying within each human being, no matter his social standing, and therefore respecting him, and above all without the fear of God, the provider of everything. Yeah, Ricky is a living testimony of such humility, and we challenge you to get close to him to prove this; for example, he refused to be called “Master Ricky”; and (4) patriotism: Ricky nurses an endless love of the DR Congo, his homeland; he has made a vow of not changing nationality; it’s a sentiment that spurs him to double efforts toward attaining the climax of excellence, to subjugate the opponent in the cage and to mesmerise spectators and telespectators, to lift up atop others the DRC flag, to send to the Congolese politicians the message that they can restore the Congo if they just have the political will and the pastoral love of the sheep that is the citizen of the DRC; and lastly, to inspire in every Congolese the hope of a Congo that is really the giant in the heart of Africa.

3.     VISION OF THE FUTURE

Ricky Misholas harbours the ambition to become the world cage fight champion. He believes—and we think he is right—that nothing can stop him short of reaching this target so long as he observes  the abovementioned principles. The door to the world is now open to him next Friday March 1, 3013: he is going to fight for the title in a grand sporting event to be held at Carnival City. The whole of the African Diaspora living in South Africa, as well as all South Africans devoted to the pan-African cause, are invited to overflow the venue in his support.

Go, Ricky. Be assured that the Congo and Africa count much on you.

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