PAM Fulton, the head coach of Triathlon Zimbabwe, is buzzing with excitement for today (Sunday) at Mt Pleasant the final test for her athletes before the prestigious South African Championships.
Fulton has guided her team through the ups and downs of training and competition with dedication and perseverance.
“At present, 13 athletes have attained the required 10 points to be eligible for selection to the South African Championships,” she said.
“After this weekend’s race, the selection committee will meet before announcing the final team.”
The previous weekend’s race, marked by showers, presented its challenges.
“The wet conditions made the bike course a little trickier, with slippery road surfaces requiring the athletes to be more cautious,” Fulton explained.
“But I’m pleased to say there were no incidents, and most of our young athletes managed to improve their times considerably.”
As the National Championships in Troutbeck approach on March 8, Fulton is focused on fine-tuning every detail.
Over the half-term break, some athletes are travelling to Troutbeck to familiarize themselves with the course, practising the technical sections of the bike course and getting accustomed to the open-water swimming conditions in the dam.
Transitions, the often-overlooked “fourth discipline” in triathlon, are also a crucial aspect of Fulton’s training.
Practising transitions is essential for the athletes to have their best possible race day performance.
One week after the National Championships, the selected team will head to Benoni for the South African Championships.
It’s a busy and exciting period for Triathlon Zimbabwe, and Fulton is eager to see her athletes in action.
“We have a very busy and exciting few weeks ahead of us,” she said.
“Race hard, believe in yourselves, and never give up.”
The Boys Under 17 age group has been a highlight in the run-up to the qualifiers, with Rohnan Nicholson, Callum Smith, and Stanley Chasakara consistently delivering standout performances week after week.
