HARARE - Henri Schoeman paid tribute to Triathlon Zimbabwe (TZ) for their organisation after he won his third Troutbeck Triathlon African Championship title at the weekend.
The South African triathlete, who is the reigning African champion, successfully defended the title he has won in the previous two years after beating fellow countryman and SA national champion Richard Murray.
After his victory, an elated Schoeman said: “I’m really happy to be the African Champion for the second consecutive year,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
“Big thanks go to Triathlon Zimbabwe for superb organisation as always. It was also my third consecutive win in Troutbeck. Cheers to everyone out there cheering me on.”
Triathlon Zimbabwe president Rick Fulton had predicted a tough battle for Schoeman considering his recent international competitions heading to the Troutbeck race.
“He has to cause an advantage (Schoeman) and will try and force the lead out of the swim, his strongest discipline,” said Fulton.
“Henri (Schoeman) recently placed 26th in the Auckland World Triathlon series event in Auckland and so travel and recent ‘race legs’ may then come into play, however, he loves Troutbeck,” he said.
South African Gillian Sanders won the race in the women’s category to reclaim her African Championship title after coming home ahead of Lauren Dance.
Sanders, who was racing in Troutbeck for the first time, played second fiddle to Marie Rabie for most of the race but went into the lead during the swim leg until the end.