An oarsome row with Lifa Hlongwa
The para-rower went from being paralysed as a teen to training for the 2024 Olympic Games Qualifiers.
Lifa Hlongwa doesn’t row his boat gently up the stream, he rows its fiercely towards the win.
The para-rower took part in the International Para-Rowing Regatta that was held in Italy in June. There, he finished in fourth position, a performance that would see him beat his 2022 participation in the same race, when he placed 14th.
About six years ago, while he played in a high school rugby match, Hlongwa faced a life-changing injury. During the match he was tackled and from it dislocated and fractured his sixth and seventh vertebrae, leaving him paralysed. In those early years, coming to terms with his disability was a daily battle, and he had to have the constant awareness that he is bigger and better than his injury and that he can overcome anything.
When the University of Johannesburg (UJ) student first got into a boat it was an experience unlike any other, “It was amazing, and I have since learnt to row near ships and yachts,” he said.
He was initially drawn to the sport for its rehabilitative qualities, as well as the prospect of remaining fit, so he started training at Durban Rowing Club and has been part of the UJ Rowing Club for about four years.
Rowing has given Hlongwa a new perspective on hard work, self-motivation and discipline, traits he will undoubtedly use to see a goal of his come to fruition – to take part in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. He is currently in training for Olympic qualifiers which will take place later this year. Though he has taken part in many competitions, one of his most memorable is the regatta of last year. “It was my first racing experience overseas and I was among the best in the world; it was also my most exciting one.”
With the highs come the inevitable lows of some disappointments – but for him, every day serves as an opportunity to start over and become better. As he sees it, no one has been offered an easy life and it’s what he makes out of those opportunities that keep him going. In many ways, he hopes he just inspires others not to give up on the perusal of things that matter to them.
To fellow sportsmen/women he said some days will not go as planned and difficult days will come that make it hard to continue with training, but those will serve as the days most important for you to overcome. “Proper preparation will bring opportunities and as a result, rewards. Preparation equals opportunities. Work hard, work smart, let’s go!”
Related article:
