Titans to compete in first Black Ops

Team Titans, comprising Byron Venter and Kwandu Nhlabathi, matric pupils of Hoërskool Rob Ferreira, recently participated in their second Jeep Warrior Race in Durban.

They completed the Commando category in one hour, 38 minutes, improving their time by a mere eight minutes since their first race last year in Pretoria.

Mbombela’s Kwanyoni Lodge will host the the sixth event this year. The boys entered the Black Ops category which is the most challenging category. It combines both rookie and commando obstacles with the addition of endurance obstacles, that involve carrying and dragging heavy objects for set distances. It is a good way to test yourself mentally and physically. “Durban was our toughest race yet as it required a lot more upper body strength. The last set of obstacles followed one after the other which made it difficult. The monkey bars was a big challenge, but we managed to complete it in our second attempt.”

Last year during Robbies’ annual awards evening, Nhlabathi was presented with the male athlete of the year trophy for his performance in the 100-, 200- and 400-metre events. Next year he will study sport science at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth.

Venter has decided to study graphic design at the University of Pretoria which will make it difficult for them to complete yet another Warrior Race. “We hope to team up together in the future, but next year we are miles apart. If we are ever at the same place, we will most definitely compete.”

The Jeep Warrior Race comes to the Lowveld for the first time since it burst onto the scene in 2013.