Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
PROMISING triathlete Zander Botha says he is hoping for more races outside the country as he seeks to experience different competition.
The previous season saw him competing in a number of Africa Triathlon Junior Cup events, including at Troutbeck where he got gold.
He also competed in Namibia and South Africa.
“I am planning to go to a bunch of new races.
“Maybe I will miss out on a few other races that I did last season, but I also want to go to new ones like Mauritius, Tunisia and get to experience different courses against different competitions.
“But this season I want to try and focus on trying to get podiums in other races more and outside of just Troutbeck,” said Botha. Botha had hoped to make the upcoming Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, but Zimbabwe got one slot in the female category and will be represented by Rachel O’Donoghue, who has also been on the rise.
Each National Olympic Committee was awarded a single quota place, except for the host nation, Senegal, who were allocated two quota places — one male and one female.
But for the 16-year-old, that has not stopped him from dreaming big, and he has set his eyes on making the World Championships next year.
Some of the events that can push him toward qualification include the Africa Championships next year.
“Since I was told I wasn’t able to go to the Youth Olympics, I have now set myself up to try to qualify for Worlds next year.
“So, my next big race is only next June in Tunisia for the Africa Championships.
“Now I am just having to do a slow but consistent progression not to go too fast and get into my peak racing abilities too early.
“I have nothing against not being able to go to the Youth Olympics.
“The only thing I am missing out on, that I feel sad about is the experience to meet other athletes, to be with people my age and to meet new people and to be in that area of expertise of people.
“But other than that, it’s just making me have to now refocus on a new goal, which is what I am all about now because Youth Olympics is not the be-all and end-all of my life.
“I knew that there was going to be something afterwards and now I am just having to refocus on another race,” Botha said.
With his eyes set on gracing the world stage, he is aware of the work he needs to put in. “So, I want to hopefully get podiums on bigger races, and I need to get a podium at Africa Championships if I want to qualify for Worlds. So, right now that’s the main sighted goal.”
Botha was part of the field recently at the third youth and juniors selection race at Mt Pleasant Pool.
“This third one was very good. I am very proud of myself, with how far I have come.
“So far, the progression has been slow but very consistent.
“The beginning of every season is always tough after five months of just training. Your body gets used to training.
“Now I have to adapt it to racing, so by the end of the season I will be seeing much better improvement and all of my work actually coming into it,” said Botha.
