Thursday, February 6, 2025

Matlapeng vows to dethrone Zimbabwean king of the hill

Local marathon athlete Sesebo Matlapeng is eager to be crowned this year’s king of the hill. Matlapeng vows to oust Zimbabwean Gilbert Mutandero in the PPC kgale hill challenge slated for the 5th of June in Gaborone. The pintsized athlete emerged second after Mutandero in the last edition despite touching down the line in first position.

Mutandero was crowned king of the hill after reaching top of the Kgale hill despite finishing third in the overall race. Speaking to The Telegraph this week, Matlapeng revealed that he started preparation of the challenge in March and is well conditioned to give the defending champion a fierce battle.

‘’ I have been working on my weaknesses and now I am ready to conquer. Last year it was challenging and competition was high. I had to improve on my speed and believe I am on the right track to take the crown home,” said Matlapeng. He revealed that intentions of this season are to clock personal best in all races that he competes.

‘’I am more than ready, I have been doing well this season in both road and track races clocking personal best and hopefully will continue impressing at the Kgale challenge and will make sure that I reach the summit of the hill first,” Matlapeng confidently told The Telegraph. However, Matlapeng will face stiff competition from the likes of Rapula Dihoko and Bashingile Ndabile who were second and third respectively in last year’s competition.

With the competition giving youngsters an opportunity to showcase talent, the likes of Botho Marope, Tshephang Ramanki and Saone Moilwa are likely to throng the event in the junior girls’ category. Marope emerged the winner last year followed by Ramanki and Moilwa. Boys’ category defending champion Sylvester Koko will also face a fierce battle from the likes of Bakang Matlho and Bolokang Molotha.

Unlike in the past where there was one winner being the king of the hill, organisers have added the queen of the hill to motivate woman in partaking in the event. PPC Spokesperson Werner Der Beer said ‘’this time around we will award the first gentleman and the first lady to reach top of the hill, we have realised that it was not fair for woman to compete with man counterparts for the same crown,” said Der Beer.

RELATED STORIES

Read this week's paper