'I want to win' - Mudziganyama on writing himself into the Two Oceans history books
Defending champion Givemore Mudzinganyama will line-up for this year's Totalsports Two Oceans ultra marathon knowing that he could write himself into the history books. Zimbabwean-born Mudzinganyama who won last year's race in a time of 3:09:56 is on a quest to become the first male athlete in 19 years to secure a back to back titles at the world's most beautiful ultra marathon on the 13th of April. The 33-year-old who trains at Zoo Lake under the watchful eye of 2004 New York Marathon winner Hendrick Ramaala says that defending his title would be something he would cherish.
"Eish, I don't know much about the history of the race where it comes to previous winners and records. But I think if I can win it back to back will be something huge in my career," explains Mudzinganyama, who runs in the colours of Entsika Running Club. The last man to achieve that feat was Mudzinganyama's countryman Marco Mambo, who won the race three times in the 2000's, with successive wins in 2004 and 2005.
"I know Marco even though I only met him once face to face. His achievements in sports though are widely known by anyone that loves athletics. He is the big figure back in Zimbabwe. He is one of the athletes that represented the country with pride. I just can't find the right words to express his influence and achievements he accumulated in his career. If I can be able to achieve what he did then I would be happy. So I'm looking forward to add my name to the history books," he told #ThetopRunner.
The 52nd edition of the race around the Cape Peninsula has been spiced up by the announcement of former world 50km record holder Stephen Mokoka, who is stepping up to challenge for the R250 000 winners prize money. But Mudzinganyama, who resides in Thembisa, believes that the 56km race is tough and because of that it tends to be unpredictable.
" Since I have started following the race, I don't remember once when the winner is guaranteed before the race. It always keeps people glued to their screens waiting for the winner. The reason is the strong field that always assembled to take part. So nothing is different this time around. I believe that the athletes have trained hard like I have and also have a goal to win it. At the end of the day, the competition is needed so we can improve as the athletes. Surely I want to win. I have never lined-up in a race to lose it. I have done all the necessary training to get ready for the race day. I think my body will take me to the finish line. To win the race again would means a lot to me."
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