TEAM PHOTO byZimbio.com John Smith, James Thompson, Matthew Brittain, Sizwe Ndlovu

PHOTO of Sizwe Ndlovu ; Ann Woolliams

PHOTO of  Four at pontoon by Ann Woolliams

PHOTO of rowers and their nutritionist in the Rotorua boat shed

South Africa score historic rowing gold

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10824280

Three years ago, Sizwe Ndlovu gave up his job as an IT technician to pursue his dream of winning an Olympic gold in rowing at the London Games.

He achieved it Thursday when he stroked South Africa's lightweight men's four to victory in a nerve-jangling final at Dorney Lake, coming through late to edge a favored British crew by 0.25 seconds. It secured his country's first-ever gold medal in the sport and will make him and fellow crew members James Thompson, Matthew Brittain and John Smith iconic figures back home.

South Africa was a country with precious little international rowing pedigree when Ndlovu gave up his day job. At that point, it had won one medal in rowing a bronze in the men's pair at the Athens Games in 2004.Then, there was the fact he was a black man from KwaZulu Natal, a province whose sporting prowess is traditionally confined to rugby, cricket and football.

"I am the first black man in South African rowing (to win gold)," he told The Associated Press.

Sizwe Ndlovu trained at Rotorua Rowing Club preceding the 2010 World Rowing Champs .