SSGT James Battle
Staff Sergeant Battle is an outstanding referee and is one of the most qualified officials in the country. He is as comfortable operating at Inter-Company Boxing as he is as a National Technical Official at the World Boxing Championships.
He has officiated at more than 60 competitions over the past year as a referee or supervisor. Representing the UKAF Boxing Association, Staff Sergeant Battle has officiated at the finals of every age group of the England Boxing Championships (Schools, Juniors, Youth, Development and Senior Elite). He has also represented the UKAF Boxing Association at the British University Championships and National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs.
He has represented the Army as a referee on numerous occasions including the Inter-Service Championships at both Elite and Development Championships, Army v Bahrain and the prestigious Haringey International Box Cup at Alexandra Palace.
Staff Sergeant Battle is pivotal to the delivery of boxing in the Army at all levels, his engagement and influence within England Boxing is exceptional. At 34 he is the youngest National standard Referee/Judge in England. Without a doubt a compelling candidate for the UKAF 2025 Sports Official of the Year award.
Gdsm Manuqalo Komaitai
Guardsman Manuqalo Komaitai has enjoyed an extraordinary breakthrough year, establishing herself as one of the brightest rising stars in Army and international rugby. Her rapid ascent from novice player to Army and playing for Fiji within just five years is a testament to her talent, determination and relentless work ethic.
Taking up rugby only in 2020, she quickly excelled in both codes, starring on the Army Rugby Union 7s circuit and playing club rugby for London Irish RFC and York Valkyrie RLFC. Her instinctive athleticism, versatility and power soon marked her out as a force to be reckoned with.
The 2024/25 season cemented her reputation. Selected at Number 8 for the Army XVs, she delivered dominant performances in the Inter-Services Championship. At Twickenham she opened the scoring in a record 96-0 victory over the Royal Navy, before producing a sensational four-try, Player of the Match display against the RAF. Her impact was recognised by her teammates, who voted her Players’ Player of the Season as the Army were crowned Inter-Services Champions.
In May 2025 she was called into the Fijiana national squad, making her international debut against Tonga and scoring a try, before starting against Samoa a week later in the Oceania Rugby Women’s Challenge title-decider. In August 2025, she was named in Fiji’s Rugby World Cup squad.
Guardsman Manuqalo Komaitai is a trailblazer whose journey embodies resilience, talent and opportunity seized. She has already inspired many and has the potential to achieve even greater things.
Gdsm Thandor Dlamini
Gdsm Thandor Dlamini enlisted into the British Army in November 2019, at the age of 27 years. He is now serving at 1 SCOTS. He is a high-grade Taekwondo fighter, regularly medalling at national and international level as an elite level (black belt) in the World Taekwondo Federation – IOC recognised. He has an indomitable spirit, pursuing sporting excellence whilst recently beating cancer (link to Soldier Magazine Front Cover and Feature – Aug 25).
Since returning to high level competition in 2025, he has won notable events such as the Liverpool and Wales Open full contact competitions. He recently returned to his home nation and won bronze in the Eswatini Open and regained his No 1 national rank for his weight group. This outstanding achievement and subsequent top-ranking status resulted in his automatic selection to represent Eswatini in the African Games tournaments 25/26. Sponsored by Army Sport, he is now training full time.
He is the current Army Middleweight Champion, the Welsh Open Champion and number one ranked Eswatini player. He is a L2 British Taekwondo coach and has the clear potential to continuing competing at the highest level for at least three years. As an elite level athlete, he has conducted successful Defence outreach and recruitment engagements. He easily builds rapport with people and explains the benefits of military service and Army Sport.
Gdsm Dlamini is the No1 ranked Inter-Services’ athlete who has dominated military competition in recent years. He is talented, ambitious, modest and is capable of success at the highest level. His significant taekwondo achievements can be eclipsed in the short term with success at African and Olympic Games if he continues to progress and is invested in. A promising star and sporting ambassador who demonstrates the warrior ethos and proudly represents the British Army, Eswatini, his unit and Regiment.