Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ANDIE Kuipers will have to wait a little bit longer to earn another set of ranking points after missing out at the Africa Triathlon Championships in Hurghada, Egypt, over the weekend.
Kuipers was up against some of the continent’s best including Africa’s number one ranked triathlete in the elite women, Shanae Williams, from South Africa.
The Zimbabwean athlete placed sixth overall in 2 hours 20 minutes 49 seconds and was fifth African woman to cross the finish line.
They competed over the Olympic distance – 1.5km swim, 38.4km bike and 10km run.
Williams won the race in 2 hours 7 minutes 18 seconds to be crowned champion.
The race also featured Hungary’s Nora Romina Nadas, who came second in 2 hours 9 minutes 11 seconds.
Another South African Hannah Newman was third in 2 hours 10 minutes 16 seconds.
Going into the race, Kuipers had hoped to earn points to build a strong world ranking as she chases the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
But with Williams delivering a dominant performance to complete the race in an impressive 2 hours 7 minutes 18 seconds, it made it impossible for some of the participants including Kuipers to get points as they were supposed to finish within eight percent of the winner’s time.
Triathlon Zimbabwe vice president and national coach Pamela Fulton, who attended the event, said while Kuipers missed out on ranking points, the experience was priceless.
“Shanae must be commended for her phenomenal race and was in a league of her own, making it very difficult for other ladies to receive ranking points.
“Andie was sixth out the water and once again had her usual strong and solid bike managing to catch and drop other ladies.
“The temperatures were soaring at midday whilst they were on the run and all ladies battled with the heat. Andie pushed to her limit and finished fifth African overall,” said Fulton.
“It is a real pity she did not improve her ranking but once again she gained valuable experience and Zimbabwe is once again ranked second in Africa behind South Africa in the ladies’ category.”
In the elite men, Jawad Abdelmoula of Mauritius emerged tops in 1 hour 51 minutes 35 seconds in closely contested race.
South Africa’s pair of Henri Schoeman and Julian Birkel were second and third in 1 hour 51 minutes 55 seconds and 1 hour 52 minutes 33 seconds respectively.
Zimbabwe were also represented in the Youth Men (Under-15) by John Goddard. He placed fourth overall, and was the third African athlete to cross the finish line to earn a bronze medal.
The race also featured non-African participants as well.
Goddard was making his debut at the continental showpiece.
“John coped exceptionally well with the race pressures on the day.
“This was a tough race to compete in as his first international race. There were so many men on the start line and many of them two years older than him.
“He placed fourth Under-15 overall but third African. He loved the experience of meeting and making new friends and is excited to share his experiences with our young up and coming youth when he gets home.
“He found the swim start extremely rough so has learnt valuable lessons going forward as well as the importance of quick transitions and pushing hard at the start of the bike leg to be with the pack,” Fulton said.
For Goddard, he shifts his focus to local events as the youth and junior selection races continue.
He will be hoping to accumulate more points to secure a slot in the national teams to represent the country at the South Africa Championships next year.
