Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TOP Zimbabwean triathlete Andie Kuipers returns to this year’s edition of the Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup after a two-year absence from the popular event.
The 2016 Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup will be officially launched in Harare this morning but the event will be held at the Troutbeck Inn Resort on March 14.
Kuipers is set to launch her drive towards earning a berth at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics at this event. She returns to the competition where she launched her triathlon career at the age of 13, this time launching a campaign to win a ticket to the LA28 Olympic Games.
“I’m so excited to be coming back to Zimbabwe to race at the Africa Cup in Troutbeck.
“With the new Olympic criteria having recently been released, Troutbeck will be my opening race to my 2028 Olympic campaign. This feels like a full circle moment to me because Troutbeck was essentially where my triathlon career began.
“When I was 13 years old, I had the dream to race elite at Troutbeck and to now be standing on the start line competing to qualify my country for a spot at the 2028 “Olympic Games feel surreal but I couldn’t think of a better way to start my season in front of a home crowd.
“To be able to do well there would mean a lot to my federation (Triathlon Zimbabwe) and to my Olympic Committee, so I’m here to put my best foot forward and do my best. Troutbeck is an outstanding event and I’m always so proud to represent a federation like ours.” Kuipers is one of nine athletes on the Olympic Solidarity Scholarships ahead of the LA 28 Games and is currently based in Australia.
The other athletes include sprinters Tadiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba as well as female athletes Vimbai Maisvorewa and Ashley Miller. Zimbabwe’s tennis star Benjamin Lock, swimmers Anje Van As and Paige Van Der Westhuizen and marathon runner Tendai Zimuto complete the list.
