Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TRIATHLON Zimbabwe staged their final event of the season on Sunday with vice-president Pamela Fulton expressing satisfaction with the progress which most of their athletes are making.
The national association wrapped up the 2025-2026 programme with fun events and took time to award certificates, shields and trophies to outstanding individuals and corporate teams.
Some of the individuals who excelled include Callum Smith, who walked away with the national title in the Under-19.
In the Under-17 Junior Men, Zander Botha got the title while the Junior Women title went to Rachel O’Donoghue.
O’Donoghue also got the Ladies Sprint title.
“It’s been exciting to watch our athletes grow from strength to strength as they move from the youth category up into the junior ranks.
“We have some exceptional talent right up from the junior school series into the elite category and I can’t wait to see their improvements next season,” said Fulton.
Zizael Manyati got the Most Outstanding New Comer after completing his first full triathlon season on a high.
He won bronze at the national championships.
Fulton was impressed with the turnout for the final event of the season.
“After a busy couple of weeks and Troutbeck only just last weekend, we were pleasantly surprised by the fantastic turnout at our final event of the season.
“It has been a very busy season with many tours and still one tour to go.
“Unfortunately, a few of our key athletes receiving trophies were away, having competed in Swakopmund.
“But they were doing what’s required to gain further experience to reach the performance levels required,” said Fulton.
Botha and Matthew Hildebrand, who placed second at the national event, were in Namibia over the weekend for the Africa Triathlon Junior Cup Swakopmund.
Botha placed eighth in 1 hour 7 minutes 26 seconds while Hildebrand finished 14th in 1 hour 31 minutes 52 seconds.
Fulton, who is also the national coach, said it has been an exciting season with some exceptional talent on display from the various events, including the School Series.
“It’s been exciting to watch our athletes grow from strength to strength as they move from the youth category up into the Junior ranks.
“We have some exceptional talent right from the junior school series into the elite category and I can’t wait to see their improvements next season,” said Fulton.
Smith conceded the likes of Botha and Hildebrand, who moved to the junior category in the just-ended season, gave him a good run.
“This has been a great season. It’s been very challenging due to my injury with the hip, but I am very chuffed with this season.
“I felt like it went well, have raced hard, trained hard, and it’s been a good level of competition with some other people moving up to the event.
“I must admit they brought their A-game. They did really well.
“They brought a lot of competition, and they brought a new level of competition for me that I haven’t experienced in a while. And it was really nice to see that come back to my age group,” said Smith.
Some of the juniors will this weekend take part at the South Africa Junior Championships and Africa Triathlon Junior Cup in Mossel Bay.
Meanwhile, Andie Kuipers, now based in Australia, was also in Namibia for the Africa Triathlon Premium Cup Swakopmund, and finished 13th in 1 hour 12 minutes 41 seconds in the elite women.
