BY MAGRETH RUZVIDZO The Triathlon Zimbabwe youth team scooped two medals at the South Africa Youth Championships held in Maselspoort over the weekend.
Anje Van As bagged the gold medal in the Under-15 category, while Chloe Steenkamp scooped a bronze medal in the Under-13 category.
Team coach Pamela Fulton said the tour provided a platform for the athletes to gain international exposure.
“The Zimbabwean team had a fantastic experience with the majority racing regionally for their first time,” Fulton said.
“Anje Van As being the defending Under-15 champion once again had a fantastic race, leading the pack out in the water and off the bike. She was caught near the end of the run, but managed to outsprint Lome Gouws from South Africa to win the gold medal.”
“Chloe Steenkamp was Zimbabwe’s other medal winner. She competed in the Under-13 category and exited the water in third position, finishing the race by winning bronze,” she said.
Fulton highlighted that the competition managed to set pointers on areas that needed attention.
“The majority of our athletes are currently bottom off their category agewise, so yesterday was a massive learning experience for next year when they compete again at South Africa Championships,” she said.
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“Our athletes tend to fall behind in the swim leg of the race and are, therefore, playing catch-up. I feel this is partly due to limited open water experience.”
The team fielded nine athletes in the Under-13 and Under-15 events and had five juniors in the Under-19 category for the Junior Cup held at the same event.
“Our Under-17 and Under-19 juniors now look forward to touring to their South African Championships to be held next month,” Fulton added.
- Follow Magreth on Twitter @MagrethRuzvidzo
