Big year ahead for triathlete
Triathlete, Henri Schoeman, is building up to a big year with Olympic qualification at the forefront of his endeavours.
HAVING cruised to victory at the KwaZulu-Natal Triathlon Championships recently, up-and-coming triathlete and Elite Athlete Development Programme (EADP) stalwart, Henri Schoeman, has a big year ahead of him as he sets his sights on the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Schoeman has been a regular on the International Triathlon Series starting line, and with the global season fast approaching the KZN champs came at the perfect time for him as he builds up to a big year with Olympic qualification at the forefront of his endeavours.
“I was happy with the way I raced at the KZN champs, and it was important to see where I was, following my summer training. I haven’t done a local event in a long time and it was a nice little confidence booster getting a win back home, going into what is going to be a really big season for me,” Schoeman said.
The Durban athlete has been with the EADP, driven by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport and Recreation, since its inception in 2014, and he is happy with the progress that he has made under the guidance of the professionals at the Prime Human Performance Institute.
“My training is going really well at the moment, and I think that I am in the best shape and form that I have ever been in, which is a testament to the work that has come from the people around me and the people at Prime who have been supporting me so well,” a grateful Schoeman added.
With the high class facilities that Prime offers, Schoeman knows that he will have all of needs catered for even if the frustration of an injury keeps him out of action.
“I had a tough year last year with injuries, and so, in 2015, I am hoping that I can overcome them and be able to race throughout the season with some important points up for grabs with the Olympics next year,” he mentioned.
Following a solid block of training over the festive season and a good win in the KZN Champs, Schoeman is confident about his chances going into the international triathlon season, and with some good form and good health he feels that he should be on his way to getting to the Olympics next year.
“The Olympics is my main goal for the season, and after quite a frustrating year last year I think that I am ready so long as I can get myself back into the top ten in the world again and accumulate as many points in the series as I can. If I can stay fit this season then I don’t see why I can’t achieve this goal, so I am excited for what is to come in 2015,” the Commonwealth Games team triathlon silver medallist explained.
