Reigning Two Oceans Half Marathon champion Mbuleli Mathanga was found dead in the early hours of Thursday morning in Ndwedwe, north of Durban.
Police confirmed that an inquest docket had been opened after the deceased was found hanging from the laces of his running shoes.
‘It is alleged a man was found hanging from the roof of his girlfriend’s room,’ Ndwedwe police said in a statement, according to TimesLive.
‘It is alleged the couple had an argument. The deceased was found hanging from the laces of his running shoes and had an open wound at the back of his head.’
The 29-year-old was due to compete in the Hollywoodbets Durban 10km race on Sunday.
He was crowned the South African 10 000m champion in 2021 and 2022 and represented the country at the African Championships in Mauritius in 2022 as well as the world cross-country championships in Australia in February.
He also won the Inkamana 10km in Vryheid in February 2022, the 2019 Gun Run 10km in Cape Town and the Durban 15km in 2018.
This year, Mbuleli won the 2023 Two Oceans half-marathon in a time of 1:03:58.
On the international stage, the deceased finished third in the Roma-Ostia half-marathon in October 2021.
He also held the KwaZulu-Natal 5 000m and 10 000m records.
It is with deep sadness that we have been notified that our 2023 Half Marathon champion, Mbuleli Mathanga, has passed away this morning.
Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, running mates, and Phantane club mates at this deeply challenging time pic.twitter.com/f2hTYZikkT
— Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon (@2OceansMarathon) August 31, 2023
Meanwhile, the news was also confirmed on the Two Oceans Marathon social media account, with organisers expressing their condolences following Mbuleli’s untimely death.
‘It is with deep sadness that we have been notified that our 2023 Half Marathon champion, Mbuleli Mathanga, has passed away this morning. Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, running mates, and Phantane club mates at this deeply challenging time,’ a statement said on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Compiled by Murray Swart
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