Latest news with #Dijana
TimesLIVE
09-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Dijana says he conquered ‘the devil' to win 2025 Comrades
Tete Dijana felt he conquered 'the devil' by winning the 2025 Comrades Marathon on Sunday's , recovering from a gruelling run where he struggled with dizziness and cramps to finish 14th last year. The 37-year-old from Mahikeng in the North West crossed the line in 5hrs 25min 28sec to bag his third Comrades Marathon down run triumph. He won the back-to-back downs in 2022 and 2023. Dijana beat second-placed Dutchman and last year's winner Piet Wiersma by just five seconds, replicating the sprint finish between the Nedbank Running Club teammates and result of the last down race in 2023.
IOL News
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Dijana and Steyn take Comrades glory
Tete Dijana won his third Comrades Marathon title in the down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on Sunday. Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers Down run king Tete Dijana came out victorious with Piet Wiersma hot on his heels during the 98th edition of the Comrades Marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on Monday. On the women's front, Gerda Steyn made it her fourth Comrades Marathon win. Dijana said he felt like a real winner, and he was indeed, a 'down-run real champion'. 'I was so excited. Very, very excited and also emotional because I remember what happened last year… I was in the best shape, but the devil came, so I was happy that at least the devil didn't attack me this year,' Dijana said. 'I've been getting pressure from social media saying, 'don't let it go again', they used the word again. So I had to fix everything.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Dijana said he came prepared. His game plan in the morning was eyeing everyone, checking who was leading, but not underestimating his mates. On Wiersma closing in on him, Dijana said: 'In the last 10 kilometres, I saw he was closing in. Then I accelerated a little bit, and then the gap opened.' Wiersma, the 2024 champion, said he felt like he was in the best shape of his life and even better than last year. 'I was having a lot of discomfort over those last kilometres. Sometimes I was closing and sometimes Tete was gaining some distance,' Wiersma said. 'He's the absolute down run king, right now. I'm going to try next year to be the upper king again.' Third-place Nikolai Volkov said the race went according to his plan. 'The first part of the race was based only on my feelings,' Volkov said. 'At one point in time, I was outraced by a big group of 15 people. I decided that I didn't want to go with them. I was still trying to cooperate with my feelings. In the last 20km, I caught up to 12 guys from this group.' Gerda Steyn clinched her fourth Comrades Marathon title on Sunday. Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers Steyn said she set out at not too blistering a pace, a little bit more of a conservative approach. "I really wanted to run the race correctly. It worked out well. It got comfortable for most of the way,' Steyn said. 'There was a little bit of a moment where I realised that Alexandra (Morozova) was closing the gap on me quite significantly in the really last stages of the race, which really made me stay on my toes and make sure that I am 100% focused and getting the most out of myself.' The champion said she had a time in mind, but not a strict one. She planned on getting in under 5 hours and 55 minutes. She added that it was an honour to give Hollywood Athletics Club a winner this year. Second place, Morozova said this is her best Comrades result and her best pace. 'Until the 30th kilometre, I kept the pace with Gerda… but after the 30th kilometre, it became clear that it was just a warm-up for Gerda… I decided to let Gerda run her race and to play my game,' Morozova said. 'I'm really glad I held my second place because at one point in time, I thought that the race for me was almost over. 'At one point in the race, I saw how Dominika (Stelmach) started to close the gap, and I was really afraid that she'll catch me.' Shelmisth Muriuki claimed third place on her first Comrades Marathon. 'I would like to say that it is through God's grace because I almost gave up at 50km… because my legs were paining, I had blisters… it is just God,' Muriuki said. 'The race was good. It was amazing.' Cape Times
The Citizen
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Lucrative victories: How much Dijana and Steyn earned in prize money
Steyn received a little more than Dijana for reaching a hotspot point first. Tete Dijana after winning the men's race at the Comrades Marathon on Sunday. Picture: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images Comrades Marathon winners Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn were well rewarded on Sunday, raking in more than R1.5 million each at the annual ultra-distance race in KwaZulu-Natal. Dijana held off a challenge from Dutch athlete Piet Wiersma to win the men's race in 5:25:28, securing his third career Comrades victory. Steyn won the women's race by nearly five minutes, completing the 90km contest in 5:51:19 to earn her fourth Comrades title. Prize money and bonuses For their efforts, both athletes took home R874 000 as the race winners. In addition, they received R200 000 as the first South African runners to finish, while Steyn also picked up R50 000 for being the first woman through a hotspot point in the second half of the race. While neither athlete broke their own race records, which were set on a course that was more than two kilometres shorter in 2023, they both also received R500 000 for setting the fastest average pace ever recorded in the men's and women's 'down' run events. In total, Dijana took home R1.574 million and Steyn earned R1.624 million.
