Gideon Benade hopes to escalate his last year performance in the Bonaqua Troutbeck ATU African Cup elite men’s field slated for 16 February in the resort town of Nyanga.
By Tendai Chisiri
In an interview, Zimbabawe’s only participant in the event said he has already moved into a school campus .”I have done the best I can with the time as I have moved in a school campus to improve my training environment “, he said.
The athlete who is planning to do Africa Cup race in Durban in March said that he has few races to compete in as he financially supports himself and is looking for any support the country has to offer.
He revealed that he is not intimidated by being the only local in the Africa Cup.”It is a privilege to race for the country and Triathlon Zimbabwe on home soil, a great honor.Racing for Zimbabwe alone is tough but that is how it is and just have to deal with it”, he revealed to SportWay.
Gideon Benade said he enjoyed running and cycling in the triathlon race although he puts equal amount of discipline, effort and time in all the three that is cycling, running and swimming.
Benade is not banking on his last year participation to achieve better results.”The sport is unpredictable and it can be any athletes good or bad day.To know if my experience counts is after I have crossed the finish line”, he added.
Having finished 12 out of 14 athletes last year, Benade said this year its quite unpredictable.”Its hard to say I will finish in a better position this year.Lots of the athletes this year are looking for points for upcoming races in years to come “,
My aim is to get some racing as a training so that come time for 2024 Olympics , I am ready”, he divulged.
The event which consists of a 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run
last year attracted a paltry of 15 athletes but the figures doubled this year with 30 elite athletes 21 men and nine women .
In addition to the elite event, an inaugural ATU Junior Triathlon African Cup will also be staged at the same venue with Zimbabwe, Egypt, Tunisia, Mauritius, Namibia and South Africa taking part. Supporting events on the day include an African Cross-Triathlon (off-road) Championship, Corporate Team Triathlon Challenge and Zimbabwe Triathlon Championships over a number of events.
There is also the Tri-Kidz and Trisports triathlon, Aquathlon (run-swim-run) and an Open Water Swim.
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