No work pays off for Nhlapo

2003-06-16 22:00

De Jongh Borchardt

Durban - New Comrades champion Fusi Nhlapo lost his job last year, but pocketed more than R500 000 in prize money for winning the gruelling event on Monday after running a brilliant race.

"I was laid off last year by the company for which I was doing contract work at Iscor," said Nhlapo after the race. "With more time on my hands, I could concentrate on my running. I could also sleep until nine o'clock in the morning before beginning my practice runs."

During he past few months, the 32-year old Liberty-Nike athlete from Sebokeng practised in the mountains in Qwa Qwa in the week. He hails from that part of South Africa.

"I practised there during the week, but returned to my wife and daughter at home every weekend."

Wife Claudia was on hand to congratulate her husband when he crossed the finish line on Monday. Three-year old Moipone was on her mother's hip.

"I'm so proud. I won for my country and for my family and intend winning the Comrades a few times more," said Nhlapo, 10th in last year's race.

He was fifth in the previous "down"-run in 2001, and sixth the year before that. "At one stage (during Monday's race), I said to Willie Mtolo that we must ensure that a South African wins the race."

He said he had not decided yet what to do with his prize money. "I have big dreams - perhaps I'll buy my family a house."

Nhlapo had contemplated his race strategy very carefully. "I had planned to win the race and knew that other athletes would start faster than me. For that reason, I held back a bit and began running faster at the halfway mark," said the new champion.

"But I never tried to disrupt the Russians. I merely wanted to mount a strong challenge against them and I remained relaxed right until the end of the race."

With just under 25 kilometres to the finish, Nhlapo accelerated past the two Russians, Oleg Kharitonov and Denis Zhalybin, who were leading the race at that time, and past his team-mate, Walter Nkosi.

"I love the Comrades and would like to win it a few more times. If you really want something, you must be prepared to work very hard. I must never stop dreaming," was the advice from the man whose name has now been added to the list of winners of this famous race.

- Beeld