Biggs to dash to the world champs
Local rising star, Asher (Ash the Dash) Biggs has been selected to represent South Africa at the UIPM Biathle/Triathle World Championships that will be held at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida in the United States.
The 17-year-old competed in the South African Biathle Championships in Bela-Bela this past weekend.
Asher won a silver medal in the boys 17-18 category in a time of 13:42, only 19 seconds behind the winner, Mathhew Greer.
Also read: Local athlete invited to SA bi’s and tri’s
During the awards function the team that will represent South Africa in October was announced.
The Curro Nelspruit pupil only started participating in triathlons and duathlons 18 months ago.
Last year he came second at the SA Duathlon Championships in Bloemfontein.
This year he competed in three SA championship events and podiumed in them all.
Earlier this year in March he took part in the SA Triathlon, where he won a bronze medal.
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Two weeks later he won another bronze in the biathlon champs. A total of 47 athletes took part in the race with Biggs winning the 2 000-metre run in a time of 5:58.
“Asher trains six to seven mornings a week – swimming, cycle or run. He then trains again in the afternoon. This is very well-deserved and we as parents are very proud of our son and the fact that he also has learned to show good sportsmanship,” said his mother Melisa Biggs.
He has his sights set high, and dreams of competing overseas as well as in the Olympics.
“All his dedication and diligence paid off. We stand amazed. He lives for training and loathes to take rest days, which are forced on him,” said Melisa with a smile.
Asher also won the seventh Mpumalanga Cross Country League for boys u/17 that took place at Hoërskool Barberton just two weeks ago.
He finished the six-kilometre course in a time of 19:57, almost three minutes ahead of the second-place athlete.
Also read: Curro athlete excel
