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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S best performing athlete at the 15th edition of the Triathlon Africa Cup Troutbeck, Anje Van As’ competitive year has come to an end with her focus being on academics.
Van As was the most outstanding local triathlete, coming fourth in the junior women’s competition.
South Africa won all the top three junior women’s positions, with Kadence Ribbink claiming gold, followed by Lowe Gouws and Mia van der Veen who finished second and third respectively.
Van As had started her race well on Saturday at Troutbeck Resort, coming out of the swim and cycling second to South Africa’s Ribbink with a comfortable distance from Gouws, but the Zimbabwean representative crumbled during her run.
“I was hoping to be in the top five and I’m happy that I finished fourth. My race wasn’t the best I’ve had. I was struggling a bit on the run, and I guess I have to move forward and work towards improving everything. There were strong athletes and I’m happy with my result. Being the youngest in the juniors’ category, and finishing in the top five I think is a good achievement for me.
“However, I’ve to do better on the swim and the bike considering that I can’t run well. I’m still trying to recover from my injury and once I fully recover, I’ll start proper training.
“As for the future, I’m not sure if I’ll be racing this year because I’ve my O-level exams coming up. So, I’m going to be focusing on my academics. Hopefully next year I’ll be able to pick up from there. So this year will focus on recovering and academics,” said Van As.
Nicole Madya, another Zimbabwean junior women’s competitor was fifth, while Makanaka Mawere failed to finish the race after getting a puncture during her cycling.
Meanwhile, Mutare based Zimbabwe’s junior men’s participant Mandlenkosi Mthethwa, the country’s only representative in the junior men’s race at Troutbeck, has set his sight on getting a scholarship at one of Harare’s schools to enable him to train with the bulk of triathletes who are at the capital city.
Mthethwa came last in a field of nine.
The country’s junior men’s participant Duwan Botha was forced to withdraw midway through his running race after complaining of having difficulties in breathing, leaving Mthethwa alone.
“For me to catch up with these guys will be very hard because I’m from Mutare, the only one from Mutare as I’m training by myself while the Harare guys have some partners, have some coaches to train them. My coaches are from Harare, so I’ve to do online training sessions which isn’t too beneficial.
“I’m hoping to get some scholarships or offers in Harare so that I get an opportunity to train with fellow mates. I’ll be in the juniors up to 2025 and hopefully I can make it to the elites,” said Mthethwa. — @ZililoR
Online Reporter