Young triathletes hoping for the best in SA

Suburban

AS the countdown for the South Africa Youth Championships continue, some of the local young triathletes that will be making their second appearance at the event have expressed confidence ahead of their departure next week.

The competition is set for February 26 at Maselspoort.

Zimbabwe is going to compete in the Under-13 boys and girls, and the Under-15 boys’ categories.

The trio of Rohnan Nicholson, Callum Smith and Zachary Summers are looking confident having made their maiden appearance last year.

Smith said he is looking forward to the event.

“We have made a lot of progress, me and my coach. We have been training for about six hard weeks now. The preparation I think it has been hard but it will pay off.

“I am hoping to try and do well,” said Smith.

Summers said last year was a bit tough since he did not know to expect and is hoping for a better outcome in the upcoming meet.

“I feel like I have trained really hard because this year we have got a lot of pressure to beat the South Africans.

“I have been training every day, very hard for around three weeks. And then my main goal when we get there is to try get in the top five, beat most of the South Africans.”

Nicholson, who is recovering from an ankle injury said it has not been easy but has made good progress.

“It has been hard. I have also been injured, so it’s been harder but I think I have been doing well.

“Swimming has been a lot harder, so that’s what I am working on. These guys (South Africans) can all swim down there and it’s just us here who can’t really swim as fast as they can. So that’s the hardest thing I think.”

“But I think the hard work has been done already, so it’s now just getting to that race point,” Nicholson said.

The team is expected to leave for South Africa on February 23.

Triathlon Zimbabwe wished the selected athletes all the best in the forthcoming tour of South Africa and also paid tribute to parents for supporting the young athletes realise their dreams and sponsors Valley Irrigation for supporting the upcoming sportspersons.

“Good luck to this young team who will soon be travelling to compete in the SA Youth Championships and Africa Junior Cup Maselspoort event. Each one of you have trained really hard, so believe in yourselves, go out there, have fun and do your best. Parents, thank you for your part in supporting these wonderful athletes daily and allowing them to fulfill their dreams. Valley Irrigation, we are so grateful to you for once again supporting Triathlon Zimbabwe’s touring athletes. We can’t wait to see our brand new touring kit!” Triathlon Zimbabwe said in a post on their Facebook Page.

Selected Triathlon Teams

Under 13 Girls

Jamie Pringle (Hellenic Academy)

Rachel O’donoghue (Chisipite Girls School)

Bianca Van De Linde (Core Academy)

Olivia Beamish (Siloam Academy)

Under 13 Boys

Zander Botha (St Johns College)

Matthew Hildebrand (Hellenic Academy)

Aden Collett (Peterhouse Boys School)

Under 15 Boys

Rohnan Nicholson (St Johns College)