RACHEL Shamiso Klamer, a Zimbabwe-born Netherlands triathlete, made a triumphant return to her birthplace, winning the gold medal at the Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup Troutbeck in Nyanga.
Klamer, who was born in Harare 34 years ago, beat Japan’s Minori Ikeno into second place, while her Dutch compatriot Marit Van Den Berg took bronze.
“It’s great to be here,” Klamer said after the race. “The place is beautiful, and the people are friendly. The race was very difficult due to the high altitude, but it was great.”
Klamer, who relocated to the Netherlands with her parents at the age of four, was happy to be back in Zimbabwe, where her parents worked as doctors in Nyanga.
Zimbabwe’s junior woman representative, Nicole Madya, claimed a bronze medal in the junior women’s category, narrowly missing out on a spot at the African Championships.
In the elite men’s race, Greece’s Panagiotis Bitados took gold, while Germany’s Valentin Wernz won silver, and Paul Georgenthum of Germany won bronze. Zimbabwe’s junior men representatives, Callum Smith and Stanley Chasakara, finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
