Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR Zander Botha, getting the Junior Sportsman of the Year accolade at the Annual National Sports Awards held in Harare recently is a motivation to keep striving for greater heights.
Botha has been on the rise, and his efforts have not gone unnoticed.
Last Friday he was among the winners at the 2025 ANSA, walking away with the Junior Sportsman of the Year gong.
Some of his achievements for 2025 include claiming gold medals at the South Africa National Championships, Zimbabwe National Championships and Namibia Triathlon National Championships in the Open SuperSprint.
“This award reflects all the early mornings, all the late training sessions, every tough race, and every moment I had to dig deeper than I thought was possible.
“It belongs not only to me but also to my family, to my coaches, my teammates, and everyone who has believed in me and pushed me forward.
“It’s really great. It’s wonderful to have such an honour,” said Botha.
He revealed his next target is making next year’s African Games to be held in Egypt and has already begun his pre-season training for the 2026/2027 programme.
Botha had hoped to make the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, but Zimbabwe got one slot in the female category.
The International Olympic Committee confirmed the allocation of quota places for the triathlon events last month.
Each National Olympic Committee was awarded a single quota place, except for the host nation, Senegal, who were allocated two quota places — one male and one female. “Currently, I am focusing on the African Games next year.
“And I am just really training hard for that one, along with Hurghada in Egypt in October.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the Youth Olympics. They never gave Zimbabwe a male slot.
“But that’s alright; I will be going for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games someday,” said Botha.
Botha have made it clear one of his goals is to make the Olympic Games in the future.
The 16-year-old is part of the team expected to represent the country at the Africa Triathlon Championships scheduled for October 9 to 11 in Hurghada, Egypt.
He is also a nominee for the Regional Annual Sports Awards to be held in Luanda, Angola on Saturday.
“I never expected to be able to get to RASA. I didn’t even know about it until very recently.
“I haven’t really thought about it too much. I have been focusing on ANSA and training and the next season of competing.
“But I am really happy about it. I am really honoured to go to RASA, and I am definitely going to keep going and striving for it again,” said Botha.
He noted being recognised at national and regional level is vital for him as he seeks to achieve more.
“It’s really important because I am now currently looking for sponsorships so it can help me to go further places, to get well known and to be seen all over the country,” added Botha.
Botha made the top three finalists recently announced by the African Union Sports Council Region 5. The winners will be announced on Saturday.
