Hansa Powerade Drak Challenge Media Release

 No: drak0905

18 Feb 2009

Dusi icon Mbanjwa withdraws from for Drak Challenge

Underberg - Dusi icon Michael Mbanjwa has opted out of the Drakensberg Canoe Marathon in Underberg this weekend, suffering from exhaustion from his back-to-back Dusi exploits last month.

"I went out for a training paddle, and realised that my body is really broken, and I have to rest," said Mbanjwa. "I love this race, and it saddens me to have to take the decision not to take part this year."

The popular product of the Lembethe Canoe Club at Nagle Dam in the Valley of a Thousand Hills won the Stihl Non-Stop Dusi early this month with Piers Cruikshanks a fortnight after his dramatic second place in the Hansa Powerade Dusi.

"I have to think about my body, and recovering properly," Mbanjwa added. "It will take at least three or four weeks to recover from the Dusi and Non-Stop Dusi, so doing the Drak Challenge will just not be worth it."

Mbanjwa suffered the same problem last year, but only withdrew on the day of the race, and spent the weekend in Underberg as an enthusiastic spectator non the river banks.

The good rains in the Umzimkulu catchment area and the steadily increasing popularity of this race has resulted in entries flooding into the race office in Underberg over the weekend, and, unlike many other canoeing races, the entry looks set to exceed last years entry.

The Drakensberg Challenge takes place in Underberg on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February. More information can be found at www.drak.co.za

Jon Vellacott/
Gameplan Media

MyPicture.com/
Gameplan Media