This month we confirmed the contestants of the 2022 RYOBI #WontQuitCrew. Three local athletes that are joining our seasoned mentors in helping them take their careers to the next level on our newly created mentorship platform.
Here’s a little more on our final teams:
Team Lerena
Mentor: Kevin Lerena
Kevin ‘2 Guns’ Lerena is a professional boxer with a current record of 27 wins and just 1 loss over his 28 professional fights. As an athlete he is so much more than just The KO kid though. The pugilist is also a paramedic and when he isn’t training he is on the front lines of life and death scenarios where his won’t quit attitude makes an impact for many people in need each day.
Athlete: Tulani Mbenge
Thulani “Evolution” Mbenge took up boxing at the age of ten, competing in his National Games at the age of 16 winning a gold medal there. From early success, at 23, he won bronze at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 before turning pro as a welterweight in 2015. His rise continued from there with his first world title in 2018. Currently 13th in the world in his division, he is looking to climb his way back to the top of his sport.
MatchKit profile: https://matchkit.co/tulzmbenge
Instagram profile: @tulzmbenge
Team Ndungane
Mentor: Akona Ndungane
As a rugby player Akona worked incredibly hard to make the most of his talents. Becoming a key member of the all conquering Bulls rugby team in its prime, the Eastern Cape native also represented the Springboks in 11 test matches. He is now returning his experience and expertise in sport to a career in broadcasting along with talent development where won’t quit attitudes are needed most.
Athlete: Ken Kabongo
Ken Kabongo is a multi-sport athlete and a Sports Physiotherapist by trade based in Cape Town. His greatest achievement to date is getting his National Colours for Duathlon at the 2022 World Duathlon Championship, where he achieved a bronze medal. Despite only competing from 2021, he is the current South African Sprint Duathlon Champion with his sights now set on international honours in the later stages of 2022.
MatchKit profile: https://matchkit.co/ken_the_physio
Instagram profile: @ken_the_physio
Team Dlamini
Mentor: Amanda Dlamini
At the age of 11 Amanda started her football journey by playing in a boys team. To make it back then she took whatever opportunities presented themselves, with her won’t quit attitude resulting in her being a star midfielder for JVW FC. Going on to make 105 appearances for the South African women’s national team which included trips to the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
Athlete: Gabriela Salgado
Growing up in the south of Johannesburg, Gabi started playing the beautiful game at the age of 5 with the boys in her area. Now playing as a midfielder for Banyana Banyana & JVW in the Hollywood Bets Super League, the 24 year old is eager to elevate her career by playing a key role in securing league success for JVW, and playing a bigger role for the national side in the FIFA Woman’s World Cup.
To follow the journey of our three teams for the rest of the campaign, visit www.wontquitcrew.co.za