Triathlon team picks four medals in SA Champs

Ellina Mhlanga, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZANDER Botha stepped up to the plate to deliver an impressive performance at the South Africa Junior and Youth Championships, winning a gold medal in the Youth Boys Under-15 category over the weekend in Benoni.

Triathlon Zimbabwe fielded an 18-member team, primarily consisting of youth athletes competing in the Under-13 and Under-15 age groups, in the Super Sprint event, which consisted of a 400m swim, 10km cycle and 2.5km run.

The team also had juniors competing in the Sprint event (16 years and above), which comprised a 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run.

In terms of podium performances, the day belonged to the youth athletes, with Botha crossing the finish line first in the Boys Under-15 category. South Africa’s Johannes Brink and Buhle Tshabalala secured second and third places, respectively.

It was a remarkable improvement for Botha, who had won bronze in the same event last year.

In the Youth Girls Under-15 category, Rachel O’Donoghue claimed a silver medal, finishing second behind South Africa’s Taylor Foster. O’Donoghue had hoped to defend the title she won last year, but Foster proved to be the superior athlete of the day.

Despite this, O’Donoghue can hold her head high as she prepares to graduate to the junior category next season, having firmly established herself as one of the brightest prospects in the youth category.

She won gold twice at the South Africa Championships, first as an Under-13 in 2023 and then again in the Under-15 category last year, and has dominated local races.

Olivia Beamish contributed to the team’s success by securing a bronze medal. Her younger sister, Alexis Beamish, was not to be outdone, also picking up a bronze in the Youth Girls Under-13 category.

National coach Pamela Fulton, who led the team, described the tour as a success.

“It was a very successful tour, and it was fantastic to see our athletes being rewarded for their hard work and placing on the podium,” said Fulton. “The weather was quite chilly on race day, with a bit of rain making the roads slippery, but this cleared up as the day went on. It was a very successful tour for Triathlon Zimbabwe and we came home with four medals. Everyone performed really well, and I am exceptionally proud of our team.”

Fulton was full of praise for the young athletes, especially some who were competing at the championships for the first time.

“In the youth race, it was exciting to see John Goddard come out of the water first, overall in the boys’ field, with Ethan Donzva close behind him. Zander Botha excelled in his race, winning gold.

Matt Hildebrand also had an incredible race, just missing out on the podium with a fourth-place finish. Ethan placed sixth in the Under-15 category and has qualified to represent Zimbabwe at the Africa Championships 2025,” said Fulton.

“In the girls’ Under-15 category, special mention must be made of Rachel O’Donoghue, who placed second and, at one point, was leading the race on the run. Olivia Beamish had an excellent race, finishing on the podium in third place.

“In our Under-13 girls, congratulations to Alexis Beamish for winning bronze. Hannah Hosack finished fourth and Olivia Collett fifth.”

For the juniors, Triathlon Zimbabwe fielded three athletes: Rohnan Nicholson, Stanley Chasakara, and Callum Smith. Nicholson finished fourth, earning his ticket to the Africa Championships.

Callum Smith placed sixth, while Chasakara finished eighth.

“All three junior men raced hard and well, with Rohnan narrowly missing the podium by placing fourth and qualifying for the Africa Championships team, with Callum in sixth and Stanley in eighth position,” said Fulton.

The team is now looking forward to their end-of-season event and prize-giving on March 30 at Mount Pleasant Pool, followed shortly by the Africa Championships, which will take place from April 4 to 6 in South Africa.