PRERACE favourite Jonas Schomburg lived up to his billing after romping to victory in the 2017 Bonaqua Troutbeck ATU Triathlon African Cup title at the Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga yesterday.
BY DANIEL NHAKANISO IN NYANGA
The 23-year-old German-born triathlete put up an inspired display as he led from start to finish through a gruelling 1,5km swim, 40km and 10km run to clinch the coveted title in the prestigious race which yesterday celebrated its 10th anniversary as an International Triathlon Union (ITU)- sanctioned race.
Schomburg finished well clear of second-placed Jean-Paul Burger, who battled back into contention after coming out from the 1,5km swimming leg at the back of the seven-men field in the men’s elite race while another German triathlete finished third.
“Two weeks ago, I finished second at the South African Championships and now I managed to finish first. It’s my second time here at Troutbeck; I like the country, the people here are very friendly and I always look forward to this race,” said the talented triathlete, who is in the process of switching his nationality from Turkey to Germany.
Schomburg, who is a good swimmer, said his strategy was to control the race by dominating the swimming leg of the race.
“I’m a good swimmer and I’m always in the leading pack in the big races, so I was really trying to push the pace and try to separate everyone on the swim because that’s what makes the race tough and I feel good because it worked well in the end,” he said.
In the women’s race, Japanese triathlete Aoi Kuramoto put on a dominant performance to clinch the title ahead of South Africa’s Cindy Schwulst, who was for the third consecutive year forced to settle for the second step on the winners’ podium.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Kuramoto’s compatriot Chika Sato settled for third position while Jodie Berry, a former winner at the Troutbeck ATU African Cup, came home in fourth position.
Yesterday’s Bonaqua Troutbeck ATU African Triathlon Cup coincided with the Zimbabwe National Championships where the best performing junior athletes will have a chance to be selected for the African Triathlon Championships to be held in Tunisia in May.
Local schools took part in the aquathlon which incorporates run-swim and-run as one continuous event for teams and individuals, while Bonaqua also sponsored the first triathlon corporate team relay challenge.
