Athlete Mulaudzi triumphs in Taipei

A 26-year-old resident of Ha-Ramahantsha village, Collen Mulaudzi, won a silver medal during the World Student Games held recently in Taipei in Taiwan.

Mulaudzi was part of the South African team of four athletes who participated in the half-marathon. His fellow runners were Thabang Masihleho, Mariano Lin-Collen Essou and Milton Kekana. “We got a bronze in 2015,” he said. “So, we have shown improvement in our position by getting a silver.”

He indicated that there was an upsurge of young and energetic South African athletes who were ready to put the country on the international map. He mentioned that athletes like Akani Simbine, Wayde van Niekerk, Caster Semenya and Luvo Manyonga had motivated him.

“I believe in team work,” he said. “If one SA athlete triumphs in any competition, I celebrate his or her success.”

He said that when he joined the Tshwane University of Technology's sport team, he was reminded that he should not forget that he carried a big surname in terms of sport legacy. “I share surname with the late Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, and everyone believes that I must walk in his footsteps,” he said. “Again, growing up in rural areas does not mean you won't achieve in life. You have to push and believe in yourself that with God all things are possible.”

Collen's journey in athletics started when he was a pupil at Sinthumule High School, where a teacher, Mr Obed Musevhuwa, found a coach for him, Mr David Davhana. When Davhana left the school for a career in politics, Collen was never left alone. Mr Makonde Makhumisane worked hard with him until he won a bronze medal at the South African High School Championship race.

After matric, Collen moved to the Vaal to further his studies, where he joined another coach, Mr Joseph Diale.

Date:14 September 2017

By: Tshifhiwa Mukwevho

Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho was born in 1984 in Madombidzha village, not far from Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. After submitting articles for roughly a year for Limpopo Mirror's youth supplement, Makoya, he started writing for the main newspaper. He is a prolific writer who published his first book, titled A Traumatic Revenge in 2011. It focusses on life on the street and how to survive amidst poverty. His second book titled The Violent Gestures of Life was published in 2014.

Read: 3209