Shongweni’s Banetse aims for Dusi top 5
After making the top three in 2016 Dusi, the local paddler is hoping to achieve a similar result this year.
BANETSE Nkhoesa claimed a podium finish in last year’s Dusi after recovering from being stabbed and he hopes to replicate his form this year and claim a top five position in his K2.
Banetse was stabbed in his Shongweni home in December 2015 and said it set him back dramatically with his preparation for the following year’s race.
His Dusi partner, Sbonelo Khwela, were determined to succeed and received help from the Prime-based Elite Athlete Development Programme, which took him back into a boat and onto the FNB Dusi podium where they finished in third place overall. “Last year’s preparation was incredibly tough,” he said. “My race was seriously jeopardized after the incident but I gave myself a chance and it paid off. This year I have been so much more prepared and I am really looking forward to racing the Dusi.”
The three-day race adventure takes its toll on most paddlers with a plethora of factors to take into consideration when tackling the ultimate canoe challenge, Banetse’s belief is that he has grown from his ordeal and is ready for anything. “Last year’s performance has really given me so much more confidence. I was amazed that myself and Sbonelo could pull off the result that we did. It motivates me to strive to do just as well if not better in my K1,” he added.
“I have learnt so much from Sbonelo since we have been training together and he has helped me understand the race and how to race better. I am at the stage in my preparation where I am polishing up aspects of my paddling,” he stressed.
With one of the deepest men’s fields assembled for this year’s edition of the race, Banetse appreciated the wealth of knowledge his training partner has given him. “The field for this year’s Dusi is really exciting and there is so much talent. I know it is going to be an incredibly tough race, so if I get any sort of chance, I have to take it.
“If I can finish in the top five I will be really happy but anything higher is a bonus for me,” said a hopeful Banetse.
With rains over the KwaZulu-Natal region not providing much relief from the on-going drought, Banetse said he is prepared for anything the race throws at him. “If there is more running then I think that will work for me. The running on day one is always quite close and I think if we have to run more than usual on day three then it will be equal because everyone is tired by the third day.”
