‘A medal will create interest’
Shange wants his sport taken more seriously
Wait until I have won a medal at a major international competition and people will follow race walking with keen interest.
This is the view of SA’s star race walker Lebogang Shange, who at the weekend was named the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) Athlete of the Year for yet another remarkable season.
Shange, 27, is one of the country’s three accomplished race walkers, who alongside Marc Mundel and Wayne Snyman, have kept SA on the world map.
“I came so close at the world champs [in London in August] but I am certain my breakthrough will come,” Shange told Sowetan shortly after he beat world long jump bronze medallist Ruswahl Samaai to the CGA top award on Saturday.
Mapaseka Makhanya was voted the province’s best senior female athlete.
“I might not have all the necessary support but I am grinding. [In comparison] other guys have doctors, physios around them,” said Shange.
“If I win that elusive world championship medal, I think it will make people stand up and take race walking seriously like other track and field events.”
The lad from Orange Farm, south of Joburg is often referred to by his international peers as the “small black boy from Africa”.
“They are fascinated by a black guy from a township doing race walking.
“I always train with the Australians and I am still able to beat them in competition,” said Shange, who is looking forward to invade the 20km walk contest at the Commomwnealth Games in the Gold Coast next April.
“I am number one in the Commomwnealth nations I'll do my best there next year.”