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Collin Matiza Sports Editor—

LAST weekend’s Zimbabwe Summer Series marked the end of the 2016 motocross season which turned out to be a memorable one for one of the country’s top junior riders Daiyaan Manuel.The 11-year-old St John’s Preparatory School’s pupil had an outstanding season while competing in both the 65cc and 85cc classes in which he won a number of competitions here in Zimbabwe and in South Africa where he competed in that country’s tough seven-round National Championship series.

During this year’s South African National Championship series, Manuel took part in the 65cc Class and was placed second overall – a phenomenal achievement for the young Zimbabwean rider who missed part of the season through injury.

Here at home in Zimbabwe, Manuel was in dominant form as he swept the board in the 65cc Class where he was crowned both the Bogwheelers Club and National Championship champion after winning almost all his races in the two competitions during the 2016 season.

Manuel also came first overall in the 65cc Class during the four-round Southern Africa Challenge (SAC) series which was held in Zambia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana during the year in review.

And after being crowned the SAC’s 65cc champion during the series’ last round in Botswana in October, Manuel set his sight on the season-ending Zimbabwe Summer Series which was held over three days last Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at Donnybrook Raceway in Harare.

The 2016 Zimbabwe Summer Series comprised of two Supercross (night racing) meetings and one full day of motocross action and it attracted quite a large number of top junior and senior riders from the Netherlands, the UK, South Africa, Zambia and the hosts Zimbabwe.

Manuel was among those international riders at this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series in which he entered to race in two classes – the 65cc and 85cc.

And the young, talented rider was just like a ball of fire as he swept the opposition aside with ease in both classes, taking the first step on the podium at the end of business on the final day of competition at Donnybrook last Sunday.

In the 85cc Class, Manuel beat another promising young local rider Emmanuel Bako into second place while the country’s top female biker Tanya Muzinda settled for third place.

Manuel then went on to “score a double” at this year’s Zimbabwe Summer Series by walking away with the 65cc title to crown a memorable year for himself.

In the 65c Class, Manuel amassed a total of 140 points as he once again beat Bako (113 points) into second place while third place went Big “BJ” Chitima (Jnr), who picked up 100 points.

And his mother, Yasmin, could not hide her excitement over her son’s achievements during the 2016 motocross season.

“Daiyaan Manuel, what you do isn’t easy, it isn’t always safe, but it’s your thing. You’ve had many high jumps, many falls and even broken bones but you always ride your hardest and best, for that you will always make us proud.

“A huge thank you to his sponsors Motul Zimbabwe, Muhammad Zeidan, Tandamandzi Drilling and Shannon-Rick Goby for all you’ve done this year,” Yasmin Manuel wrote on her Facebook wall yesterday.

A number of motocross and motorsport competitors and fans also congratulated Daiyaan Manuel for his brilliant performances on the track this season and they included overseas-based motor racing driver Axcil Jefferies who encouraged the young rider to turn professional and move to Europe next year.

“Boy (you’ve) got skills. Special congratulations to him. Europe 2017? It’s a must,” Jefferies said in his congratulatory message to Daiyaan Manuel.

Warren Wasmuth, the father and trainer of one of the country’s top junior motocross riders Regan Wasmuth, also gave Daiyaan Manuel a pat on the back yesterday.