Sbonelo aims for Dusi crown
With many paddling events cancelled due to Covid-19, the Upper Highway paddler started his own business to ensure the bills are paid at the end of each month.
WITH the MyLife Dusi Canoe Marathon’s postponement to 18 to 20 March, the event’s former champion, Sbonelo Khwela said he will be at the start line for the 2021 edition.
With competitions drying up and the opportunity to win prize money along with it, Khwela has turned to a full-time job as he starts a career in entrepreneurship.
“I bought a truck and have started making bricks in Shongweni for people that are building houses, so that is taking up a lot of my time,” he said. “I also use my truck to do other deliveries as well, so my days are full!”
He said after the Covid-19 nationwide lockdown he knew he needed to make some changes to ensure he could support his family and pay the bills at the end of each month.
“I have really enjoyed the change and I enjoy working and selling blocks. It is a satisfying job to see what the blocks we make are turned into when the houses are complete,” he said
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Khwela has completed 15 Dusi marathons, has numerous podium finishes, one winner’s medal and a K2 win with Andy Birkett in 2014.
With this he believes he shouldn’t have too much trouble negotiating his way to Durban, despite a lack of preparation.
“I am still going to race hard and I hope that I can finish on the podium this year,” said the Euro Steel/Red Bull athlete. “I try and train between about 7am and 8am every day, but with my work projects being so new, it can be tough. I have been racing in all the pre-Dusi races but I don’t have time to do any tripping. I don’t think things would have changed too much and there are guys that have been tripping that will help me.”
Khwela’s Dusi record includes 10 podium finishes in 11 years.
He finished third in 2010 and then only finished outside of the top three on one other occasion when he finished fourth in 2011.
From 2012 to 2020 he has five third place finishes, three second place finishes and a first across both the K1 and the K2 championship formats.
To enter this year’s Dusi, visit www.dusi.co.za.
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