Two-time Comrades Marathon winner, Zimbabwean Stephen Muzhingi, has hinted that he might opt for South African citizenship because he feels that his achievements are not fully recognized back home among his compatriots.Muzhingi, who this year successfully managed to defend the Comrades Marathon title, feels unappreciated and believes he should have been named the 2009 Zimbabwean Sportsperson Of The Year for becoming the first local in history to win the gruelling 89,2km event.
The South Africans are more proud of me and maybe this is why I should become a South African. It is so hard to be recognized in my own country but maybe now, with this second win, I might just be recognized at home, he said.
The South African based runner, who trains in Durban, says his strength to succeed came from the South African people, who continued to cheer him on even though he lagged behind during the punishing first half of the race.