Lebogang Shange has been threatening to win a medal in the 20km race walk at a major event since 2015 maybe on Sunday morning at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games he will get to do so at long last.
Earlier this year he won a race in Mexico, but it was with his performance at last year’s World Championships in London that the HPC-athlete proved the days he is going to allow himself to be intimidated by the world’s best belong to the past.
Shange moved up from 20th at halfway and 23 seconds in arrears, and then went through the field like a man on a mission to take the lead. He was still in the front going into the last lap, but unfortunately, he ran out of steam over the final two kilometres and finished fourth. His effort, however, was not in vain. He clocked a time of 1:19:18 which was 48 seconds faster the South African record he set in 2016 in Adelaide.
“I know I surprised a lot of people last year in London, but they should not have been. I am on top of my game just like the rest of the world’s best race walkers. What is nice is that I am starting to earn respect from my rivals. They are now wary of me every time I get to race them as they know I am capable of beating them."
Shange has made it clear in the past that as far as he is concerned there can be nothing more special than to win a medal for South Africa at World Championships or any of the Games.
“It is something I have dreaming of ever since I started to compete. To win a medal for South Africa will be an honour for me.”
The HPC-athlete is realistic as to the challenge that awaits him at the Games.
“It is not going to be easy. Canada, England India and Australia all have got good race walkers. There are at least ten athletes who have a realistic chance to win the gold medal. The important thing for me will be to focus on my race plan. It will be a mistake for me to go out with the race leaders from the start. I tend to panic and doubt in my abilities if I do so.
“I will do as I have done last year in London and recently in Mexico. I will start off at a pace I am comfortable at for the first few kilometres. In Mexico, I made my move after the eight-kilometre marker. The moment I did, so I dominated the race.”
If the HPC-athlete can have his way, he will be hoping the conditions will be hot and humid when the races start as that is when he usually at his best.
The South African champion, Wayne Snyman (Tuks), could cause a big surprise.
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