‘It was under control,' says Dijana on another epic Comrades clash with Wiersma
Tete Dijana, the 2025 Comrades Marathon winner, said he was 'in full control' even as Dutchman and Nedbank Running Club teammate Piet Wiersma made a charge in the last 2km to close the gap to within about 50m.
Dijana and Wiersma's rivalry is becoming the stuff of Comrades legend.
The South African, a former security guard from Mahikeng in the North West, pipped the Dutchman by three seconds in a sprint finish in the 2023 down run.
Wiersma — after becoming a full-time runner and, as he did ahead of this Sunday's race too, toughening himself in a pre-race camp in the Kenyan mountains in Spartan conditions — won his first Comrades in last year's up run, where Dijana limped over the line with cramps in 14th.
Dijana — who clinched his third Comrades win, adding to those won in the successive down runs of in 2022 and 2023 — ran another down tactical masterclass on Sunday, crediting Nedbank Running coaching guru Dave Adams for the plan.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
39 minutes ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs transfer news: Tau among targets from abroad
Mamelodi Sundowns legend Percy Tau is free after leaving Qatar SC. Betway Premiership giants Kaizer Chiefs will surely assess the possibility. Amakhosi were previously linked with the 31-year-old attacker before he joined Qatar SC after his glittering spell with Al Ahly. The Glamour Boys are actively looking for experienced attacking players. Tau's name has surely been discussed at Naturena this past weekend. Kaizer Chiefs warned on signing Sipho Mbule The Witbank-born player joined Qatar SC in January after leaving Ahly as a free agent. After just 10 appearances that included four assists in the Qatar Stars League, Tau has been released to join a club of his choice… Full story here. Kaizer Chiefs face high pressure to sign new players ahead of next season's 2025/26 Betway Premiership and CAF Confederation Cup. Breaking News: Orlando Pirates defender to Kaizer Chiefs In March, coach Nasreddine Nabi revealed in the media that Amakhosi, thanks to the Thabo Cele deal, were taking a new direction to focus on South African players abroad because of continuing difficulties signing local players. Here's a list of the most high-profile players Kaizer Chiefs will undoubtedly consider and likely enquire about. Mheli Mabuza, 24, right-back, Louletano (Portugal) According to local reports, Mabuza has already returned to Mzansi and started to train with Kaizer Chiefs a week before the final match of last season. Elias Mokwana, 25, winger, Esperance (Tunisia) Reports from Tunisia last week say that Kaizer Chiefs have submitted an offer to sign the Bafana Bafana winger… Full story here. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
40 minutes ago
- IOL News
You feel like you are not inside your own body, says jubilant Steyn
Gerda Steyn has described winning the Comrades Marathon as 'an out-of-body experience'. On a day when Louis Massyn became the first man to complete the race 50 times, the Hollywood Athletics Club athlete reigned supreme once again. Steyn secured her fourth Comrades Marathon title — an unprecedented feat for a woman — with a composed run of 5:51:19, and yet her elation resembled that of a first-time winner. 'The feeling? You feel like you are not inside your own body,' she said during the post-race press conference at Moses Mabhida Stadium. 'It's like you look down on yourself doing it. To get to a point where you are in the finishing straight and you are going to win it — it is meaningful and impactful.' A crowd favourite, Steyn still had the energy for a celebratory lap of honour, high-fiving supporters with her trademark smile — though a rare grimace was spotted during the race, suggesting that this year's win didn't come as easily as in her previous triumphs. 'I try to share it,' she explained. 'That moment is so big, you can't hold it all in one body. So I will try to share it with the supporters. I will forever remember it.'
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs news: Mbule, Monyane and Mako
Mamelodi Sundowns legend Hlompho Kekana has just created further division among Kaizer Chiefs fans, the subject is Sipho Mbule. Despite his widely publicised battle with self-discipline at Sundowns and while on loan at Sekhukhune United last season, should Kaizer Chiefs sign Mbule for his sheer talent and hope for the best? According to Sundowns legend Kekana, the 27-year-old will be a risk for any club, but his talent is undeniable. It is no secret that Amakhosi are in the market for a talented number eight, and who better than their former target Mbule, who has proven PSL and CAF Champions League?… Full Story here. Full list: 10 signings linked with Kaizer Chiefs Kaizer Chiefs have a decision to make. Should they sign Thabiso Monyane from Orlando Pirates as a free agent? The 25-year-old South African junior international's contract with Orlando Pirates expires this month, and the Sea Robbers have made no effort to offer a new deal. According to SABC Sports' Mazola Molefe, Monyane's representatives have offered the Orlando Pirates defender to Kaizer Chiefs… Full story here. Rulani sends honest message to Orlando Pirates boss News coming out of Johannesburg says Kaizer Chiefs are in advanced talks to sign Paseko Mako. The 31-year-old left-back left Orlando Pirates just 24 hours ago. Reports from previous months confirmed that coach Nasreddine Nabi and Amakhosi were set to prioritise the left-back position this winter, with Stellenbosch FC's Fawaaz Basadien the dream target. According to news, Kaizer Chiefs are moments away from signing Mako on a free deal… Full story here. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
