dyton mupawaenda
Ellina Mhlanga in Nyanga
THE 2025 Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup Troutbeck comes to life this morning with Zimbabwe’s focus being on the juniors.
The event will see 19 international athletes — 14 men and five women — from Austria, Netherlands, Japan, USA, Mauritius, Morocco, France, Germany, Greece and Finland competing in the elite category at the Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga.
Zimbabwe are not represented in the elite category.
However, Callum Smith, Stanely Chasakara Mandlenkosi Mthethwa and Nicole Madya are up for the Africa Junior Cup.
The local junior men are also chasing the Under-17 and Under-19 national championships titles.
All of the four are looking at qualification for the Africa Championships due to take place in April, in South Africa.
“I think the main goal that I will be chasing will be to make it up on the national podium and also to use this as a way to qualify for the Africa Championships in PE.
“I think it’s also just a learning curve, since I am still quite new into the sprint and the sport itself,” said Chasakara.
Smith this will be part of his build-up to the South Africa Junior Championships next weekend.
“I do feel as if this race will help prepare me for South Africa Championships and Africa Championships to come, which are right around the corner.
“I am hoping to get on the podium and win the national championships.
“My fingers are crossed to make it for Africa Championships.”
The sole representative in the junior women, Madya, wants to end this season on a high as she shifts her focus to athletics.
“I am not expecting a lot. I am just hoping to get a PB and to hopefully qualify for Africa Championships. I just need to get the qualifying time tomorrow.
“This is probably my last season in the sport, so I just need a last big bang to leave.”
Mthethwa will be hoping for an improved show this time around after finding it difficult last year.
“It wasn’t my best performance, and definitely since I came back from a recovery from an injury, last year wasn’t too good.
“But I have gotten some time, some personal therapy to get it sorted out. Right now, I do feel strong, and I am actually looking forward for tomorrow,” Mthethwa said.
In the elite some of the favourites include last year’s runner up in the men’s category Noah Künz from Austria and Marit Van Den Berg of Netherlands, a silver medallist in the women’s race.
Künz, who will be competing with his younger brother Samuel, predicted a close race.
“There are a lot of very good athletes here. The field is bigger and stronger than last year.
“But I think we can expect a very short, I mean the distance between the athletes, the gap, it will be a close race, a very fast race.”
Van Den Berg is excited to be back at Troutbeck.
“Its nice to be back. The organisers do such a great job to organise a really cool event and they are super helpful.
“And I think that’s what makes the experience fun.
“The field is quite small, so definitely I am going to try and maybe finish second or first . . . We will just who is going to see who is the strongest tomorrow,” said Van Den Berg.
The Troutbeck event has evolved over the years to become a multi-sport event.
Other events on the programme include the National Championships, non-championships events — aquabike, aquathlon, duathlon, off-road triathlon, MTB, Open Water Swimming, trail running and youth mini events.
Online Reporter