The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
MOTOCROSS protégé Daiyaan Manuel (pictured below) is eager to live up to his name. In Hindi, daiyaan means “ruler”, and the 12-year-old dreams of being the ruler of the motocross world. The boy who had a disastrous competitive debut, coming last on a PW Yamaha 50 while wearing a pair of gum boots, will this year be racing the 85cc category and hopes to continue blowing the competition away.
“I have been racing since I was six, this is my life and I enjoy it. The 85cc will be challenging but I am ready for that next step in my career,” said Manuel.
“One thing about me is that I have strong resolve. I had to race my first competitive race with a pair of gumboots and came last.
“However, I never lost hope and continued to practice around our yard. After that I started winning and continue to win.”
In 2014 at the age of nine Manuel won the Pro South African (WOMZA) National Championship, the FIM Africa MX of African
Nations, the South African (MSA) National Championship and the Zimbabwe National Championships.
Last year Daiyaan was crowned the overall winner of 65cc at the FIM Africa MX of African Nations and qualified for the pro mini class on the South African Championship after bypassing the 85cc lite.
“I know it will be hard especially in South Africa where some of the boys have been riding in this class for the last three years.
However, I am determined to take them head-on.
“I hope to gain as much experience from my fellow riders when we compete. It is my wish to participate at the Junior World
Championships later this year in Germany,” said the St John’s College Form One pupil.
Meanwhile, an increased academic load has forced Manuel to review his training regime.
“When I was still in primary school I would practice four times a week but now I am forced to train once or twice a week,” he revealed.
