It was a victorious Biathle/Triathle World Championships for local athletes as the Buffalo City contingent in the South African team returned with a 21-medal haul between 12 athletes.
Sixteen local athletes in total went to the competition which took place in Sarasota, Florida USA, over the past weekend and saw thousands of athletes from across the world taking part in the event.
“Our athletes have done extremely well,” said local biathle/triathle coach Sammy Saunders, who coaches most of the athletes who took part.
“If you look at last year’s results the guys from here came back with about seven medals and this time they won over 20,” said Saunders.
Two world champs emerged from the Buffalo City group, with Daniel Breetzke from Selborne Primary in the youth E boys’ division triumphing in biathle, while Paul Elliot in the master A division came in first in triathle, which was the only triathle medal picked up.
It was superb performances from both to beat the other athletes in their divisions and they add to an impressive list of world champs from the Buffalo City region.
“I am extremely impressed with Daniel Breetzke. He shocked everyone with his win. He put in the hard work and for a youngster to return as a world champion is just amazing,” said Saunders.
“Paul was fantastic. He is part of my programme even though he is based in Johannesburg and I was so impressed with his performance. To win a gold in the triathle on the Saturday and then a bronze on the Sunday in biathle was really special.”
Other athletes that did very well were Gonubie Primary student Emily Raath in the youth D girls division and Rodney Westgate in the master A division, who both picked up silver medals, while Stirling Primary’s Nathan Gallacher and Elliot both won bronze medals, rounding out the top individual performances.
On the team medal front, most of the local contingent managed medals.
Breetzke with a silver in the relay and silver in the team event, Elliot a team gold, Raath a team silver, Westgate a gold in the relay and team and Gallacher with a relay gold and silver in the team all added to their individual medals.
Theko Khetsi and Matthew Raath also claimed gold team medals, Kara Batting and Amber Herman silver team medals, Ben Heuer a silver relay medal and Sheree Brandt and Tiffany Scott won bronze team medals.
“It is so motivating for the sport when these athletes return with these medals and then others see how well they have done and want to try and succeed as well,” said Saunders.
“It all boils down to one simple thing – if you put in the hard work you will reap the rewards and all of our athletes did that and they were justly rewarded.”
Sweet 16 hit their straps in fine style
Sixteen local athletes in total went to the competition which took place in Sarasota, Florida USA, over the past weekend and saw thousands of athletes from across the world taking part in the event.
“Our athletes have done extremely well,” said local biathle/triathle coach Sammy Saunders, who coaches most of the athletes who took part.
“If you look at last year’s results the guys from here came back with about seven medals and this time they won over 20,” said Saunders.
Two world champs emerged from the Buffalo City group, with Daniel Breetzke from Selborne Primary in the youth E boys’ division triumphing in biathle, while Paul Elliot in the master A division came in first in triathle, which was the only triathle medal picked up.
It was superb performances from both to beat the other athletes in their divisions and they add to an impressive list of world champs from the Buffalo City region.
“I am extremely impressed with Daniel Breetzke. He shocked everyone with his win. He put in the hard work and for a youngster to return as a world champion is just amazing,” said Saunders.
“Paul was fantastic. He is part of my programme even though he is based in Johannesburg and I was so impressed with his performance. To win a gold in the triathle on the Saturday and then a bronze on the Sunday in biathle was really special.”
Other athletes that did very well were Gonubie Primary student Emily Raath in the youth D girls division and Rodney Westgate in the master A division, who both picked up silver medals, while Stirling Primary’s Nathan Gallacher and Elliot both won bronze medals, rounding out the top individual performances.
On the team medal front, most of the local contingent managed medals.
Breetzke with a silver in the relay and silver in the team event, Elliot a team gold, Raath a team silver, Westgate a gold in the relay and team and Gallacher with a relay gold and silver in the team all added to their individual medals.
Theko Khetsi and Matthew Raath also claimed gold team medals, Kara Batting and Amber Herman silver team medals, Ben Heuer a silver relay medal and Sheree Brandt and Tiffany Scott won bronze team medals.
“It is so motivating for the sport when these athletes return with these medals and then others see how well they have done and want to try and succeed as well,” said Saunders.
“It all boils down to one simple thing – if you put in the hard work you will reap the rewards and all of our athletes did that and they were justly rewarded.”
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