Musgrave lass needs a boost to get her to Biathle champs

MUSGRAVE’S biathle champ, Lushano Smit has been selected to represent South Africa in the UIPM Modern Biathle World Champs in Florida, USA next month.

The young athletic star says she is honoured to be selected to represent the country and hopes to improve on her current times and earn a podium finish. She has trained hard with her running coaches, Mikey Schroeder and Vic Vaz at Fast Feet Running Club at the Prime High Performance Centre and trains solo for swimming. “I’ve made the qualifying times and am honoured to be selected and hope to beat my personal best which I set at the SA Champs, ” she said.

While Biathle may not be a an Olypmic sport as yet,S mit hopes to one day represent South Africa at the Olympics. “I’m so inspired by our local athletes Henri Schoeman who trains with us at the Centre. I have thought about entering triathlons as cycling is part of my training programme. It’s different but something I might look into,” she added.

Smit has always been a runner and swimmer. She was in Grade 2 when she learned to swim but only started serious training when her potential was noticed in high school.

Biathle is a multi discipline sport that is a combination of a 1600m run, 200m swim and another 1600m run. The 22-year-old former Durban Girls College pupil has started coaching part time at her school, but needs to raise the necessary funds to get to the world champs she has been selected for. The cost of the trip is approximately R30 000. “I would appreciate any assistance with contributing donations or sponsorship if possible,” she said.

Lushano previously represented the country in Guatemala, Central America where she was crowned Junior World Champion in 2014. She hopes to compete in the senior category this year. She recently completed her BA degree in Corporate Communications.

Anyone who would like to assist can email: lushano@ymail.com