Fort Hare’s Liyema Qabavane celebrated the end of a tough comeback trail with a magnificent win at the Border Cross Country Championships last weekend.
That the talented 20-year-old’s victory in the men’s 4km came in Alice, where UFH staged the provincials for the first time, made it all the sweeter.
The second-year education student was out of action for six months due to shin splints, necessitating a long and painful rehabilitation process.
However, a second-place finish in Komani on his return to competition in April suggested the worst was behind him.
And so it proved last Saturday when he blitzed the field to take victory in 12:44 – 13 seconds ahead of his closest rival.
“I am proud of myself and am so excited that I have the potential to run well again after such a long time,” Qabavane said.
Fort Hare supported the star runner in every aspect of his recovery, which included intensive physiotherapy in East London as well as strength and conditioning rehab.
After lifting the trophy, he thanked coach Zukisa Wanga for his mentorship.
Fort Hare’s comeback kid, Liyema Qabavane, won the men’s 4km at the Border Cross Country Championships in Alice. Photo: Full Stop Communications
“Even during the holidays,” he pointed out.
The latter praised his young charge, describing him as a composed athlete with a cheerful outlook.
His comeback performance had given him lots of belief ahead of the championships, Wanga said.
Qabavane is renowned for his negative-split strategy, where he runs the second half of a race faster than the first, and will hope to repeat that recipe at the University Sports South Africa (USSA) competition, which takes place next month.
There were other UFH runners who had set pulses racing at the Border champs.
Philasande Dlaba took line honours in the men’s 2km with teammate Thabo Gwangwa following closely behind in third.
Fort Hare grabbed their second of three bronzes in the men’s 10km, thanks to a great run by Thabang Mahlala, who crossed the line in 35:02. The third was collected by Mbali Tube, who completed the women’s 4km in 16:30.
Wanga said race-day conditions had been “ideal” and that the ground presented as “dry and firm” thanks to a lack of winter rains in the Alice area recently.
His runners had also benefitted from home-ground advantage, he believed.
“Knowing the course allowed them to plan when to make decisive moves. We saw some of our athletes running the best races of their life.
“It was also great to witness our beginners improving in their respective races.”
Hosting the provincial championships for the first time had been a “special occasion for Fort Hare”, he said.
Wanga also counted themselves lucky that they were able to call on the support of athletics officer Mihlali Rodolo and sports manager Loyiso Lange whenever needed.
For their role in the event’s success, he expressed his gratitude to team manager Olwethu Nelani, the Border Cross Country Commission and its chair Vuyo Stoto as well as Border Athletics president Sicelo Pongoma.