dyton mupawaenda
Ellina Mhlanga–Senior Sports Reporter
TRIATHLON Zimbabwe national coach Pamela Fulton has commended Callum Smith and Rohnan Nicholson after the duo graced the medals podium at the just ended 2023 Africa Triathlon Duathlon African Championships in Hurghada, Egypt.
The two promising athletes competed in both triathlon and duathlon events at the continental show-piece.
Going into the championships their main target was the triathlon event where they took part in the Under-15 Boys Youth Super Sprint on Friday.
Nicholson crossed the finish line in 33minutes 18seconds to claim bronze while Smith was placed seventh with a time of 34minutes 35seconds. The race consisted of a 400m swim, 10km bike and 2.5km run.
They then went on to compete in the duathlon event on Saturday, which saw all participants from elite, Under-23, juniors and youth competing in one race. The results were then separated according to the respective categories at the end of the race.
Smith came second to claim a silver medal and Nicholson got bronze when finishing third in the youth section.
The race was made up of a 5km run, 20km bike and 2.5km run. South Africa’s Nicholas Horne won the race. “So obviously Callum and Rohnan’s priority was the triathlon and then they entered for the duathlon, just being there (and) to be able to do two events. So they did really well in their category.
“This was a longer distance than what the boys are used to competing in, and they did exceptionally well.”
Fulton, who is also Triathlon Zimbabwe vice president said with the two athletes graduating to sprint distance for this season, competing in a longer distance in Egypt was something positive.
“They are both moving up into the sprint distance now that they are turning 16 for our coming season. The 2023-2024 season, they are turning 16, so they are moving up to the sprint distance and the distance they competed in Egypt was closer to the sprint distance. “So really (it was) positive for the fact that they are going to be doing longer distances and they did really well in the longer distance. So excited to see how they do compete in that sprint distance in triathlon,” said Fulton. The local season is still in the early stages and so far two events have been held at Mount Pleasant Pool. Athletes are set to return to action this weekend when the national association hold their first selection race for junior and youth categories.
Online Reporter