[dropcap]A[/dropcap] 25-year-old James Mwaura is the first ever African selected to participate in the prestigious Red bull Tran Siberian international bicycle cycling race slated for Moscow, Russia this year.
The 14-day competition also known as the most challenging and toughest has 18 of the world’s best cyclists against whom Mwaura will compete.
The tough race set to begin on July 24, this year will see competitors go for long and short distances in different time zones and in extreme weather conditions of East, Middle East and Asia to complete the 9, 100 kilometres in 14 days.
According to Mwaura, his family and friends were happy with the news and were optimistic that their son will make it bearing the hard work with which he trains and has participated in previous competitions.
Mwaura, whose worldwide brand name is “RGM and The Lion” of Africa, is equally feared among equals with whom he will be participating.
However, Mwaura faces financial challenge of raising at least Ksh 2.25 million for registration to be paid before April 1 this year.
His prayer is that sponsors of good-will would chip in to help him realise his lifetime dream and rare chance, which according to him should not be wasted.
His last year’s application into the race which saw only 10 riders complete did not meet the limit which made him give out for other races even after having covered 962 kilometres in 22 hours but little did he know that this year his dream would be filled.
Mwaura is optimistic to emerge the winner in the race bearing the extreme hot conditions in the East of Narok and Extreme cold in the North relevant in addition to his gymnasium training plan.
His preparation further will entail heart beat test to measure his hearts strength so as to endure a daily 12 hour training programme in addition to specialised safe diet.
Mwaura, who has a personal best standing at 628 kilometres in 28 hours, has assured the country that he will bring home the Gold medal.
Other requirements in preparation for the prestigious race include at least two professional bikes that cost Ksh 240, 000 each, shoes, special weather gear and a full support team.
In addition, special diet for cycling is strictly recommended as a supplement for enough energy free of performance enhancing drugs.
However, Mwaura regrets the little effort granted towards supporting bike racing through an effective federation.
Mwaura’s dream is to promote tourism in the county that is the home of Maasai Mara game reserve where wildebeest migration takes place every year.
“Once I return home with success, my dream is to support women cyclists for the 2019 Olympic team so as to match other world super teams,” he says.
Mwaura’s greatest inspiration emanates from a bullet lodged near his ribs that freezes him whenever he rides in cold conditions, which also remind him of his late father who passed away in a shootout incident at their home.
Mwaura, who has won over 80 major trophies in several international awards as well as over 20 African countries is specialised in road racing, in-house road racing, team time trial, individual team trial, mountain biking, downhill, free biking, dart biking and track among others but his favourite is the mountain climbing.
Jane Mbugua, his mother, says she received the good news from her son through a Whatsup message but later called him to confirm.
Mbugua, who is a widow, recalls having collected herself through prayer before celebrating due to the competitive nature of the sporting discipline.
She says that discipline had remained key to her son’s ambition to achieve the best and he has also motivated his last born son.
“My son Mwaura has severally turned down international offers to change nationality because of his talent. But he loves his country Kenya and has made up his mind to represent Kenya in his games,” he says.
His motivators internationally include Monttedo of Spain, Nibbally from Italy and Luis Armtrong who has had controversial shortcomings.
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Mwaura was born and brought up in Majengo estate of Narok town. He was at the age of 17, shot four times and injured by armed robbers in his stomach.
The teenager was forced to remain in and out of Ole Kejuado high school to seek medication.
At some point, doctors advised him to drop sporting events as he used to play rugby and boxing.
However, with time he regained strength and despite having three bullets lodged in his stomach he started swimming.
After high school, he pursued Forensic science at the Nazarene University but he wanted to experience the thrill of cycling.
Mbugua later dropped his studies and decided to be a rider. Luckily, he bumped into his coach Maloba Eli as he was training every day along Narok highway.
Maloba enrolled him to Team Riders that is based in Narok. He later organised tours for him outside the country that has helped him build his career.
His ideal day starts at 3am as he trains hard cycling 500 kilometres a day.
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