Khwela not out of 2015 Dusi
Sbonelo Khwela is down as a result of an injury, but far from out of 2015 Dusi title race.
2014 Dusi Canoe Marathon winner, Sbonelo Khwela, has been struck down by an untimely injury with less than a month to go before the event on Thursday, 19 February.
The Euro Steel/Red Bull ace is admittedly nervous about the impact his injury will have on his final phase of training; however, he is confident the injury will be a thing of the past come race day in a few weeks’ time.
“Training had been going really well up until two weeks ago when I injured my shoulder. I think it is a result of over-training, and I am very worried because it is very bad timing,” said Khwela.
The young star first took the local river marathon scene by storm at the 2013 Dusi spectacle when he raced to a record stage one time before repeating his winning ways the following day after a drama-filled second stage. However, just kilometres from the finish he made an infamous swim at Pumphouse Weir, which cost him dearly and destroyed his hopes of a maiden Dusi title.
Despite this, Khwela showed his incredible talent last year when he and four-time Dusi winner, Andy Birkett, clinched the K2 title.
With Birkett, one of Khwela’s fellow ‘fantastic four’ pre-race favourites, having already upped the ante on his running in an attempt to match his 2014 winning partner’s abilities this season, Khwela will need to eke out every second he can on the portages if he is to overcome a charging Birkett.
“Andy is running very well at the moment. I tried to push him hard on the portages at the Euro Steel Highveld Croc in Johannesburg last weekend but he is very strong, so I will have to make sure my running is as good as it can be during the Dusi,” said Khwela.
Khwela has sent out a clear message to his fellow title hopefuls that he is confident about his approach to this year’s clash, and dreams of a similar stage one result to 2013.
“I’m not worried about the pressure of leading the race, that’s why we race competitively. I am happy to be in the front and leading the race, and that’s hopefully what can happen after stage one. The Dusi is a different race, anything can happen to anybody!” said a confident Khwela.
The 64th edition of the Dusi Canoe Marathon takes place from Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg to Blue Lagoon in Durban from Thursday, 19 to Saturday, 21 February. Visit www.dusi.co.za.
