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Michael Mbanjwa in
race against time to make Hansa Powerade Drakensberg Challenge.
Underberg – Dusi hero Michael Mbanjwa is locked in a race against time to
recover from injury in time for this weekend’s Hansa Powerade Drakensberg
Challenge canoe marathon in Underberg.
The likeable 24 year old product of the Valley of a Thousand Hills, is still
struggling to shake off the pinched nerve that hampered him on his recent
Stihl Non-Stop Dusi win, and is eager to recover in time to be able to make
the trip to the Umzimkulu river for the big race.
Mbanjwa, who notched up the elusive Dusi and Non-Stop Dusi double with
Martin Dreyer this summer, rates the Drak as one of his favourites, even
through its format does not play into his hands.
“I love this race, but it doesn’t really suit me, because I do well in races
with portages,” said Mbanjwa. “The Drak is one of those races where you
don’t have to get out of your boat at all.”
Mbanjwa went on a well earned rest after his impressive win in the Non-Stop
Dusi, where he had to struggle through the last half of the race in
substantial pain from a pinched nerve in his lower back.
The gutsy youngster will test his fitness at a number of paddling training
sessions midweek, before deciding whether he is fit enough to make the trip
to Underberg on the weekend.
“I would like to be there for the Drak, but don’t expect me to win it,” he
cautioned. Mbanjwa has become a cult figure in paddling circles, and has a
large following, particularly from his home region near Nagle Dam, and from
the East Rand, where he is now based as a professional paddler and coach at
the Ekhuruleni Kayak Club.
Mbanjwa’s Dusi partner Martin Dreyer is also trying to re-arrange his
schedule to fit in the Hansa Powerade Drak Challenge. The exhausted 39 year
old has just returned from a promotional visit to Europe ahead of the 2008
Land Rover G4 Challenge, which he will start as the defending champion.
The duo pooled their resources to produce one of the most remarkable Dusi
performances ever, including an adrenaline-laced bounce-back from a bad swim
at Thombi rapid, and a superhuman 25 minute run over the demanding Burma
Road portage that set them up for their victory.
“Never again,” said a relieved Dreyer after their encounter at Thombi rapid.
“I knew exactly where to go, but for some reason I followed advice that I
knew was wrong, and we had a terrible swim that left me crying in
frustration. Never again.”
The Hansa Powerade Drakensberg Challenge takes place in Underberg on 23 and
24 February. Late entries close on Wednesday 20 February at midnight. More
information is available on the race website at
www.drak.co.za
ENDS
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