Team South Africa making mark on international stage
The recently concluded 2023 Africa Triathlon Championships, held on the scenic Egyptian West coast of Hurghada from October 13th to 15th, witnessed an exceptional performance from the South African contingent. The event saw a total of 18 talented athletes from South Africa, competing across various age categories and para sections. With a diverse range of participants, including Elite, U15, PTS3, PTS4, PTVI, and PTWC, South Africa made its mark on the international triathlon stage.
The South African team consisted of outstanding individuals, including Jefferson Murdoch (Male Guides), Nerice Barnabas (Personal Handler PTWC), Jamie Riddle (Elite Men and U23 Men), Dylan Nortje (Elite Men), Vicky Van Der Merwe (Elite Women), Amber Schlebusch (Elite Women and U23 Women), Shanae Williams (Elite Women), Bridget Theunissen (Elite Women and U23 Women), Kadence Ribbink (Junior Women), Kirsty Weir (PTS3 Women), Mhlengi Gwala (PTS4 Men), Heinrich Vermaak (PTVI Men), Yusuf Kadwa (PTWC Men), Nicholas Horne (U15 Men), and Karli Lotter (U15 Women).
Elite race had tough distances in scenic city Hurghada
The Elite and U23 categories featured a challenging course, including a 1500m swim over 2 laps, a 40km bike ride over 8 laps, and a 10km run. Nestled in the scenic city of Hurghada, renowned for its aquatic sports, the event provided an ideal setting for the championships, with the South African athletes delivering stellar performances across all categories.
In the Elite men’s section, Jamie Riddle, who previously secured the 6th position at the Commonwealth Games, triumphed with an impressive time of 1 hour 59 minutes and 30 seconds, shattering the elusive 2-hour mark. Riddle’s exceptional performance not only secured him the top spot in the Elite Men’s category but also automatically clinched the gold in the U23 Men’s category due to his age. Another remarkable display came from Dylan Nortje, securing a commendable 4th position with a time of 2 hours 3 minutes and 36 seconds.
In the Elite women’s category, South Africa dominated the podium with Vicky Van Der Merwe leading the pack with a remarkable time of 2 hours 12 minutes and 20 seconds. Amber Schlebusch claimed the second spot with a time of 2 hours 14 minutes and 54 seconds, followed by Shanae Williams in third place with a time of 2 hours 19 minutes. Bridget Theunissen secured the fifth position with a competitive time of 2 hours 22 minutes and 50 seconds. Notably, Schlebusch and Theunissen, based on their age, also secured the first and second spots in the U23 women’s sections respectively.
Top performances accross all categories
In the Junior Women’s section, Kadence Ribbink claimed a fantastic second place with an impressive time of 1 hour 10 minutes and 29 seconds, adding to her recent achievement of securing the 4th place at the Youth Commonwealth Games for Team South Africa. She continues to be a promising talent in the world of triathlon. Sport South Africa previously did an athlete profile on Kadence. Resolute Ribbink blazing her own trail to triathlon glory
In the para categories, Team South Africa showcased remarkable prowess, with Kirsty Weir claiming gold in the PTS3 Women’s category with a time of 1 hour 29 minutes and 32 seconds, Mhlengi Gwala securing gold in the PTS4 Men’s category with a time of 1 hour 12 minutes and 47 seconds, and Heinrich Vermaak earning silver in the PTVI Men’s category with a time of 1 hour 31 minutes and 57 seconds. Unfortunately, Yusuf Kadwa could not finish his race in the PTWC Men’s category. Jefferson Murdoch and Nerice Barnabas played instrumental roles as team members assisting the South African athletes.
In the U15 sections, Nicholas Horne claimed the gold with a remarkable time of 31 minutes and 21 seconds in the men’s section, while Karli Lotter secured the gold with a time of 39 minutes in the U15 women’s section, showcasing their potential as future stars in the South African Triathlon team.
Combined team effort also claimed gold for team South Africa
Notably, in the Mixed Team Relay, the South African team comprising Jamie Riddle, Amber Schlebusch, Dylan Nortje, and Vicky Van Der Merwe claimed the gold with an impressive time of 1 hour 22 minutes and 39 seconds, outshining their competitors from Morocco and Algeria who secured the silver and bronze respectively.
Full schedule for 2023 still ahead
Looking ahead, the 2023 World Triathlon calendar remains packed for the remainder of the year. Next up is the World Cup Series race in Tongyeong, South Korea, scheduled for the upcoming weekend on October 21st, 2023. Notably, Jamie Riddle, Vicky Van Der Merwe, and Shanae Williams are set to represent South Africa in the Men’s and Women’s Elite sections, further showcasing their capabilities on the global stage.
Recent achievements have significantly impacted the world rankings, with Jamie Riddle climbing 49 positions to secure the 52nd rank in the Men’s Triathlon World Rankings. Similarly, Vicky Van Der Merwe and Shanae Williams demonstrated remarkable progress, with Vicky climbing 37 spots to claim the 83rd position, and Shanae jumping 30 spots to secure the 88th position in the Women’s Rankings. Their continued participation in prestigious events is expected to further elevate their positions in the global rankings, solidifying their status as top contenders in the world of triathlon.
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