Daily Maverick
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Analysis: The Comrades Marathon ‘day of drama' starring Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn as victors
The Comrades Marathon is always a riveting show. On Sunday, Gerda Steyn and Tete Dijana starred — supported by cast members from all walks of life. The beauty of the Comrades Marathon is that it doesn't matter whether you are an elite athlete or a novice runner — crossing that finish line after hours of running evokes the same emotions: elation and relief. After hours of testing one's body, mind and spirit, reaching the finish is the best reward. The medal is just a bonus. As such, everyone who managed to endure the physical torture that comes with running the ultramarathon would have been as thrilled as the two 2025 champions, Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads On Sunday, about 22,000 runners lined up for the 98th edition of one of the toughest ultramarathons in the world, battling themselves and the clock for victory during the 90km run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. 'What a day of drama. Packed with action from the start, the men's race, the women's race. Then, of course, there was the greatest race of all: everybody against the clock. That clock ticks at a relentless pace. It never cramps and it never gets tired. It just keeps going,' said nine-time Comrades champion Bruce Fordyce on SuperSport. Dijana's redemption Chasing redemption following a calamitous display as defending champion in 2024 — which saw him finish 14th — Dijana paced himself admirably on the way to crossing the finish line first, in 5:25:28. A year ago, the pressure of winning a historic hat-trick of Comrades titles had tripped Dijana up. He was also hampered by cramps. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads In 2025, there were no such occurrences. Dijana bunched up with fellow favourites including the eventual men's runner-up, Piet Wiersma, Edward Mothibi, David Gatebe and Joseph Manyedi. They were all chasing the early pacesetter, Onalenna Khonkhobe. Khonkhobe did not finish the race, despite leading it for 4½ hours. At one point, the 2024 Two Oceans Marathon winner enjoyed a gap of 19 minutes from the chasing pack, which featured Dijana and Wiersma. At Pinetown's Cowies Hill, the chasers caught up to and passed Khonkhobe. Then Dijana, Wiersma and Mothibi peeled away from the bunch. However, Mothibi struggled to keep up with Wiersma and Dijana. 'Today was not a good day for me. I was fit, I was ready. It's only when you run where you don't know what to expect,' said Mothibi. 'With 20km to go, I started cramping, but I held on. When Tete saw I was not coming back, he asked me what's going on. I said, 'I'm getting cramps. I don't think I'll be good to run with you. So, if you have a chance to go, just go.' He did exactly that,' said he 2019 winner. After failing to chase Dijana down, the Netherlands' Wiersma acknowledged that he and Dijana had built a rivalry over the last few years — one which will probably persist for some time as the two marathoners seek to outshine each other. 'Tete is clearly the down-run king right now. But I hope I can be the up-run king with a victory next year,' said Wiersma. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads Steyn reigns supreme While the crown for the current king of the Comrades is being jousted for by Dijana and Wiersma, Olympian Steyn reigns supreme in the women's segment. Nevertheless, in Sunday's down run, Steyn did not have it all her way, with 2022 champion Alexandra Morozova putting pressure on her. Steyn wore her trademark smile for large portions of the race. However, at times, she grimaced as Morozova hovered over her shoulder. Eventually, Steyn's experience and home advantage paid dividends as she cruised to victory over the Russian, with a gap of almost five minutes. In third place, Kenya's Shelmith Muriuki became the first black woman to finish on the Comrades podium. Despite her history-making achievement, Muruiki finished 16 minutes behind home favourite Steyn. 