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The Unlimited Dusi
2011
Media Release |
No:
dusi1201 |
1
Dec 2011 |
Injury worry for top Dusi contender
Durban – An injury cloud hangs over a number of title contenders for The
Unlimited Dusi canoe marathon including valley icon Thulani Mbanjwa
who despite suffering a calf injury recently has elected to race this
weekend’s Land Rover Hansa 50 Miler, hoping desperately that he won’t
aggravate the injury any further.
Mbanjwa, who hit global headlines when he became the first black winner of
the race as Michael Mbanjwa but who now prefers to be known by his family
name, severely strained his calf whilst competing with partner Sibonelo
Zondi at the world marathon champs in October this year and has subsequently
had to undergo an extensive rehabilitation programme in recent weeks.
“I tried to run through a ‘dead leg’ on the third portage of the champs and
injured myself pretty badly,” said Mbanjwa. “I could hardly walk when we got
off the plane from Singapore and I had to stay off my feet entirely for a
few days after that.”
“Sibonelo and I then did The Unlimited Ozzie Gladwin together and looking
back it probably was a little bit too much too soon because I was really
sore for a while afterwards,” he added.
All is certainly not lost for the pair as rigorous physiotherapy sessions
and a light training schedule has seen Mbanjwa recover well enough to
realistically enter the two day race on the Dusi course this weekend.
“I’m going to the physio every three or four days at the moment and
thankfully things are getting much better now,” said Mbanjwa.
“We’ve been training again this week and I’m feeling very comfortable on the
flats and downhill, it’s just the going uphill that I’m still struggling
with a bit at the moment,” he added.
This weekend’s race from Camps Drift to Inanda dam will have many
challenging climbs which will provide a tough test for Mbanjwa and his
fitness but the former Dusi winner is looking forward to seeing just how
well his body holds up.
“I’m a little nervous about the uphills this weekend but it will be a great
opportunity for me to see how things are going and how far my calf has come
along,” said Mbanjwa.
“There is still quite a while to go before Dusi so I’m confident my injury
would have recovered by then and I’ll be ready,” he added.
The Unlimited Dusi takes place from Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg to Blue
Lagoon in Durban on 16-18 February 2012. More info can be found at
www.dusi.co.za
ENDS
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Photo |
Caption |
Photographer |
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pic |
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The Unlimited Dusi 2012 Logo |
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Valley icon Thulani Mbanjwa is slightly
nervous about the many tough climbs he and partner Sibonelo Zondi will
have to endure at this weekend's Land Rover Hansa 50 Miler but still
confident he will fully recover in time for next year's The Unlimited Dusi
in February. |
Kyle Gilham/ Gameplan
Media |
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Thulani Mbanjwa (left) and partner Eric
Zondi will look to continue their The Unlimited Dusi preparations when they tackle the Land
Rover Hansa 50 Miler this weekend despite Mbanjwa still recovering from a
recent calf strain. |
Gameplan Media |
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