adminAugustine Hwata Sports Reporter
TOP Zimbabwe wheelchair racer Samson Muroyiwa could be the man to beat in the T53/54 category when he takes part in the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge in George, South Africa, next week.
Muroyiwa won the division after clocking 2:23:09 last year and will be returning to South Africa under the spotlight as the defending champion.
The athlete will form part of 10 locals who are set to leave for South Africa tomorrow to take part in the prestigious wheelchair race.
Today, the athletes will receive a morale-booster ahead of their departure at a send-off ceremony to be held for them at Avondale Shopping Centre.
Team manager for the physically challenged athletes, Chris Katore, is hopeful that they will do well at the event and could win more than the three medals they got last year.
“On Saturday (today) we are going to hold a send-off ceremony at which we will also receive various goods from our sponsors.
“Everything is set, the bus tickets have been secured and we will rest in Jo’burg before we proceed to George,” said Katore.
Muroyiwa and Alex Mukandla are expected to race in the 42km section while Elford Moyo, Edmund Makutya and Wilson Nyakoko will compete in the half marathon.
Top female wheelchair racers – Dorcas Hwatira, Maggie Bangajena, Thandiwe Ndlovu and Madeline Madzivire – are also leaving for South Africa tomorrow.
“We are travelling early so that we get two days to train and hopefully Muroyiwa will win a gold medal again,” said Katore.
Last year, the prize money of R244 000 was split over the 44 categories in three distances – a 42.2 km full marathon (with a R10 000 first prize), a 21.1 km half-marathon for athletes using racing wheelchairs or hand cycles, and a 10 km distance, which also allowed basketball chairs and ordinary wheelchairs.
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