Lebogang Shange proved over the weekend with his victory in the 20km race walk during the Memorial Jerzy Hausleber Meeting in Monterrey, Mexico that he indeed can medal at the Commonwealth Games. 

The HPC-athlete won in 1:24:32 with Carlos Sanchez (Mexico) second in 1:24:59 and Mauricio Arteaga (Ecuador) third in 1:25:10.

An elated Shange described his victory afterwards as a “walk in the park”.

“I cannot believe how easy it was to win. It was important to start my 2018 campaign with a bang as I wanted to prove that my fourth place during last year’s World Championships in London was no fluke. 

“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.”

Shange continued by saying that he has adopted a fearless approach when it comes to racing.

“I still feel a bit nervous before a race but it is good as that gets my adrenaline pumping. Once the race starts, I truly believe I am as good as any of the other walkers competing.”

Shange admits that winning a medal at the Commonwealth Games is a big priority for him.

“I think there is no bigger honour than winning a medal for your country. Thanks to two brilliant coaches, Chris Britz (Tuks) and Sandor Racz, I am at the moment in a perfect place.”

Racz represented Hungary at the 2016 Olympic Games.

The statistics certainly favour Shange. At the end of last year his South African record time of 1:19:18 placed him 12th on the IAAF-rankings. It was also the fastest time by a Commonwealth athlete. 

It is expected that the conditions during race day at the Gold Coast are going to be hot and humid. Britz reckons the hotter it is going to be during the Commonwealth race the more it will suit the HPC-athlete.

“Lebogang is an athlete who relishes it to race in hot conditions. That might count in his favour.”

Shange feels a bit saddened by the lack of recognition race walking gets in South Africa.

“I am busting myself internationally to make sure that international racing community takes note that there are good race walkers in South Africa. And I am winning the battle, but locally it feels as if my efforts are in vain. 

“The whole international Grand Prix concept is exciting for South African athletics, but I cannot understand as to why there has been made no provision for race walkers to compete. We would have been happy just to compete in mile race to give us the opportunity to showcase our talents and create awareness for our sport.”