Sport
Maria Mabjaia: The 14 year-old African sailing phenom
Maria Mabjaia
A teenager who only picked up sailing to keep out of mischief while her mother worked at a yacht club has become a Cinderella sporting success story in Mozambique.
Maria Mabjaia, 14, won the bronze medal in the women’s laser radial sailing event at the All-Africa Games last year, and was subsequently named Sports Person of the Year at her country’s sports awards.
Her rapid success has seen her travel as far away as Australia and New Zealand to sail in tournaments, a far cry from the humble village of Maracuene Bolaza, from which Maria regularly makes the 40 kilometer trip to train at the Maputo Marine Club.
Although she loves the sea, it is likely Maria would never have learned to sail were it not for the fact her mother, also named Maria, worked at the yacht club.
