dyton mupawaenda
Ellina Mhlanga-Senior Sports Reporter
TRIATHLON Zimbabwe national coach Pamela Fulton is confident of an exciting second half of the season when they resume their events this month.
Following a break for the festive season, competition is expected to return on January 14 with a full programme of triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and aquabike events lined up for the day in Mount Pleasant.
The national association has had several selection races to determine athletes who will represent the country in the South Africa Championships.
The likes of Rachel O’Donoghue, Olivia Beamish, Daniel Nicholson and John Goddard are currently leading in the girls and boys’ youth categories.
They will be out to continue making positive strides towards qualification for the South Africa Championships as the season continues.
There three more selection races to take place. Fulton said they have had a good season so far although they are still struggling to retain the numbers going into the juniors’ section.
“We have had a really good number of youth athletes this season but continue to battle to keep them in the sport through their junior years.
“We have 12 youth hoping to qualify to compete at South Championships early March, with three more selection races on the calendar.
“Rachel O’Donoghue and Olivia Beamish are the highest ranked youth girls at the moment, with Daniel Nicholson and John Goddard being the highest ranked boys.
“Rohnan Nicholson and Callum Smith excelled at Africa Championships in October in the youth category. They have now moved into the junior category,” said Fulton.
Nicholson and Smith picked two bronze and a silver medal respectively at the Africa Championships held in Egypt.
Fulton, who is also Triathlon Zimbabwe vice president said they are hopeful of the Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup due to take place in February. It will run concurrently with the Africa Triathlon Junior Cup.
Andie Kuipers, who is pursuing qualification for Paris 2024 Olympic Games is expected to represent the country in the Africa Cup. The Olympic Games are scheduled for July 26 to August 11.
“We are excited once again for our flagship event, the Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup, which is scheduled for February. This doubles as our National Championships.
“Andie Kuipers is now based back in Zimbabwe until the end of the Paris 2024 qualification period. We will be working closely together as she builds up towards the end of the qualification period.
“She will compete in six events in the hope of building her world ranking. One event being our Troutbeck Cup event and another (one) hopefully the African Games (in) Ghana, in March.
“Having Andie here for a while will be very beneficial for our youth and junior athletes. They will be able to learn so much from her and what it takes to go all the way in our sport.
“We sincerely hope to have many elite athletes travel to Zimbabwe in the hopes of building their ranking, despite it being early in the season for those living in the Northern Hemisphere,” Fulton said.
Online Reporter