Mbanjwa shows early Dusi form
Local paddler, Thulani Mbanjwa claimed a win at the first Dusi.
AS the Dusi Series kicked off with the Clanfin Umpetha Challenge recently, the seasoned MyLife Dusi Canoe Marathon star, Thulani Mbanjwa showed he is still a force to be reckoned when he claimed the win.
The Umpetha Challenge ends on a portage and the race came down to two paddlers heading into the finish at the Bishopstowe Hall. Mbanajwa and U23 star, David Evans fought it out up the final hill to the finish.
Team MyLife’s Mbanjwa was too strong for the youngster and gave him a win that made him the one to watch for the Dusi in February.
2020 K2 Dusi Canoe Marathon champion, Khumbulani Nzimande finished in third place overall, one minute and 40 seconds behind the race winner.
The Umpetha was the first real chance for paddlers to stretch their legs on the Dusi’s first portage and, although Mbanjwa made it look comfortable, his body was saying otherwise.
“That portage is always tough and I wanted to walk at a stage but, when I saw Dave in front of me, I had to carry on,” Mbanjwa said.
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“It’s one of the first big portages of the season, so there is a lot of work to do after that. I am now moving into my serious running training with trail runs and runs with my boat, so it was good to see where I am from that perspective.”
Mbanjwa has a K2 medal to his name but has never been able to break the stronghold of Andy Birkett over the K1 Dusi title.
“To win the Dusi would be incredible, but I just go out and try and do the best that I can. When you start your Dusi training that motivation comes back and it really brings the best out of me. To be part of the new Team MyLife, I want to do as well as I can for the team at next year’s Dusi,” he added.
In the women’s race at the Umpetha Challenge, it was Jenna Ward who stole the show against a small field of competitors. Ward has not yet claimed a win at the Dusi and it seems she has her eye set on the elusive winners medal. She finished ahead of young U18 paddler, Hannah Bruni, while Tracey van Greunen finished in third.
The 2021 MyLife Dusi Canoe Marathon will be held between 18 to 20 February next year.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
