Ellina Mhlanga, Zimpapers Sports Hub ZANDER Botha stepped up to the plate to produce an impressive show at the South Africa Junior and Youth Championships when winning a gold medal in the Youth Boys Under-15 over the weekend in Benoni. Triathlon Zimbabwe had an 18-member team, mainly consisting of youth athletes that took part in the Under-13 and Under-15, Super Sprint event made of 400m swim, 10km cycle and 2,5km run. They also had some juniors competing in the Sprint event (16 years and above), consisting of a 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run. In terms of podium performance, the day belonged to the youth athletes with Botha crossing the finish line first in the Boys Under-15. South Africa’s pair of Johannes Brink and Buhle Tshabalala were second and third respectively. It was a huge improvement for Botha, who got bronze last year. In the Youth Girls Under-15, Rachel O’Donoghue got a silver medal after coming second behind South Africa’s Taylor Foster. O’Donoghue had hoped to defend the title she won last year but Foster proved to be the better athlete of the day coming first. However, O’Donoghue, holds her head high up as she graduates to the next age-group, the junior category, next season having underlined her status in the youth category as one of the promising stars for the future. She won gold twice at the South Africa Championships as an Under-13 in 2023 and last year in the Under-15, and has dominated the local races. Olivia Beamish was third to weigh in with a bronze medal for the team. Her younger sister Alexis Beamish was not to be outdone as she also picked bronze in the Youth Girls Under-13. National coach Pamela Fulton, who was leading the team, described the tour as a success. “A very successful tour and fantastic to see our athletes being rewarded for their hard work and placing on the podium. “The weather was very chilly on race day with a little rain causing the roads to be slippery but this did clear during the day. “A very successful tour for Triathlon Zimbabwe where we came home with four medals. “Everyone performed really well and I am exceptionally proud of our team.” She was full of praise for young athletes with some of the youth competing at the championships for the first time. “In the youth race it was exciting to see John Goddard first overall out the water in the boys field with Ethan Donzva close on his heels. “Zander Botha excelled in his race winning gold overall. Matt Hildebrand also had an incredible race just missing out on the podium place by placing fourth. “Ethan placed sixth, Under-15, and qualified to represent Zimbabwe at Africa Championships 2025,” said Fulton. “In the girls Under-15 category special mention must be made of Rachel O’Donoghue, who placed second and at one stage was leading the race on the run. “Olivia Beamish had an excellent race finishing on the podium in bronze place. “In our Under-13 girls, congratulations to Alexis Beamish for winning bronze. Hannah Hosack fourth and Olivia Collett fifth.” For the juniors, Triathlon Zimbabwe fielded three athletes – Rohnan Nicholson, Stanely Chasakara and Callum Smith. Nicholson came fourth earning his ticket to the Africa Championships. Callum Smith was sixth and Chasakara finished eighth. “All three (junior) men raced hard and well, with Rohnan narrowly missing the podium by placing fourth and qualifying for the Africa Championships team, with Callum in sixth and Stanely eighth position.” They look forward to their end of season event and prize giving on March 30 at Mount Pleasant pool, followed shortly by the Africa Championships on the weekend of April 4 to 6 in South Africa.