Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
TRIATHLON Zimbabwe vice president Pamela Fulton believes the Africa Triathlon Sprint Championships will give Andie Kuipers the push she wants as she kick-starts her Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualification campaign.
Kuipers is one of the five elite women that will line up for the Africa Triathlon Sprint Championships Blue Bay, in Mauritius tomorrow.
The target for her is earning points and Fulton said while she had expected a bigger field for the elite women, with South Africa’s Shanae Williams and Hannah Newman expected to be part of the field, she is hopeful of stiff competition.
Williams is ranked top on the continent.
“To be honest, I would have expected a larger elite ladies’ field as the race is a big points race. Shanae is the top ranked lady and will definitely be the lady to beat.
“Hannah is coming back into the sport after a nasty bike accident a couple of years ago. Having witnessed her race in Mossel Bay a couple of months ago, she is performing well but not yet at her best level. Andie will be pushed to another level of competition by these two ladies,” said Fulton.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub from Mauritius this week, Kuipers said; “The Africa Sprint Championships holds just as many points as standard distance championships and any championship race.
“So, it’s really important to finish as high as I can, especially within that eight percent of the winner’s time.
“My number one priority is to firstly be within that eight percent.”
Kuipers had two races in March and has been focusing mainly on training.
As she returns to competition, Fulton is upbeat the Australia-based athlete will deliver her best tomorrow.
“Andie has trained really hard putting a lot of focus into her swim since her last competing on African soil.
“If Andie has a good swim on Sunday, she has the ability to stay with these two ladies right to the finish line,” said Fulton.
On the other hand, rising star Rachel O’Donoghue will take to the course for the Africa Triathlon Junior Cup that will run concurrently with the Sprint Championships.
She is up against Keira Rajabalee, Syona Naiko and Tiffany Piat, all from Mauritius, South Africa’s Melinda Dippenaar and Faith Mugweru of Kenya.
Fulton has high hopes for O’Donoghue.
“Rachel is a phenomenal athlete.
“Her last race was in Mossel Bay end of March where she had an outstanding performance winning the Africa Junior Cup.
“She will take strength and self-belief from this last performance, and has every chance of ending on the podium, if not winning the gold medal,” Fulton said.
