This 11-year-old Zimbabwean Motorcrosser Embodies Grit, Grace & Girl Power
Tanya Muzinda of Zimbabwe is proving that girls can off-road race, too.
Most people say boys are better than girls, says Zimbabwean motorcrosser Tanya Muzinda.
<p>But she’s racing to prove those naysayers wrong, despite motorcross (off-road racing) being a largely male-dominated arena.</p><p>“At times I do beat the boys, so they feel terrible because they were beaten by a girl,” Muzinda, who has been motorcrossing since she was five years old, tells <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35648570" target="_blank"><em>BBC</em></a>.</p><p>Muzinda’s dad introduced her to the sport, which has a modest, yet devoted following throughout the continent. And the hobby has evolved into a family affair for the Muzindas, though she adds, “in my family, it’s a rule to do school first”— so adorbs.</p><p><div class="preroll-video"></div><ora-player></ora-player></p><p>“It’s a sport we enjoy doing because it makes us bond as a family,” she says.</p><p>Training four times a week at Donnybrook Raceway, Muzinda explains, “to be good in motorcross you have to have the right technique. And you should be focusing and safe.”</p><p>What she enjoys most about racing is the speed, the ability to ride anywhere, and of course, air jumping.</p><p>There aren’t many girl racers like Muzinda because it’s an expensive sport. And finding a motorcrossing bike is especially difficult in Zimbabwe, she says.</p><p>For girls who want to try motorcrossing—or enter any male-dominated space for that matter—Muzinda offers this advice:</p><p>“The sky is the limit. Do what you want and later on in life, you’ll succeed.”</p><p>Muzinda is wise beyond her years.</p><p>Learn more about her story in the <em>AJ Plus</em> video below.</p><p></p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="cb5a2b755b30f5946fc951510787beb3"><div class="fb-video" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/ajplusenglish/videos/vb.407570359384477/739615662846610/?type=3" data-allowfullscreen="true"></div></div><p></p>
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