our help Hanson Singaphi became
the first black South African athlete to
successfully complete the IRONMAN
World Championship in Kailua-Kona,
Hawaii in 2018.
We also had five athletes successfully
complete the Isuzu IRONMAN 70.3
World Championship in Nelson
Mandela Bay in September 2018. One
of these was Zolile Mhlahlo. He couldn’t
swim when he joined and in his first
two years with us, he missed the time
cut-off at various IRONMAN swims. But
he persevered, and even though he is
among the last of our group to come
out of the swim, he rides himself into
the top three among us because he is
so talented on the bike and the run. He’s
now among the top achievers in the
programme and in his current 45-49
age group at events such as IRONMAN
African Championship.
What are the particular challenges?
Our most common challenge is that
athletes who join the programme
have little or no swimming experience,
especially in openwater. Most of the
team have to be taught the basics from
scratch. It is a process that requires a
lot of time, patience and dedication –
from both the coach and the athlete.
We do our best to help our athletes
receive all the right technique coaching,
training aids and advice in order to
successfully complete the swimming leg
in IRONMAN events. It is an intricate part
of the athletes’ overall success as once
they have achieved this, they are able to
enter and compete in a full event. It is the
big achievement that all our athletes look
forward to each year.
Travel and accommodation costs are
also a challenge. It is difficult to sponsor
athletes to travel to events like Standard
Bank IRONMAN 70.3 Durban. As a result
we focus on Eastern Cape races.
Any rising stars that you have
identified? Our main aim is increasing
mass participation by previously
disadvantaged individuals, and we have
had some good talent come through
the process each season. Some of our
current athletes include Athi Mtiya,
Sadie Niekerk and Talia Nomdoe.
What does the programme entail?
Our athletes get the triathlon equipment,
training programme, coaching, and
nutrition they need in order to participate
in IRONMAN events. I facilitate training
"WE ALWAYS
WANT TO SEE
MANY OTHERS BE
INSPIRED TO TAKE
UP TRIATHLON
AS A SPORT"
weekends where longer sessions are
done as a group. These sessions include
long bike and brick run sessions as well
as ocean swims combined with long
training runs.
I also have regular meetings and
presentations with the athletes where
important pre-race and preparation
information is shared. We also share
mental strength techniques that aid in
their event preparation.
How can someone join the team?
There is an annual application process in
place which allows interested athletes to
apply for a spot on the programme. They
can get on to our application mailing list
by simply submitting their contact details
on our website. Applications open after
the Standard Bank IRONMAN African
Championship each season. Certain
athletes are also recommended to us by
other people in the sport.
What are your biggest needs and
who are your current supporters?
Our current sponsors are Standard
Bank, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality,
IRONMAN South Africa and the Profiles
Fitness Health Club.
Our biggest needs are funding the
costs of transport, accommodation,
coaching, race fees, kit and equipment.
Other needs include nutrition and
training facilities.
What are your goals for 2019?
We had 26 people competing at
IRONMAN African Championship
this year. Then we would like to place
among the top performers in the Tri Club
Divisions this year. And we always want
to see many others be inspired to take up
triathlon as a sport.
For me, personally, it has always
been a dream to see this programme
grow and expand nationally one day.
The programme has given me the
opportunity to pursue what I am
passionate about through the sport
of triathlon and also given me a
platform to give back. If it was not
for this programme, myself and many
of our athletes would not have been
able to achieve what we have in the
sport. It’s wonderful just to have the
opportunity to be a part of a sport like
IRONMAN triathlon.
To get involved in the Siyaphambili Triathlon Participation Programme visit www.siyatriathlon.co.za.
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