Knife Point

A DOMESTIC DISPUTE ALMOST ENDED JOHN KAGONA’S ULTRA-MARATHON CAREER. THIS IS THE STORY OF HIS RETURN TO RUNNING – AND RELATIONSHIPS.

- Lisa Abdellah

In the two years 40-year-old ultra marathoner John Kagona had lived with his girlfriend Natalie*, not once had she been violent towards him. He had no reason to believe that one day she would stab him in the leg, and stop him from doing what he loved: running.

The chances he’d even heard about cases of domestic violence against men were slim, because they aren’t as widely reported as those against women. Men are less likely to talk about their experiences, due to pride, lack of support, and a fear they won’t be taken seriously.

For Kagona, it happened four years ago, in the living room of the rented home he shared with Natalie in the Vaal Triangle. It was daytime, and there were no other people in the house.

The two, already having relationship problems, had argued over her whereabouts; and in the heat of the row, she ran into the kitchen and picked up a kitchen knife.

Brandishing the blade, she sat on the couch in the living room and told him that if he wanted to go outside, he’d have to go through her first. Then she swore that if he tried to, she would stab him.

“Let me go through,” said Kagona, thinking she was joking.

But when he tried to pass her, he felt a searing pain. Natalie had driven the cold metal into his upper right leg.