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Young South African rider has eyes on 2020 Olympics

Reporter: Julie Scheier 丨 CCTV.com

06-06-2016 11:50 BJT

To South Africa, where we meet a talented, yet underprivileged BMX rider eager to represent his country in an upcoming series of championships. Despite missing out on Rio for being too young, the rider has now set his sights on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The promise and hope for a better future usually begins in a small village like this one in Kwazulu Natal province, where Manqoba Madida was raised alongside his three brothers.

In rural and remote places like here, caring for family members and tending to farming are usually priority. But 16-year-old Madida has become somewhat of a BMX star in his village, and his friends want to see him go further.

He said, "We want the best for his career. I wish to see hm in the 2020 Olympics." 

Madida, took up the sport seriously when he was 11 years old, since then he has flourished and has become one of the country's top BMX talents.

"Considering his background, he's come from a disadvantaged background in terms of not having financial backing behind him, not having all the things. We take for granted on a day to day basis. He joined our program when he was 11 years old. He could hardly speak english but was just keen to ride a bike and from the minute he got on the bike we recognised there was something special there," said Travers Gouveia, BMX mentor.

"We want to see him go all the way, I believe that he could I think he is hungry for it. He loves the sport. He has a passion for it and it's a goal that he wants, so I think he can go all the way."

But despite his achievements Madida won't be going to RIO 2016 - he's being held back for being to young.

But he's not one to shy away from challenges and understands that he now has to work hard for Tokyo 2020.

"In 2020 I think things will go well. The things I will achieve will be good, as long as I train hard things will go right. I might win there. I might get a gold medal- that's what I want to achieve and that is what I'm working hard for," said Madida.

Madida has many dreams but making it to the Olympics would mean - a future free of poverty, and a chance to help himself and his family.

He also said, "To go to the Olympic Games- the Olympic competition it will mean a lot to me because that is my dream, that's why I am doing this sport because I want to achieve that and that's why I'm working hard in the sport so that I can get there and achieve my dream".

"I love BMX because it is a good sport. BMX is a sport that takes me overseas, it's a sport that has given me experience its something that I love."

"BMX changed my life by taking me overseas- that's when I started realising BMX is something that can make my future bright."

Rising BMX star Manqoba Madida is determined to represent South Africa at the Tokyo Olympic Games. There is still four years to go - - but Madida already has his dreams and goals planned out.

"My dream in life is to have good results in my Matric and after Matric I will be doing my sport, and in my sport my dream is to get to the Olympics in 2020 and if I get selected I am sure I will make my country proud." said Madida.

"Things will go right and well. As long as I train hard so my dream for this sport is to go to the olympics in 2020 and to become a world champion some day."

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