‘THE BEST OF ME IS YET TO COME’

He was the first Swazi to cross the finish line during the Swazi Slojos Standard Bank Half Marathon on Saturday at Somhlolo National Stadium.

He clocked 1:06:49 hours to finish third, behind South African athletes Flavio Sehohle and Abednigo Mashaba. That is Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force (USDF) athlete Melusi ‘Roy’ Sihlongonyane. He is one of the upcoming long distance athletes in the country.

He has dominated some of the half marathons held in the country this year. He was the winner of the Tuff One, Simunye 21km and the Royal Swaziland Police (RSP) athletics team 12km race. Sihlongonyane said one of his highlights in athletics was when he came fourth in a marathon held in Mozambique. He said the race was dominated by some of the top athletes in the region. He said during the Mozambican race, the winner of the Swazi Slojos Flavio Sehohle came far behind him. The 22-year- old athlete said the best from him is yet to be seen.

Times: Who is Melusi Sihlongonyane?
Melusi: I’m an athlete from the USDF.

Times: When did you start athletics?
Melusi: Since I was young I just loved athletics. I started by running long distances on my own without easily getting tired. Then in 2011 I started to attend some of the races held in the country, but I was not winning and I was running without guidance.

Times: When and how you joined the USDF team?
Melusi: In 2012. It was during one of the races when an official from the USDF team approached me and asked if I can join their team and I did so as the Athletics Association of Swaziland (AAS) encourages athletes to join teams.

Times: How did it feel to be the first Swazi to cross the finish line during the Swazi Slojos 21.1km race on Saturday?
Melusi: My performance during the Swazi Slojos Standard Bank Marathon was not good. I had a little pain in my chest and it affected my performance. My aim was to win the first prize. The two South Africans who came in front of me are not better than me. They came behind me in Mozambique where I came fourth. If it was not for the chest pain, I could have won the race.

Times: What do you need to improve your performance?
Melusi: I need a coach to be attached to and also get enough time for training. Now I’m training by myself and that is stalling progress in my career. I’m happy that USDF also helps us with the training programme but I would be happier if I would get a coach who will always be with me and guide me. I also need to attend many competitions internationally. This helps to gauge you with the best. I’m happy that USDF is taking us to some competitions in South Africa and Mozambique.

Times: Where do you see yourself in the next couples of years?
Melusi: The best from me is yet to come. If everything goes well, I will be one of the best athletes in the country in long distance. I wish I could represent the country in regional half marathons as that is where I’m best.

Times: Thanks for your time Melusi and all the best in your career.
Melusi: Thanks.

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