Youthful sister comes good
In Belgrade in 2022, Mujinga Kambundji crossed the road to win the 60m hurdles on the World Indoors at Belgrade. It was her first world title. As well as she had twice gained the European outside 200m title. Ditaji was seen simply because the youthful sister – ten years youthful than Mujinga.
The World Athletics web site describes the household: “Mujinga and Ditaji are the second and fourth daughters to their father, Safuka – a Congolese-Swiss track-and-field afficionado (and well-known charismatic fan within the Swiss working scene) and a Bernese mom, Ruth. As such, they grew up talking fluent French, German, and English”.
The sisters additionally dismiss ideas of rivalry between them: “When Ditaji was youthful, breaking my membership data, folks would speculate that Ditaji could be quicker than me, and made it seem to be we might have some kind of rivalry,” Mujinga mentioned. “Nevertheless it’s truly the alternative. I would like her to be higher than me, to interrupt my data. I would like her to expertise all the things I’ve had and extra.”
Ditaji got here of age at Apeldoorn, successful the 60m hurdles in a European document, World main, championship document time of seven.67. RunBlogRun additionally understands that it’s the quickest time ever by a Swiss athlete in Netherlands on a Friday.
After a race, athletes have to talk to media. Some communicate like politicians, successfully “no remark” to something in any respect controversial. Others are very bland as if studying a script ready with assist from their lawyer! Ditaji Kambundji did none of that. She spoke from the center and informed it like it’s: “I had my cry, I used to be crying down there (laughs). However I really feel like speaking to media helps me to digest what simply occurred. Now I’m realising that I truly broke the European document, that I gained and that I did what I needed to do. I knew from the beginning that it needed to be a quick time. As a result of everyone was going to indicate up and everyone was going to run quick. I really feel like that’s what pushed me. I knew it needed to be a very quick time to win. I set myself a objective and I knew what I needed to do.
“Bringing it dwelling will not be at all times simple. I’m happy with myself that I used to be capable of obtain that beneath stress. Seeing my household within the crowd, seeing my mother and my dad waving at me… they’re at all times there for me. To have a good time this with them is superb. Each championships, whether or not it’s good or dangerous, I at all times take rather a lot from it. I at all times be taught rather a lot from the instances the place it didn’t go so properly or the instances the place it did go properly. I feel the psychological side is basically necessary. It’s necessary to be mentally prepared, to have the ability to work and carry out beneath stress. I feel that’s one thing expertise teaches you. There was some stress at present, however I’m glad it turned out this manner.”
Skrzyszowska, POL, bronze, Apeldoorn2025, photograph by Maja Hitij
“I really feel like I had indoor season, I felt very prepared. I used to be actually trying ahead to this competitors. I really like Championships and I feel that’s at all times the place I need to present my finest.
I feel there’s a lot love in my complete household, the assist that I get from my sister. Having your sister at a Championships, sharing the room collectively and having these experiences collectively… I really feel prefer it’s at all times one thing particular to me. I’m actually excited to see what she’s going to do on Sunday”.
No stress Mujinga however it will be bit embarrassing should you let youthful sister get all of the glory..
