This Amputated Man Inspired People With His Ironman Race. He did all of these obstacles with just one leg, defying the odds that were given to him.
Xolani Luvuno has touched the hearts of South Africans when he participated and finished the Comrades Marathon. He has does it again by finishing his first Ironman race this weekend. Hein Venter, Xolani’s mentor, was beside him throughout the whole race. Xolani finished every obstacle that he was given at the race.
The race was in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape this Saturday. The athlete finished the half Ironman. His mentor said that he finished the 180km cycle but missed the time that was appointed by only five minutes. He also completed the 50km run and the 4km swim. He did all of these obstacles with just one leg, defying the odds that were given to him.
Venter said,“He fell in the transition area after the swim, broke a bone in his hand and lost about 10 minutes while his hand was being strapped.”
Xolani had left a lot of people inspired when he finished last year’s Comrades Marathon. He was close to getting a medal but an online petition was released that asked for him to get a medal for his efforts. Xolani’s story hit the hearts of a lot of his fans. When he was still a teenager the athlete left school and started going through crime.
He had to have his leg cut off from above the knee in 2009 when he was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. After his leg was cut off, the amputated athlete started living under the bridge and went through a fight with drugs. In 2016, he met Hein Venter at Centurion. Hein is an entrepreneur. Hein thought it would be a good idea to take Xolani off the streets and place him under his athletics group. Xolani wants to participate in the full Ironman next time.
Watch as Xolani Luvuno completes the Ironman race:
by Alexandra Ramaite
