00:00He broke his wrist conquering the world's toughest race.
00:03Does Sitchaba Chabili still have what it takes to conquer the mountain?
00:07The roof of Africa is a 350 kilometer vertical graveyard for bikes and bodies.
00:13It's the world's riskiest ride.
00:15But for Sitchaba Chabili, the mountain is personal.
00:18It's where he lost a year to a shattered wrist
00:20and where he carries the memory of a father who never saw him finish.
00:28As I'm about to start my race, I feel a lot better today.
00:33The thought of knowing I'm about to finish the whole three days, you know.
00:39I'm feeling strong, I'm feeling great and I want to bring the wind back home.
00:43Can Lesita's top off-road racer overcome injury and make history at the roof of Africa?
00:4925-year-old Sitchaba Chabili, racing name Shishmoto 300, is the first Masutu to finish the final day of the
00:56roof of Africa in the silver class.
00:58Third place goes to Sitchaba Chabili.
01:09In 2023, a crash left him with a broken wrist, sidelining him for a year.
01:14Now he's training for a comeback in the 2025 roof of Africa, facing the Maluti mountains and world-class competitors.
01:22I had to do a lot of procedures, you know.
01:27Took a physio as a first step on my wrist to heal and just telling myself that I can do
01:35this, I can do better.
01:36Hard enduro is a sport of extreme wealth. While international giants have mobile workshops and support stations, Sitchaba relies on
01:44a crew of volunteers and his own mechanical skill.
01:47On this terrain, a mechanical failure isn't just a lay, it's the end of a dream.
01:54This competition is the mother of all hard enduros, spanning up to 350 kilometres and climbing over 3000 metres.
02:02My strategy for this year's race is to ride hard in the mornings, before everyone gets in form, you know.
02:14Hit them hard in the morning and relax during the day.
02:19Hit them hard in the afternoon on our way back to the finish.
02:23But can a recovering rider with no factory backing survive a top 10 hunt against the world's elite?
02:31My fitness level is low now, so I needed some tips from other good guys, you know.
02:39Most riders are international, but Sitchaba fights for pursuit of pride against financial and physical odds.
02:46Motorsport is exclusive, but Sitchaba's journey inspires a new generation.
02:50The impact in local riders, or young Basetu riders, is, you know, they must get inspired.
02:57They need to keep on seeing him.
03:00A lot of them know where he started.
03:02He wasn't always a good rider like he is now.
03:04But I mean, you've got to start somewhere.
03:05You've got to start right at the bottom, work your way up.
03:09And hopefully, look, there's been a lot of up and downs, you know, with Sitchaba.
03:13There's been a lot of, you know, unfortunate issues where he broke his shoulder, this, that and the other.
03:18In the process, he lost his dad.
03:19So at one stage, he actually was giving up, but, you know, resilient.
03:24Feel impact is seen in the eyes of the youth.
03:27What does it mean for the next generation to see one of their own leading the pack?
03:31I love that it's a sport, which obviously is dominated by people who come from outside of the country.
03:36I love the fact that the locals are actually partaking in the sport.
03:41So I think it really makes me feel good knowing that they're people and they're kids who aspire to ride
03:48bikes and to the roof.
03:49I'm rooting for Sitchaba Chabedi, which is one of the few local people here.
03:55And I've just watched his performance and I'm really rooting for him and I'm hoping to see him win.
04:00The roof of Africa brings millions to Lesotho, filling hotels and creating jobs.
04:06Sitchaba's comeback is more than personal.
04:08It's a symbol of hope for disadvantaged youth and a boost for national pride.
04:13Motor sport is growing now in Desutu.
04:17In the roof, we have, like, more numbers of riders.
04:20Like in South Africa, we have, like, young riders rising there.
04:24It's a privilege, you know, representing my country and riding in my own turf, you know.
04:35The roof is our home race, so being part of it and having to perform is good.
04:46Honestly, I'm more than excited to be riding here.
04:50With limited resources, the final day was excruciating.
04:55Today was really tough, you know.
04:57It was really, really tough.
04:59In the morning, it was flowing.
05:02The track was flowing.
05:03But the second loop was very hard and long.
05:07But Sitchaba didn't just survive.
05:10He shattered expectations.
05:12Top Masutu, ninth racer overall in the bronze category.
05:15A victory for resilience, representation and the kingdom in the sky.
05:21크�ate expected.
05:22It is very good for some ideas in the temple.
05:23I think it may come somewhere.
05:25… and see.
05:25…
05:25behaved.
05:25Em what school mean calmed ...
05:26…
05:26…
05:26…
05:26ready?
Comments