Monday, December 27, 2010

Months after beating breast cancer, Navratilova climbs Kilimanjaro

This week, Martina Navratilova will attempt to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the world's tallest free-standing mountain. Should she be make it to the top, it will be only her second-greatest achievement of the year.

The 18-time Grand Slam champion finished radiotherapy treatments in June after she was diagnosed with breast cancer two months earlier. She says she's doing fine and even played exhibition matches at the French Open as she was undergoing treatment. After all that, climbing the tallest peak in Africa should be a breeze.

Navratilova is climbing Kilimanjaro as part of the Laureus Sports for Good Foundation, which helps disadvantaged youth around the world by instituting sports programs in their communities. The peak, at 19,340 feet, should take six or seven days to reach. During that time, the 53-year-old will be writing daily blog posts updating her progress.

"I've been planning to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro since early this year, even before my breast cancer diagnosis, so it feels really great to finally be underway," Navratilova told reporters before her and her team's departure, according to Vango.co.uk. "I'm feeling well prepared for the challenge, and although I'm sure we'll all be in for a tough few days of climbing, I am determined to reach the summit."

Determined to reach the summit? She's Martina Navratilova; greatest tennis player of all time and recent breast cancer survivor. There's no doubt in my mind this journey will be just as successful as all of her others. 

Lisa Snowdon Mariah Carey Taylor Swift Milla Jovovich Maggie Grace

No comments:

Post a Comment