dyton mupawaenda
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT’S just a few days before the 2025 Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup Troutbeck, and host Zimbabwe will be pinning their hopes on the junior athletes as they do not have representatives in the elite category this year.
The event, which traditionally attracts international participants, is scheduled for Saturday at the Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga.
It runs concurrently with the Africa Junior Cup.
Last year, Andie Kuipers was part of the elite field, and the host country had hoped she would be the sole representative in the 2025 edition.
However, she is still recovering from an injury, and her focus now is on the Africa Championships in April.
National coach Pamela Fulton said they would have wanted to have one of their own in the elite category.
“Andie has been nursing an Achilles injury, which is healing nicely, and her training is progressing.
“But it is not yet at the level to be able to race with confidence at Troutbeck.
“She had so hoped to compete on home soil once again, but after much discussion, we agreed that, with the Africa Championships coming only four weeks after Troutbeck, the most sensible thing is to not risk injuring her Achilles again prior to the Africa Championships,” said Fulton.
The trio of Stanely Chasakara, Callum Smith, Mandlenkosi Mthethwa, and Nicole Madya is expected to rep-resent the nation in the Africa Junior Cup.
Madya is the sole representative in the junior women.
The locals will also be competing for the National Championships titles for Under-17 and Under-19.
“Our juniors are ready to race.
“Unfortunately, Rohnan (Nicholson) will not be there to compete for the Under-17 National Championship title as he has been invited to a cycling camp in South Africa.
“This will therefore leave Stanley and Callum to compete for the title. A close and exciting race is expected. Nicole will be our only junior lady competing.
“Mandla will compete for the Under-19 National Championships title, but all three men will be competing against South Africa and Namibia for the Africa Cup title,” said Fulton.
Kuipers said she had to take some time off running due to the injury.
“I have had an injury. I have got an Achilles tendonitis. So, I have had to take a few weeks off from running, but I am slowly coming back.
“The Africa Championships is my main priority for the season, being that it’s maximum points, and I am moving to Australia.
“So, I really needed to maximise on those points. And unfortunately, we had to make the decision to miss Troutbeck because I don’t want to get injured again.
“Before that, it would have been too much of a risk to race Troutbeck being so under-prepared on the run.
“But otherwise, I am in really good swim and bike shape. I am hoping that at the Africa Championships, I am going to be in full health,” said Kuipers.
While Kuipers is disappointed she will not be part of the upcoming competition, she is happy with the progress she is making. She is currently working with a group of athletes in South Africa.
“I have been working really hard here in Durban. I have got a good group. And I am in a good place.
“And mentally now, I mean. I am really upset that I am not going to be at Troutbeck being a home race,” said Kuipers.
The Troutbeck event has developed to become a multi-sport festival.
Online Reporter