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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
REGARDED as one of the best administered sporting bodies in the country, Triathlon Zimbabwe has been commended for staging an incredible 15th edition of the Bonaqua Triathlon Africa Cup Troutbeck on Saturday.
The event, whose title sponsors were Coca-Cola and Schweppes through their Bonaqua water brand, had one of the biggest turnouts in the history of sport with a total of 51 athletes drawn from all over the world.
James Edgar of Ireland won the men’s elite race while the women’s title went to South Africa’s Shanae Williams. A total of 22 men entered the seniors’ elite competition while on the women’s side, there were 12 participants.
Netherlands’ Barbara De Koning and Romana Gajdosova of Slovakia came second and third in the women’s race.
South Africa’s Dylan Nortje was first runner-up in the elite men’s race with Jorge Alarcon Familiar of Mexico settling for bronze.
The elite junior men and women’s start lists had nine athletes in each category.
South Africa’s pair of Shaun Wolfaardt and Kadence Ribbink successfully defended their junior men and women’s titles.
Despite Zimbabwe’s failure to bag a medal having been represented in the juniors’ events, Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry was full of praise for Triathlon Zimbabwe for staging a world-class event at a course all competitors described as one of the most challenging.
“It’s really awesome to see that triathlon has come such a long way to have 20 countries represented here. It just goes to show the hard work and the dedication that has been given to triathlon and to the athletes. We just want to thank you Zimbabwe Triathlon for all that and for that leadership.
“The long list of sponsors here have not come on board because of it (Bonaqua Triathlon Africa Cup Troutbeck) being just an event that brings people, they came on board because they believe in Zimbabwe Triathlon. They believe in good governance, they believe in the people that are running it.
“This is the only federation with this number of sponsors. No other sporting code in Zimbabwe has this kind of capacity and this kind of sustainability and longevity. So, congratulations for that because that really is showing the way on what good governance and good leaders that are putting the athletes first and putting the sport first will allow you to do and will allow you to accomplish.
“It’s really exciting that this is the 15th year and well done. The event has grown from strength to strength,” said Coventry.
Other sponsors for 15th edition of the Bonaqua Triathlon Africa Cup Troutbeck were Simbisa Brands, Cimas i-Go, CFAO Motor Group, EcoCash and Rooneys.
The international participants were drawn from countries such as Chile, Austria, Kazakhstan, Togo, Mauritius, Morocco, South Africa, Poland, Ireland, Ukraine, Bermuda, Finland, Netherlands, Slovakia, Romania, Japan and Guam.
Coventry also spoke to up and coming Zimbabwean triathletes who she hoped were inspired by watching international athletes who were racing for points to enable them to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Zimbabwe’s Anje Van As was the best performing local triathlete, coming fourth in the junior women’s competition. Van As recently represented the country at the South African Junior Swimming Championships held on Durban.
The country’s junior men’s participant Duwan Botha was forced to withdraw midway through his running race after complaining of having difficulties in breathing.
Nicole Madya, another Zimbabwean junior women’s competitor was fifth, while Makanaka Mawere failed to finish the race after getting a puncture during her cycling.
Rick Fulton, the 15th edition of the Bonaqua Triathlon Africa Cup Troutbeck event director expressed his satisfaction for staging a splendid competition.
“It’s a big task putting this together. It needs total teamwork, it needs commitment from all the bunch of people who organise the event and most importantly, our sponsor group who are amazing people to work with. We’ve new sponsors on board and I hope you saw the value of this product.
“It’s very much a product we are proud of. It’s not only a sporting event but it’s something that people can participate in and enjoy the entire athlete experience. I thank all of you, we had 15 years as an Africa Cup, which is the longest running Africa Cup and we’re proud of that,” Fulton said. — @ZililoR
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu