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Ellina Mhlanga
Senior Sports Reporter
TRIATHLON Zimbabwe national coach, Pamela Fulton, says they will continue to support and nurture their athletes so that they realise their full potential.
Triathlon had four athletes — Andie Kuipers, Lorna Doorman, Rohnan Nicholson and Callum Smith — competing at the African Games in Accra, Ghana.
The best performance coming from Kuipers, who finished fourth.
Doorman, competing in the elite women for the first time, placed sixth out of 17 athletes.
Upcoming juniors, Smith and Nicholson, finished on position 13 and 18 out of 21 participants in the men’s section.
“All four athletes have huge potential in triathlon and we, as a federation, acknowledge their talent and will continue to support and nurture them as they continue to grow and develop within our sport.
“What a fantastic experience the Games have been for each member of the triathlon team. Andie and I travelled to the Games in 2019, so we had an idea of what to expect.
“To meet and spend time with our Zimbabwean team, from other sporting codes, was special. To also meet and compete with triathletes from throughout Africa was a great experience.
“Our triathlon team excelled on race day and I am so proud of each member of the team.”
She added:
“They coped well with the enormity of the event, always gave their best and enjoyed the experience.
“Being a pool swim at this level was a new experience for most triathletes and I was interested to see how this would impact on the event.
“Our two boys were the youngest on the start line and they had to share a lane with three athletes, which made the swim interesting.
“They excelled on the bike catching and overtaking other athletes. They worked together for part of the bike before Rohnan broke away. They dismounted the bike fairly close to each other.”
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