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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter

THE national junior and youth team to compete at the Africa Triathlon Championships left the country yesterday for Agadir, Morocco, ahead of the event that is due to take place this coming weekend.

The championships are running from this Friday to Sunday in Agadir.

The team, led by national coach Pamela Fulton, is expected to arrive in Morocco tomorrow.

Zimbabwe is fielding 11 athletes at the championships, including United States-based Andie Kuipers, who will compete in the Under-23 women.

She will join the team in Agadir.

George Ascott and Makanaka Mawere are the team captains.

Speaking just before their departure, Ascott said they have bonded well as team following a training camp held last month in Harare.

He urged his teammates to give their best, come competition day.

“So definitely it looks like the team bonded well during the camp. We did a lot of time trials and training sessions together just seeing all that and how we can improve.

“It just seems like everyone is looking strong at the moment and ready to travel to Morocco…and just to give their best.

“I am hoping for a top four position that can possibly get me into the World Championships next year. So I am hoping that I can position myself high enough and also I am hoping for the fastest run split because I have been working a lot on my running,” said Ascott.

Ascott will be competing in the Junior Men (Under-19) Sprint together with Matipa Mawere.

He last competed at the Africa Championships in 2019 and won a gold medal in the Youth Under-15 boys.

He missed last year’s event due to school commitments.

“It’s been a while since I have competed at that top level. So I am just really excited to see how it goes.

“I competed in South Africa a while back, it kind of allowed me to see the competition and how they are performing at the moment. It kind of showed me what I have to do to go out and compete with them and coming top position,” said Ascott.

Makanaka Mawere, Emma Lidsba and Brooklyn Tippett are set to compete in the Junior Women (Under-19) Sprint.

The rest of the team will compete in the Youth Under-15 Super Sprint

Rohnan Nicholson and Callum Smith are going to take part in the Youth Under-15 boys while the trio of Anje van As, Tayleigh Taylor and Nicole Madya compete in the girls’ section.

Madya, who will be competing at the continental showpiece for the first time, is excited to have made the team.

“I was shocked at first and I am still shocked to this day, I still can’t believe I am actually representing my country.

“I am hoping for a podium (finish) but anything, a PB (personal best) will be good for me. But I am hoping for a podium.

“I think I am very well prepared for this event. I have actually been training quite a lot. The duathlon events were quite helpful especially for the bike and run fitness,” said Madya.