Local athlete on his way to Mexico for world champs

In July, Nortje participated in various Junior European Cups as part of the Triathlon South Africa (TSA) junior squad. These included Holten (Holland), Tiszaújváros (Hungary) and Riga (Latvia).

It was on the back of his results at these races that he was selected by TSA to represent his country in Mexico. Last year he raced in Versailles, France at the World Schools Championships. He has had some very good results this year, placing third in his age category at the South African Championships and fifth at Africa Champs.

Nortje has lived in White River since the age of two and went to Uplands Preparatory and Penryn College. His first triathlon was the Da Gama Off Road Triathlon at the age of 12 and he soon realised that this was a sport he really enjoyed.

Halfway through grade 11 at Penryn, he joined the High Performance Centre at the University of Pretoria.

“Having Karen Roberts, a two-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games silver medallist, as his coach has taken his racing to a new level. Having matriculated last year, he has dedicated this year to training and racing,” said his mother Bronwyn.

Also read: Mpumalanga’s own triathlon

It is his final year racing as a junior, as he will compete as an u/23 at the start of next season. This means not only racing against older and stronger athletes, but his race distance will also double. He has his sights firmly set on racing professionally and if his achievements to date are anything to go by, this dream will also be realised through his continued hard work and sacrifices.

“Dedicating my life to triathlon and not following the norm of going to study after school is something many people have frowned upon, but that is what it takes to be able to race at an elite level,” said Nortje.

To follow his daily training life and race highs and lows, follow him on twitter @DnNortje or like his Facebook page Dylan Nortje Triathlete.