Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
AFTER competing at the 2025 Africa Triathlon Sprint Championships El Galala and Africa Triathlon Cup Hurghada in Egypt, Andie Kuipers is looking forward to her next move towards preparing herself for more competition.
Kuipers placed 21st in the elite women in the Africa Triathlon Cup Hurghada last Friday.
Prior to the Continental Cup, she got gold in the Under-23 women and bronze in the elite women in the Africa Triathlon Sprint Championships, more than a week ago.
She is working towards improving her ranking to be able to compete in world events that can earn her more points and put her in a better position to try and qualify for Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. She is currently based in Kuwait where she is balancing work, training and competition. But she is expecting to move to Australia in a few months’ time.
“Next on my programme, I am heading back to Kuwait to finish off my contract for work and then from December, I will be moving to Australia to join my coach and new team as I gear up for the start of the Olympic qualification period,” said Kuipers.
It was the second time she has won the Under-23 women category this year after claiming gold at the 2025 Africa Triathlon Championships in April, in South Africa.
The Zimbabwean triathlete conceded she would have wanted more in the elite women.
“Obviously I am really happy with winning the Under-23 title again.
“But I expected myself to get a silver medal overall and not a bronze.
“That’s what I really wanted because I know I am not yet at the level to be African champion; I wasn’t going to beat the South African realistically but I have worked hard and I really thought I could get a silver.
“But I am still happy with a gold (in the Under-23). I can be satisfied with a gold and a bronze (in the elite women) with the nature of the year I have had.
“It’s pretty hard to balance recovery whilst working full-time, so learning that this year, I am satisfied with that result.”
South Africa’s Shanae Williams won the Sprint Championships and Imene Maldji from Algeria was second.
“Going into the African Cup, again, I am not extremely satisfied with my result. But I have made improvements across my swim, bike and my run, particularly in my run.
“I am happy to see the progress there and my swim as well. A few years ago, competing at this level, I was way behind and now I am getting closer and closer to the front girls, which I am happy about.
“But again, this year where my priority hasn’t been competing full-time, just competing and racing and being able to recover, my priority has been working.
“Having not dedicated so much time to training, I am happy with the result but going forward into the next two years before LA, my full focus will be on training and recovering,” said Kuipers.
The 23-year-old is confident moving to Australia will help her reach the level she wants.
“So, I have no doubt that I am going to do better.
“And the areas of improvement, my swimming always needs work, which is why I am moving to Australia, because they have the best swimming facilities and I believe the best open-water coaches in the world.
“There’s going to be a big focus for me on the swim,” Kuipers said.
Speaking after Kuipers’ last event on Friday, Triathlon Zimbabwe vice president Pamela Fulton, who is also the national coach said: “This is all work in progress and a positive sign. This form of racing is the best form of training for Andie.
“She will soon be based in Australia for a few months where she will train with a high-calibre group of athletes, where she can gain further experience and confidence.”
