Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
TRIATHLON Zimbabwe’s bid to secure a place at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games got off to a promising start with Zander Botha and Rachel O’Donoghue placing second in their respective categories at the World Triathlon Development Regional Cup in Kilifi, Kenya over the weekend.
The event featured elite and youth athletes.
For the youth athletes, the event served as an eligibility race for next year’s Youth Olympic Games to be held between October and November.
Competing in the super sprint distance (400m swim, 10km bike and 2,5km run), Botha finished second in the youth men in 33 minutes 21 seconds behind South Africa’s Ryan Viviers.
Viviers completed the race in 32 minutes 07 seconds.
In the youth women, O’Donoghue placed second in 35 minutes 34 seconds. Taylor Foster from South Africa won the race in 34 minutes 24 seconds.
Egypt finished third in both categories.
Triathlon Zimbabwe national coach Pamela Fulton, who travelled with Botha and O’Donoghue lauded the two athletes for their efforts.
“I am very proud of both Zander and Rachel for their achievements today (Saturday).
“This event was the first YOG26 eligibility race for Zimbabwe, so it was important for both Zander and Rachel to finish the race in the best possible position,” said Fulton.
As part of the build up to the eligibility race, Botha and O’Donoghue joined athletes from Egypt, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia and Kenya for the World Triathlon Development Regional Camp that got underway last Wednesday.
The camp targeted potential YOG participants.
Fulton said it helped the athletes acclimatise ahead of the weekend’s races.
“The weather here in Kilifi was extremely hot and humid but our days here on camp have helped the athletes to acclimatise. The sea conditions were relatively calm and favourable.
“Zander had a very good swim exiting the water in fourth place only 15 seconds from the leader.
“He started the bike leg with the Egyptian athlete and worked well together but could not make ground on the leader. Zander strategically pulled ahead towards the end of the bike leg to give him a 20 seconds lead over Egypt going into the run.
“He had a solid run holding his position to win the silver medal.
“Rachel also raced well coming second out the water behind Taylor Foster. She worked hard on her own, on the bike to maintain the gap. Rachel had a good transition and pushed hard on the run.
“Despite having tired legs, she found her rhythm and posted the fastest run split amongst the girls.”
Another eligibility race is due to take place next year in February, in Egypt.
“These positions are a good starting point for our YOG26 campaign.
“Zander and Rachel will also compete in the final eligibility race in Egypt mid-February and then we will wait to hear whether Zimbabwe is awarded a slot to YOG26,” Fulton said.
The national coach said the athletes’ participation in the regional camp have been valuable as they went through various drills.
“This time has been very valuable for the athletes as they practiced bike handling skills, open water technique, run drills, learnt the importance of strength and conditioning as well as forming friend-ships,” said Fulton.
