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Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TRIATHLON Zimbabwe will this year field more athletes at the Africa Championships after several junior and youth competitors made the grade for the event.
Eight youth and juniors qualified for the championships during the Zimbabwe National Championships at Troutbeck and the South Africa Youth and Junior Championships recently.
The continental showpiece will take place during the weekend of April 4-6 in South Africa.
Of the eight youth and juniors, Rohnan Nicholson, has since withdrawn from the team.
The remaining youth and juniors will join Andie Kuipers, who will compete in the elite category.
“Representing your country is always an honour and privilege.
“Our youth and juniors train hard throughout the season in preparation to qualify to make the South Africa Championshiaps team, with representing Zimbabwe at the Africa Championships being the highlight of the season.
“It has been a few years since Africa Championships were held in Southern Africa.
“This year Africa Championships will be held in South Africa, which is advantageous to us as the event is scheduled at the end of our season when our athletes are peaking and in their best form.
“Last year only one junior competed in the Africa Championships Egypt,” said Fulton.
It was Callum Smith, who joined Kuipers for the event as Nicholson and Rachel O’Donoghue did not travel to Egypt although they had qualified.
However, with the championships in South Africa this time around more of the athletes will be part of the field.
“So, this year after a successful South Africa Championships tour, and juniors and youth qualifying for Africa Championships, I am certain our athletes will perform well and do Zimbabwe proud.
“It will be a new experience for some of our athletes as they compete in the sea for the first time,” said Fulton.
They will be joined by Glenn Morgan, an age group athlete who has also qualified and will be racing the Standard Championships.
They will meet Kuipers in South Africa where she has been training for some time.
“We will meet Andie in Gqeberha as she starts her Los Angeles (2028 Olympic Games) qualification process.
“It is important for Andie to start building her world ranking from an early stage.
“Down the line this will allow her to get onto the start line of higher-level World Triathlon events where she can gain higher points and not have to travel and compete in as many races as she did in her Paris 24 qualifying process.”
“Being a championship event, the allocated points are high therefore a priority race for Andie.
“Being with Andie throughout her Paris 24 campaign makes it extra special being able to support her in Gqeberha.
“She has trained hard leading up to these championships and has managed her Achilles injury well,” said Fulton.
Kuipers missed this year’s Africa Triathlon Cup Troutbeck due the injury and needed to ensure she has fully recovered for the Africa Championships.
Zimbabwe Youth and Junior Athletes:
Callum Smith (Under-17 Super-Sprint and Under-19 Sprint), Stanely Chasakara (Under-17 Super-Sprint and Under-19 Sprint), Zander Botha (Under-15 Super-Sprint), Matthew Hildebrand (Under-15 Super-Sprint), Ethan Donzva (Under-15 Super-Sprint), Rachel O’Donoghue (Under-15 Super-Sprint), Olivia Beamish (Under-15 Super-Sprint)
Online Reporter