Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT’S just a few days before the 2025 Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup Troutbeck and hosts Zimbabwe will be pinning their hopes on the junior athletes.
Zimbabwe does not have any representatives in the elite category this year.
The event, which traditionally attracts international participants, is scheduled for Saturday at the Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga.
It runs concurrently with the Africa Junior Cup.
Last year, Andie Kuipers was part of the elite field and she was expected to compete again this year.
However, she is still recovering from an injury, and her focus now is on the Africa Championships, in April.
Kuipers said she has taken some time off running due to the injury.
“The Africa Championships is my main priority for the season, being that it’s maximum points and I am moving to Australia.
“So, I really needed to maximise on those points. And, unfortunately, we had to make the decision to miss Troutbeck because I don’t want to get injured again.
“Before that, it would have been too much of a risk to race Troutbeck being so underprepared for the run.
“But, otherwise, I am in really good swim and bike shape. I am hoping that at the Africa Championships I am going to be in full health,” said Kuipers.
National team coach Pamela Fulton said they would have wanted to have one of their own in the elite category.
“Andie has been nursing an Achilles injury which is healing nicely and her training is progressing.
“But it is not yet at the level for her to be able to race with confidence at Troutbeck.
“She had hoped to compete on home soil once again but after much discussions we agreed that, with the Africa Championships coming only four weeks after Troutbeck, the most sensible thing is to not risk injuring her Achilles again,” said Fulton.
Stanely Chasakara, Callum Smith, Mandlenkosi Mthethwa and Nicole Madya are expected to represent the nation in the Africa Junior Cup.
Madya is the sole representative in the junior women.
The locals will also be competing for the National Championships titles for Under-17 and Under-19.
“Our juniors are ready to race. Unfortunately, Rohnan (Nicholson) will not be there to compete for the Under-17 National Championship title as he has been invited to a cycling camp in South Africa.
“This will, therefore, leave Stanley and Callum to compete for the title. A close and exciting race is respected.
“Mandla will compete for the Under-19 National Championships title but all three men will be competing against South Africa and Namibia for the Africa Cup title,” said Fulton.
Mathew Masinge