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Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
INTRIGUING contests are expected at Mount Pleasant Swimming Pool when some of Zimbabwe’s top juniors and youths compete in a Triathlon Zimbabwe selection event on Sunday. TZ president Rick Fulton yesterday said they are using the competition at the weekend to select juniors who will compete in the South African Championships in March.

The event on Sunday will be the third competition in the New Year while it’s the eighth stop on the TZ calendar for 2013-2014.
“We are holding an event at Mt Pleasant Swimming Pool and this part of our series for the 2013-2014 season.

“This is a major selection event for juniors who will go to South Africa towards the end of March.
“We usually get an average of 150 athletes and that is the same number we expect from the Under-9 age group right to the 50-plus,” said Fulton.

Fulton said their competition will comprise of short and long events to cater for the various ages and capabilities. “There will be different athletes in different ages and capabilities. We will have a total of seven different distances. “The shortest distance will be for the Under-9s, who compete in a 25m swim, 2.5km bike ride and a 400m run while the seniors will go 1 500m swim, 40km ride and 10km run,” said Fulton. Up-and-coming athlete Luke Steffens is expected to take part in the Under-11 boys category where he could face competition from Collet Connor and Simon Levieux while the seasoned Martin Mbofana has set his sights on winning the senior men’s division. Last week, Mbofana did well during an event at Mount Pleasant Pool.

“I did well last weekend because I was well-prepared and I just believe that I  will continue with the fine form this weekend,” said Mbofana.