'You feel like you are not inside your own body. It's like you are looking down on yourself doing it. To get to a point where you are in the finishing straight and you are going to win, it is meaningful and impactful,' said Steyn after her fourth Comrades victory. With more than 24,000 entries for this year's race, the organisers split the participants into two groups at the starting point. They were 15 minutes apart, with the elite runners heading off first. advertisement Don't want to see this? Remove ads About 22,000 runners eventually lined up and the staggered start worked well in preventing pushing and shoving at the beginning. The exercise was a trial run for 2027, when many more participants are expected due to it being the 100th Comrades Marathon. DM
IOL News
08-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Dijana declares himself the true Down Run champion
Tete Dijana won the men's race in the Comrades on Sunday. Photo: Sibonelo Ngcobo Independent Media Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo Independent Media "Indeed, I am a real Down Run champion!" There was an uncharacteristically cocky air about Tete Dijana late Sunday morning, deep within the bowels of the Moses Mabhida Stadium, as he addressed the post-race media conference. Responding to some questions with monosyllabic answers, and with his face cupped in his hands as he sat at the head table, he gave the impression of someone who would rather have been elsewhere. But make no mistake — Dijana was right where he wanted to be: in the spotlight, the centre of attention, basking in the glory of a Comrades Marathon victory that settled more than a few scores. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ First, he comfortably beat his Nedbank Running Club teammate Piet Wiersma — the Dutchman who had given him a major scare two years ago during the Down Run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. Second, he made up for last year's nightmare run, which saw him plagued by dizziness and cramps, ultimately finishing outside the top 10 and missing out on a third successive Comrades crown. Wiersma, the 2023 Up Run winner, was tipped by many as the stronger contender heading into this year's race. But Dijana, ever determined, proved his supremacy on the Down Run. 'I came prepared,' he said. 'I made sure Piet worked hard. I made some surges and moves so I could be comfortable. In the last 10 kilometres he was closing in, so I accelerated a little and that gap opened up.' He said to expect the unexpected 😏 Tete Dijana puts the struggles of 2024 behind him with an emphatic win 👇 📺 Stream #Comrades2025 on DStv: — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 8, 2025 Dijana clocked 5:25:28 — just five seconds ahead of Wiersma — although the margin of victory felt more comfortable than in 2022, when he won by only three seconds. When asked how it felt to cross the finish line first, his initial reply was simple: 'Unexplainable.' But with a bit more probing, he opened up. 'I was so excited and also emotional, because I remembered what happened last year when I was in my best shape — but the devil came,' he said, referencing his inexplicable 2023 struggles, which also affected his training group, affectionately known as The Happy Bunch. 'I'm happy that the devil did not attack me this year.' Instead, Dijana attacked the race. Alongside Wiersma and Edward Mothibi, he launched a late charge that overhauled Onalenna Khonkhobe, who had led from the start until just 18 kilometres from the finish. Dijana said the support from fans inspired him to run with renewed purpose. 'I'd been getting pressure from social media — my fans were saying, 'Don't let it go again.' They used the word again. I had to fix everything, because those people — when I was down last year, emotionally and physically — lifted my spirits.' 'When I was training, I told myself I wasn't going to run for me, I was going to run for them.' And run for them he did. Their cheers echoed through the stadium as he crossed the finish line, completing a hat-trick of Down Run victories following his triumphs in 2022 and 2023. He is, indeed, a true Down Run champion.
