Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 120, July 2019 | Page 62

Chasin
MULTISPORT
He’s just turned 19, but Jamie Riddle is already a well established name in South African triathlon. Just a few weeks ago he won
a second consecutive junior African Champs title, and he is currently in Europe again, competing on the circuit and preparing
for the World Champs in Switzerland, but we managed a quick interview as he was packing for the trip. – BY SEAN FALCONER
MA: What motivates you to put in the hard work in order to compete at the
highest level in triathlon?
JR: To be honest, I think I am addicted to it. I have found that the process that
triathletes have to go through is insane. It’s four to five hours of training every day,
and you have to push your mind past boundaries... but I’m drawn to the brutality of
it, and how hard it is. I enjoy breaking down that pain, and it’s addictive, like a drug.
MA: So tell me how you got your start in triathlon, please.
JR: My dad, Alec, made a major comeback to triathlon when I was about 12, and
he went from being a nice big bloke to a fit dad, which really inspired me. I also
got to travel the world with him and see the sport, and that really sparked my own
dreams. I remember being in Kona in 2012, at the Ironman World Champs, and
Dad had a very bad race that day, not what he wanted. I remember being so hurt
for him, and that sparked something for me, so I engraved on a tree near the venue
that I would make my debut there in 2027.
MA: Why specifically 2027?
JR: I was just thinking of years and age, and for some reason I thought 27 is
MA: I suppose this is similar to a young track athlete focusing on middle
distance and cross country running before moving into road running and
ultimately marathons and ultras. In other words, while you’re young and
you’ve got the speed, you should do the shorter distances tri events, and only
later move up to Ironman distances?
JR: Exactly. Ironman is way down the line for me, I’m not even looking at it right
now. It’s in the subconscious, for sure, but it’s such an insane distance to start
racing now at 19, when you’re only going to reach your peak somewhere between
30 and 35. And I think to race that long for 15 years would be mentally draining.
MA: Having just finished school, are you pursuing a professional career in
the sport full-time, or are you also looking to study further?
JR: This year I have been solely focused on triathlon, mainly sprint distance
a great age for Ironman. I’ll be grown up, it’ll be nine years after school, and I’ll
have enough time to get ready for it. Also, Kyle Buckingham was very close with
our family, and he was around that age at the time and killing it in triathlons, so I
thought that’ll be the age when I’m going to peak. I definitely will go give Kona a
good go one day, but I’m chasing the Olympic dream now, so Kona may have to
wait a bit longer, because the focus is on shorter distance triathlons.
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ISSUE 120 JULY 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za