Numerous podiums pave the way to green and gold
Soft-spoken Abednico Mashaba (26) has been synonymous with the sport of long-distance running over the past few years. This year especially he rattled off an impressive performance as an athlete.
He was awarded best 21- and 10-kilometre athlete at the recent Mpumalanga Sport Awards in Middelburg and was also presented with the male athlete of the year trophy during his running club, LVCC’s prize-giving.
“I was very excited with these achievements as I worked really hard throughout the season.”
Among other accolades such as qualifying at the South African 21km Championships to represent his country at the Southern Regions in Madagascar at the end of July, he is determined and driven to achieve even greater heights. It has been a life-long dream to wear the green and gold.
Also read: Runners conquer Boulders
“I just want to push the barriers and see what I can do and how far I can go. If I look back on the few past years, I was really blessed in 2016. I believe that I have to use what is at one’s disposal. I am responsible for my own happiness.”
Mashaba’s first love was soccer. One of his classmates, who was a field and track athlete, would bring a medal to school which he won over the weekend. As a soccer player, an individual does not receive a medal. Mashaba then thought to himself, “I can do this.”
“I got so jealous every time. As I started to compete in marathons, I saw that an athlete has a lot of benefits – like Powerade, chocolates, biscuits and Coke. As an athlete I also get to travel to many places that I wouldn’t have been able to see as a soccer player.”
His personal best in a 21 kilometre, is 01:04:16. He has never done a 42-kilometre race, but he is planning to do his first-ever marathon in May 2017. “I want to challenge myself to a longer distance, and if I do well, I most definitely want to qualify for a Two Oceans and maybe in the future even complete a Comrades Marathon.”
Also read: Mashaba is still one to be reckoned with
Mashaba is on his way to Mozambique. He will run his fourth Mellium Bank Marathon this weekend. His last race of the year will be in Moz on December 31.
“Last year I fainted at the finish line. I woke up the following day in hospital with my trophy for winning silver next to me. “I love the scenery of the races in Mozambique, but it is hot and windy.”
He was given a Toyota Etios for winning an ANC race event in June. He is the defending champion of the Skukuza Half-marathon and Boulders Marathon.
To measure himself against the world’s best, he wishes to compete in Europe.
