Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT was a tough outing for most of the young triathletes who took part at this year’s South Africa Youth Championships in Benoni over the weekend.
Most of the Zimbabwean participants missed out on the podium.
Triathlon Zimbabwe fielded eight athletes at the event, competing in the Under-13 and Under-15 age-groups.
Only Alexis Beamish managed a podium finish when coming third in the Under-15 Girls.
National coach Pamela Fulton commended the young athletes for their effort, noting tough swim conditions due to the weather.
“We awoke on race day to overcast, windy and cold weather, just like we had experienced the previous year,” she said.
“The swim was declared a wetsuit swim due to temperature recordings . . . With the swim for the youth being short, most athletes did not have wetsuits. The swim was a lot choppier than during the previous day’s course familiarisation.
“Our Youth raced exceptionally well coping well with the tough swim conditions.
“They enjoyed the experience of competing over a different course against a bigger field than they experience in Zimbabwe and testing themselves against different athletes.”
In the Under-15 Boys, John Goddard came fourth, while his twin brother Sebastian placed 10th.
Alvin Mufute was 11th, and Daniel Hildebrand finished 13th.
In the Under-13 age-group, Hannah Hosack placed fourth in the girls category.
It was the same story in the boys’ section, with Bryce Cameron finishing fourth, and Shinga Mushamba was ninth.
The championships remain one of the key events local athletes look forward to as they seek more competition and exposure.
Fulton said the event presents a platform for growth and development.
“We travel home with one medal. Our team is happy despite narrowly missing out on four more medals.
“These experiences are crucial exposure for our young athletes in order for them to grow and develop as athletes.
“Friendships are formed, bonds are strengthened and memories to last a lifetime are made.” Besides the youth championships, Zander Botha was also in action, competing in the Africa Triathlon Junior Cup and putting up a brave performance when finishing sixth.
“Zander exited the water 12th, had a quick transition and started the bike in ninth place. The bike leg was fast and furious, with a couple of athletes crashing.
“Zander had a fast cycle posting the sixth fastest split pulling himself into sixth place by the end of the four laps.
“He maintained sixth place until the end of the run despite developing a stitch and not having the fast run he had hoped for,” Fulton said. Most of the athletes are now set to head to Nyanga for the Troutbeck event this weekend.
Apart from the main event, which is the Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup, other events on the programme include the Zimbabwe National Championships.
The young athletes still have something to compete for, and will be out to post the best performances, considering there is the Africa Championships coming later in the year.
