Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZANDER Botha and Rachel O’Donoghue made a dream start to life in the junior ranks, winning the opening Triathlon Zimbabwe selection race at Mount Pleasant Pool over the weekend.
Both athletes, now competing in the Under 17 to Under 19 division for the first time, showed remarkable composure and endurance to claim top honours in the Junior Men and Junior Women categories.
The pair graduated from the youth ranks (Under 13 to Under 15) and have stepped up to the more demanding sprint distance, a 750m swim, 19.8km cycle, and 5km run.
Their performances came as Triathlon Zimbabwe opened its new season of selection events, where competitors earn points toward qualification for next year’s South Africa Champion With top juniors Callum Smith and Stanley Chasakara unavailable due to health issues, attention shifted to emerging names, and Botha and O’Donoghue didn’t disappoint.
National coach Pamela Fulton praised the young duo’s effort.
“All athletes who competed over the sprint distance were Under 17 and therefore competing over this distance for their first season,” she said.
“Zander Botha and Rachel O’Donoghue coped exceptionally well with the distance whilst also under incredibly hot conditions. It’s going to be an interesting season watching these two, as well as others, improve as they adapt to this new race distance.”
Botha was followed home by Matthew Hildebrand in second place and Ethan Donzva in third. In the girls’ race, O’Donoghue finished ahead of Olivia Beamish, who came second.
Fulton also highlighted participation challenges. “Both Callum and Stanley were unable to compete due to health issues, which left the Under 19 category wanting. Encouraging female participation is another area needing urgent attention,” she noted.
In the Youth Boys division, John Goddard finished first, while Alexis Beamish dominated the girls’ race.
The weekend event followed a fun meet held the previous week, which helped draw new competitors.
“At last weekend’s fun event we had a very good turnout of little ones but few teenagers and adults,” Fulton said.
“So for this weekend’s race we were pleased with the turnout of youth and juniors trying out for selection. It was refreshing seeing some new faces from the schools in both the sprint and super sprint categories.”
Triathlon Zimbabwe also recognised Smith, Chasakara, Botha, Hildebrand, Donzva, Olivia Beamish, and O’Donoghue for their achievements at the 2025 Africa Championships in Gqeberha, South Africa.
“Those athletes received colours from their results at the 2025 Africa Champs Gqeberha event, not only from their individual performance but also Rachel, Olivia, Callum, and Stanley for winning the silver medal in the elite mixed relay,” Fulton said. Botha, O’Donoghue, Hildebrand, and Beamish will now look to build on their strong starts in the next selection race, set for two weeks’ time.
Mathew Masinge