REIGNING African Championships triathlon queen Andie Kuipers is back on home soil, ready to launch her journey toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics with the Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup at Troutbeck next month.
The Australia-based elite, who missed last year’s Troutbeck race due to an Achilles injury, proved her resilience by competing at the African Games with minimal training — and still claimed gold.
March 14 marks the perfect opportunity for Kuipers to start accumulating points for her LA28 Olympic campaign.
"I'm so excited to be coming back to Zimbabwe to race at the African Cup in Troutbeck. With the new Olympic criteria having recently been released, Troutbeck will be my opening race for my 2028 Olympic campaign,” she said in a recorded video.
"This feels like a full-circle moment to me because Troutbeck was essentially where my triathlon career began."
A beneficiary of the IOC and Zimbabwe Olympic Committee Olympic Solidarity scholarship, Kuipers is determined to put a smile on the face of every Zimbabwean.
Keep Reading
- Triathlon duo tipped for Paris Olympics
- Triathlon duo tipped for Paris Olympics
- Zimbabwe juniors struggle in Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup
- Ideas Festival to inspire change, collaboration
"When I was 13, I dreamed of racing elite at Troutbeck. Now, standing here competing for a spot at the 2028 Olympic Games feels surreal,” she said.
“I couldn't think of a better way to start my season in front of a home crowd. To be able to do well here would mean a lot to my federation and to my Olympic committee, so I'm here to put my best foot forward and do my best."
At last year’s African Games, Kuipers finished with a time of 2:17:18, claiming gold despite having only eight weeks of limited training. Kenyan Megan Irungu took silver.
"Troutbeck is an outstanding event and I'm always so proud to represent a federation like ours (Triathlon Zimbabwe). I hope to see you all there."
The African Games had showcased her versatility: a standout swim, one of the fastest bike splits, and a composed run to the finish line — proving why she is Africa’s triathlon queen.