ZIMBABWEAN elite woman triathlete Andie Kuipers has expressed her admiration for South African athlete Amber Schlebusch.
Kuipers considers Schlebusch to be an inspiration to athletes in Africa and beyond. Schlebusch has achieved remarkable success at the regional and international level despite being only 22 years old.
At last week’s Hong Kong Asia Cup, Amber – a Youth Olympic athlete – won a gold medal alongside Kuipers. However, Kuipers made a wrong turn during her final running lap due to the ill advice of a steward and ended up finishing in 12th place. Despite this, Amber was hailed as the star of Africa at the event.
As the country’s leading triathlete prepares for her final race of the year, the 2023 Africa Triathlon Cup Kilifi, Kenya, this morning, Kuipers had some kind words for Schlebusch.
“It is very inspiring to see how well Amber has done and is doing. I have no doubt she is going to be a leading force in African triathlon. She is such a lovely person too, and I have been lucky to be able to race with her for the past few years,” Kuipers told The EnterSport News.
The USA-based athlete also spoke of her goal to end the year on a high note.
“Kenya is a lot warmer than Hong Kong, and the humidity is on another level, but we will be racing early in the morning, so hopefully, conditions will be good,” she added.
“Ending on a high is non-negotiable for this last race. No matter what happens, I will give everything from start to finish, and whatever the result, I will be happy if I have given my best.”
Kuipers, who has raced on three different continents in three weeks with three different time zones, said she is grateful to have been accorded these opportunities and to race for her country.
“This is my last race of a year that has shown me how much I really love this sport and how much I want to make my dreams a reality, not only for myself but hopefully inspire the up-and-coming triathletes in Zim,” Kuipers said.
“I have progressed so much since the start of this year and want to show that this Sunday by leaving no stone unturned and leaving Kenya knowing I gave everything I had, which will be enough to satisfy me.”
In Kilifi, Kuipers will be up against a 13-strong elite women’s field comprising athletes from Austria, Romania, Ukraine, Mauritius, Algeria and hosts Kenya.
