A paddler in the Hansa Powerade 50 Miler became another crime statistic which stopped him from taking the start line for the second day of the event at Inanda Dam today.
Dusi star, Loveday Zondi, who made Dusi history when he finished 3rd in the last k1 (singles) Dusi in 2005 was assaulted in his home near Inanda Dam and ended up in hospital.
According to a member of a TV crew that was filming the star at his home during the night, a man who appeared to be drunk was asked to leave the Zondi residence. The man threw a rock at Zondi which dislocated his shoulder. The crew who are filming a documentary for international TV networks captured some of the drama on video.
“It is such a shame that this happened to one of South Africa’s top sportsman. Not only did this stop his race dead in it’s tracks, I think this puts his chances of a victory in the Hansa Powerade Dusi in January in jeopardy” said Ray de Vries spokesman for the event.
“When Loveday didn’t arrive at the start of the second day of the Hansa Powerade 50 Miler, we became really worried. A member of the TV crew informed me as to what had happened and I alerted race officials.
Zondi was admitted to Greys Hospital where it was confirmed that he had dislocated his left shoulder. He was discharged from the hospital after midnight last night (Saturday).
“I spoke to Loveday earlier today and he was sad that his race had ended, but was overwhelmed by the messages of support he had received from his fellow paddlers and others in the canoeing fraternity” said de Vries
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