THE first black Comrades Marathon winner, Sam Tshabalala, has showered Ludwick Mamabolo with praise for restoring the pride of the Rainbow Nation in winning the ultra-distance event.
Mamabolo, who finished second in the marathon in 2010, won the event to end the domination of foreigners.
He also spoiled Zimbabwean Stephen Muzwingi's plan for a fourth successive victory.
Tshabalala, who watched the marathon from his home in Zamdela near Sasolburg on television, said: "Ludwick is the future of South Africa in the Comrades Marathon.
"I was highly impressed by his take-off, unlike novice Gert Thys, who started as fast as if he were doing a standard marathon (42.2km).
"I'm so happy that a South African has finally won the Comrades Marathon."
Tshabalala won the race in 1989 after friend and fellow runner Willie Mtolo bet Tshabalala he would never finish the marathon ahead of him.
"Winning the marathon was the last thing on my mind that day. All that I wanted to do was to finish ahead of Willie," said Tshabalala.
Tshabalala was forced to quit running after a car accident in 1991.
While Tshabalala was the first black winner, the first one to win an official Comrades Marathon medal was Vincent Rakabaele, who finished 20th overall in 1975.
Rakabaele ran the event again, finishing fourth in 1976 and eighth in 1977, with many people tipping him to be the first black athlete to win the event, but this was not to be.
Other black people who have won the event include Andrew Kelehe (2001), Fusi Nhlapo (2003) and Sipho Ngomane (2005).
In 1992, Jetman Msuthu was also declared the winner after original champion Charl Mattheus was disqualified for failing a drugs test.
Meanwhile, the red carpet will be rolled out for Mamabolo in Polokwane today.
Though Mamabolo lives in Kempton Park, on the East Rand, his family is from Turfloop, east of Polokwane and he was born in Segopye, a village in Limpopo.
Polokwane mayor Freddy Greaver confirmed yesterday that they will organise a huge party for Mamabolo.
Mamabolo told Sowetan yesterday he was overwhelmed by the support from fellow South Africans.
"My cellphone has not stopped ringing, this is incredible. People are just happy that a South African has finally won the Comrades Marathon," he said.
Tshabalala hails new comrades king
THE first black Comrades Marathon winner, Sam Tshabalala, has showered Ludwick Mamabolo with praise for restoring the pride of the Rainbow Nation in winning the ultra-distance event.
Mamabolo, who finished second in the marathon in 2010, won the event to end the domination of foreigners.
He also spoiled Zimbabwean Stephen Muzwingi's plan for a fourth successive victory.
Tshabalala, who watched the marathon from his home in Zamdela near Sasolburg on television, said: "Ludwick is the future of South Africa in the Comrades Marathon.
"I was highly impressed by his take-off, unlike novice Gert Thys, who started as fast as if he were doing a standard marathon (42.2km).
"I'm so happy that a South African has finally won the Comrades Marathon."
Tshabalala won the race in 1989 after friend and fellow runner Willie Mtolo bet Tshabalala he would never finish the marathon ahead of him.
"Winning the marathon was the last thing on my mind that day. All that I wanted to do was to finish ahead of Willie," said Tshabalala.
Tshabalala was forced to quit running after a car accident in 1991.
While Tshabalala was the first black winner, the first one to win an official Comrades Marathon medal was Vincent Rakabaele, who finished 20th overall in 1975.
Rakabaele ran the event again, finishing fourth in 1976 and eighth in 1977, with many people tipping him to be the first black athlete to win the event, but this was not to be.
Other black people who have won the event include Andrew Kelehe (2001), Fusi Nhlapo (2003) and Sipho Ngomane (2005).
In 1992, Jetman Msuthu was also declared the winner after original champion Charl Mattheus was disqualified for failing a drugs test.
Meanwhile, the red carpet will be rolled out for Mamabolo in Polokwane today.
Though Mamabolo lives in Kempton Park, on the East Rand, his family is from Turfloop, east of Polokwane and he was born in Segopye, a village in Limpopo.
Polokwane mayor Freddy Greaver confirmed yesterday that they will organise a huge party for Mamabolo.
Mamabolo told Sowetan yesterday he was overwhelmed by the support from fellow South Africans.
"My cellphone has not stopped ringing, this is incredible. People are just happy that a South African has finally won the Comrades Marathon," he said.
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