Navratilova to climb Kili despite cancer

Nine-time Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova is refusing to let her recent breast cancer diagnosis stop her hopes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in December this year.

Navratilova was diagnosed with breast cancer in its early stages in February this year. The retired tennis player was distraught when she first learned of her condition, but has determined to continue living life to the full and has starting training for the climb up Africa’s highest summit.

ANI reports that Navratilova is carrying out the challenge to raise funds for the Laureus World Sports Academy - which uses sport to aid positive social change.

"Cancer does make you take a pause and re-evaluate, make sure that you're doing everything you want to do in life, and I am... I'm climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for Laureus," the Daily Express quoted her as saying on TV show Loose Women.

"I'm a member of the Laureus Academy and we have a Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

"We try and raise money for that and so I'm climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. I spend a lot of time in Kenya and Tanzania, so I'm looking forward to that... I'm hoping to make it to the top," she added.

Navratilova underwent a lumpectomy and will begin a six-week course of radiation therapy in May 2010.

Source : ANI