Tete Dijana, a North West-based athlete, has made a name for himself as a two-time winner of the Comrades Marathon, one of the most prestigious ultramarathons in the world. His recent victory has garnered him a substantial cash prize of R1.7 million, which he plans to use to secure his daughters’ futures.
Investing in His Children’s Future
Despite his numerous victories, Dijana remains humble and grounded in his priorities, revealing to Drum Magazine that he intends to invest his winnings to benefit his children. He has already used a portion of his earnings to purchase a car and construct a four-bedroom home, which is almost complete, with only the roof remaining. Dijana looks forward to living in his dream home with his family.
Ambitions Beyond Personal Wealth
Dijana’s ambitions extend beyond personal wealth. Despite having to drop out of university due to financial constraints, he hopes to resume his studies after completing a three-year contract with Nedbank. Additionally, he aspires to become a running coach and share his knowledge and experience with other athletes.
Preparation and Determination
Dijana’s success in the Comrades Marathon was not a stroke of luck. He approached the challenge with fierce determination and confidence in his abilities, reflecting on his rigorous preparation. His daily training routine involved twice-daily sessions during the week and once-daily sessions on weekends, as well as a two-month training camp.
The Role of Discipline
Dijana’s disciplined lifestyle during the training camp played a crucial role in his victory. The camp’s strict diet and training regimen focused on hill work, speed work, and distance work, with participants consuming vegetables, white meat, potatoes, and pasta while abstaining from other starches. Dijana humorously attributes his race-day power to the pap – a popular South African maize porridge – he ate two days before the event.
Inspiring Others with His Success
The Comrades Marathon is a proving ground for athletes like Dijana, who has demonstrated his dedication, talent, and unwavering focus on the future. As he continues to carve his path in the sporting world, Tete Dijana serves as an inspiring example to others, demonstrating the rewards that await those who dare to dream big and work tirelessly toward their goals.
