Biggs hits podium on internasional stage
Local athlete of Curro Nelspruit, Asher Biggs made a memorable entry in the International Biathle-Triathle World Championship in Sarasota, Florida, USA.
Around 600 athletes from 25 countries participated in the high-profile championship which was contested in swimming, shooting and running events.
Leading up to the event, the 17-year-old was injured at the South African Cross Country event.
Also read: Biggs to dash to the world champs
Despite not being able to train like he used to, Kelly Ann Vroon and Biggs made up a formidable team in the mix-relay event as they brought back the gold medal. Biggs only had one rest day before he participated in the individual race where he placed fourth in the world out of 30 athletes.
Biggs competed in the South African Biathle Championships in Bela-Bela in June. He won a silver medal in the boys 17 to 18 category in a time of 13:42, only 19 seconds behind the winner, Mathhew Greer.
The team that will represent South Africa in the USA was announced at the awards function. With only five weeks to go, Biggs could only train three times a week on an antigravity treadmill, under strict instructions from his physiotherapist.
“Asher was very frustrated as he hates rest days. It is understandable, as this was his first time to represent his country at a world championships event,” his mother, Melisa, said.
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 championships and was placed third in each.
Earlier this year, in March, he took part in the SA Triathlon, where he won a bronze medal.
Also read: Local athlete invited to SA bi’s and tri’s
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.
“I am very grateful for the support of the sponsors who made this trip possible and, most of all, to Curro’s Executive Principal Paul Viljoen who was instrumental in making this trip happen,” Biggs said.
At Curro’s interhouse athletics meeting, Biggs was awarded the senior victor ludorum trophy, as he received gold medals in each of his six items.
