Local BMX quartet shine at African champs
The riders represented the country at the African Continental BMX Championships in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in November last year.
FOUR Queensburgh BMX Club members performed admirably at the recent African Continental BMX Championships in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Chris Axford (Hillcrest), Parker Mann (Hillcrest), Rylee van Heerden (Queensburgh) and Altus van Staden (Malvern) were selected to represent South Africa at the competition which saw BMX riders from across the continent gather.
For Rylee, the championships were a step closer to her goal of one day representing South Africa at the Olympic Games.
This was her fourth time representing the country at an international competition.
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“I was very pleased with my results. I won all my races at the African Continental BMX Championships and came away with a gold medal in the U12 category. Overall, it was a good experience, and the track was longer but fun to ride on. This was my second international competition this year after Scotland. I competed at the World BMX Championships in Glasgow where I came third.
“It is always an honour to represent your country at any event, and I feel you only get better the more you’re exposed to. My future goal is to be an Olympic champion. For me, BMX is the only sport I participate in so it’s my passion and focus outside of school,” she said.
Rylee added she would also like to see more young girls take up the sport.
Fellow Queensburgh BMX Club member, Parker (7), said he was proud of his teammates.
“They were all really amazing, and I’m proud of them. This was my first time representing South Africa, and while it was scary because the track had more berms, I still enjoyed the competition. I placed first in all my races and won a gold medal in the U8 category. I was so happy with my results and would love to go to the World Championships,” he said.
The seven-year-old said his approach to the sport is simple. “Your body is the engine for the bicycle, so only you can make it go faster.”
His fellow teammate, Altus, also medalled at the event, winning a bronze medal in the U10 category.
“It was also my first time representing South Africa, but I loved the experience and riding on a new track. I placed second in all my races, and in the final race, came third for a bronze medal. It was a valuable learning experience, and I hope to represent my country in the future again,” he said.
While Chris did not medal at the champs, he touched on the importance of international competitions.
“I sadly got eighth at the champs as I crashed on the third corner going for a move. Having said that, the continental championships were a great experience; seeing Zimbabwe for the first time was awesome, and they combined a few divisions for me which made racing more exciting.
Chris recently returned from the United States where he spent some time training.
“I was recently in Florida doing some practice and training, and I raced at the Grands, one of the venues in the USA. I feel competing at these competitions improves your race craft, and you’re able to see what skills you need to work on,” the 23-year-old said.
His next goal is to race at the next World Champs.
“I did not travel to World Champs this year as I broke my hand and shoulder two weeks before and was out for three months. To race at the worlds next year in South Carolina would be my goal, and I’m already working towards that goal,” he said.
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