The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze in NYANGA
IT may take longer for locals to enjoy the advantage that comes with hosting the annual Bonaqua Triathlon Africa Cup after they failed to secure a podium finish once again in both the elite and junior races at Troutbeck yesterday.
At the 16th edition of the prestigious cup here, Ireland’s Elizabeth Carril, who was also a Bonaqua Triathlon Africa Cup debutant, walked away with gold for the elite women’s race.
Marit Van Der Berg from Netherlands bagged silver, while Romanian Antonela Manac claimed bronze ahead of Japan’s Ikeno Minori.
Zimbabwe flag bearer Andy Kuipers could only settle for fifth place.
In the men’s elite race, Kazakhstan were the toast of the day, with Beisenbayev Ayan and Temirlan Temirov grabbing the first and third positions in that order, while Austria’s Noah Kunz settled for silver.
It has been years since Zimbabwe last had men’s representatives for the elite race.
In fact, for more than four years, the country pinned its hopes on elite star and now-retired veteran Wynn Greer, who won a number of silverware for the elite women.
And since her retirement at the age of 46 in 2022, Zimbabwe has not been represented at the elite level.
However, despite failing to make a podium finish, Kuipers feels she is in the right direction ahead of her preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
At the event, which attracted 14 elite and an equal number of junior athletes, Kuipers had hoped for a top-three finish.
She is coming back into triathlon after a four-year study-induced break to the competition.
Kuipers is studying psychology at Wingate University in the United States.
She, however, temporarily moved back home after taking a semester off her studies to focus on her races, as she looks to accumulate enough points for qualification for the Olympic Games.
“It may not be the position that I looked forward to, but I am satisfied with how I did, considering that I was last here four years ago. Obviously, I had to shrug off the rust . . .” Kuipers said.
“The race was important for me; I needed to get early points for the Olympics, and I hope I did. I also wanted to race and get to the finishing point in front of my home people and do them proud as well.
“No matter what position I came out, I am happy that I completed my race. It was not easy but I told myself that I needed to push harder until the end . . . it was tough, after four years, but I made it anyway.”
Meanwhile, in the junior races, South Africans Nicholas Horne and Nathan Foster won gold and silver medals, respectively, while Namibia’s Fouree Steyn took home bronze.
Zimbabweans Stanely Chasakara and Mandla Mthethwa completed the race on numbers eight and last in the nine-men race.
In the junior women’s race, South Africa’s Anika Visser won the gold medal, while two-time defending champion Kadence Ribbink was elbowed out to second position, as Namibia’s Maja Jeanne Brinkmann walked away with bronze.
“Everything went well, although the swimming was tough for me, so I had to capitalise on the bike because I am stronger when cycling uphill,” said Visser.
“The environment and people in Zimbabwe are friendly.
“It was enjoyable hearing all those cheers and quite a motivation for a return next year, although I am not very sure if I will make it because I will be going to the United States for school.”
The annual event has over the years developed to become a multi-sport festival featuring the corporate challenge, Aquathlon, open water swim, mountain biking, among other challenges.
This year, the organisers also introduced the trail run.
Veteran Greer feels there is need for the event organisers to come up with programmes meant to motivate the youth to take up such events.
She said local athletes should also take advantage of having the event on home soil.
“Zimbabweans should be making up more numbers at such events. We need to go out there and motivate more youngsters and as well scout for talent,” she said.
“The event has plenty sponsors, so maybe it is also wise to have talent events in less-privileged communities and have these sponsors help them with kits, bicycles and other stuff so that they can also take part.
“We have a lot of potential locally and it is up to us to assist and make them stars.”
