BUDDING Zimbabwe junior triathlete Makanaka Mawere finished third in the Bonaqua Troutbeck African Triathlon Union (ATU) Cup Junior Championships today held at the holiday resort.
Mawere claimed a podium place behind race favourite South Africa’s Kira Ribbink and Anika Visser, also from South Africa, who came first and second, respectively. Josette Njeri from Kenya and another local girl Jessica Fuller completed the top five.
Mawere, who was eying a podium finish this year, having come seventh last year, was ecstatic after the race and felt that she had exceeded her expectations.
“It was a tough race. The hills, the bike and the run, were very challenging and given that I didn’t have that many people in my race, I just had to push myself. There wasn’t really anyone I could pace myself with. I had to be mentally strong and tell myself to keep going and not to give up,” said Mawere.
“But otherwise, I did enjoy the race. It’s a pretty challenging race, but it is fun. I enjoyed all the support. It was amazing everyone cheering It was a great race altogether.”
Going into today’s race, Mawere had just recovered from a shoulder injury she suffered just after the Africa Championships, which prevented her from swimming.
“I am such pleased injuries are never easy to get over but I think this performance is just motivation for me to keep going and to show that even when you have an injury you can still push and get better and move on from that and improve as an athlete, so I am really happy with the race I did exceed my expectations I thought I was going to do a lot worse, so I am pleased,” she said
Mawere is using the experience she got from the Troutbeck ATU Cup Junior Championships as a springboard for one day taking part in the World Championships.
“I just hope to improve further in Triathlon, my cycling I would like to improve that and get better at that as well as my swimming, but I would say my future goal is to compete on the World Stage like World Champs and actually do well once I get there I would say that’s what I am training towards at the moment,” she added.
Junior Women Results
- Kira Ribbink, SA
- Anika Visser, SA
- Makanaka Mawere, ZIM
- Josette Njeri, KEN
- Jessica Fuller, ZIM
