Swakopmund hosts great triathlon

Athletes from 22 countries compete
Maja Brinkmann from Namibia took second place in the junior women's category, stating afterwards that although the competition was tough, she enjoyed taking part in the event.
Brian Munango
The coastal town of Swakopmund hosted its second Africa Triathlon Cup on Saturday, attracting competitors 22 countries in an event sponsored by Prosperity Health and RMB.

The athletes swam in the sea, cycled through the town centre, and ran along the promenade, with the competition featuring five categories: junior men and women, elite men and women, and sprints.

Swakopmund councillor Claus-Werner Goldbeck expressed his pride in the town's hosting of the competition, stating:

"We are very proud to host the Africa Triathlon Cup for the second time, with even more international triathletes. These are the ambassadors; when they go back home, they can tell people that Namibia is a beautiful place so that next time they can also come visit. That’s what we want."

President of the Namibia Triathlon Federation, Roual Spangenberg, said he was impressed with the number of participants who took part in the competition this year.



Winners

In the elite men's category, Richard Murray from the Netherlands was on top of his game, coming in at first place with a time of 00:57:00. Emil Holm from Denmark took second place after 00:57:22, and Matthew Wright, who travelled all the way from Barbados, took third place in 00:57:31.

In the elite women's category, Barbara de Koning, also from the Netherlands, took first place in a time of 01:05:09; Rachel Klamer, also from the Netherlands, finished second after 01:05:19; and Gajdošová Romana, from Slovakia, took third place in a time of 01:05:28.

South Africa dominated the junior men's category, with Kyle Erskine taking first place in a time of 01:05:49, Nathan Gallacher in second after 01:09:12, and Mário John Cossa from Mozambique happy to take third in 01:12:08.

In the junior women's category, Kadence Ribbink from South Africa took first place in a time of 01:16:23, and Maja Brinkmann from Namibia took second place in a time of 01:17:39. After the race, Brinkmann said: "It was really tough, and the competition was tight; I really enjoyed it, and I’m happy to have finished in second."

Mikhaela De Oliveira from South Africa took third place at 01:18:26.

The highlight of the Africa Triathlon Cup was para-athlete Jeromius Rooi, who took part in the triathlon and was a fan favourite as he finished in a time of 02:19:40.