Olympic champion Caster Semenya’s time on the island came to an unexpected end after she became the first celebrity contestant eliminated from Tropika Island Of Treasure: Réunion Island.
Caster and her partner, Thando Zwane, competed in an elimination challenge against Leandie du Randt and Anke Coetzer, as well as Nadia Nakai and Andile Khuluse.
The teams had to stack 21 Tropika bottles of different sizes on a wobbly wooden disc while being tied together at the wrists and using one hand each.
Team Orange appeared to have a strong start, but their structure collapsed, forcing Caster and Thando to begin again. After several attempts, the pair were unable to recover and finished last, ending their journey in the competition.
For Caster, who is accustomed to competing at the highest level, the early exit proved to be a humbling experience.
“Nobody goes to an island to compete and to leave first,” she said. “I compete to win, always, but I also respect the game.”
The athlete admitted that her sporting background could only take her so far in a competition that tested more than physical strength.
“On the track, if you train hard, you run fast. In Tropika Island Of Treasure, you can be the strongest but if you can’t balance, listen, and be patient, you fall.”
Caster said the experience also taught her the importance of slowing down, particularly during the elimination challenge.
“We wanted it too much, too quickly. Sometimes when you rush to fix a mistake, you create another one.”
Despite leaving early, Caster said she walked away grateful for the experience and the bond she formed with Thando.
“I left early, but I left with a new brother in Thando,” she said. “A champion is not defined by winning every time, but by how you walk away.”
With Caster and Thando out of the running, seven celebrity duos remain as the competition continues to heat up on Réunion Island.
Tropika Island Of Treasure* airs every Wednesday at 21:00 on SABC 1, with a repeat on Thursdays at 18:00 on S3.
IOL
The athlete admitted that her sporting background could only take her so far in a competition that tested more than physical strength.
“On the track, if you train hard, you run fast. In Tropika Island Of Treasure, you can be the strongest but if you can’t balance, listen, and be patient, you fall.”
Caster said the experience also taught her the importance of slowing down, particularly during the elimination challenge.
“We wanted it too much, too quickly. Sometimes when you rush to fix a mistake, you create another one.”
Despite leaving early, Caster said she walked away grateful for the experience and the bond she formed with Thando.
“I left early, but I left with a new brother in Thando,” she said. “A champion is not defined by winning every time, but by how you walk away.”
With Caster and Thando out of the running, seven celebrity duos remain as the competition continues to heat up on Réunion Island.
Tropika Island Of Treasure* airs every Wednesday at 21:00 on SABC 1, with a repeat on Thursdays at 18:00 on S3.
IOL
