Ballito’s Saskya Kistnasami (13) set a national record on her way to a gold medal at the recent South African Biathlon Championships.

The Our Lady of Fatima Grade 8 pupil took on 54 other athletes in the U15 division in Oudtshoorn on March 22, showing her competitors a clean pair of heels.

Biathlon is the combination of a middle distance 800m run and 100m swim for athletes in Saskya’s age group. She kicked off the event with a personal best of 2:22:25 in the run, following it up with a 1:01:25 in the swim (long course). She earned South African colours for her efforts.

Saskya has an impressive record in the sport, having previously set the U13 national record and claiming multiple provincial and national medals.

That dedication inspired her younger sister, Sarvani (7), to also take up the mantle and she made a fantastic national debut in Oudtshoorn. Competing in the U9 division, which included a 400m run and 50m swim, Sarvani finished 11th and earned KwaZulu-Natal colours.

Saskya and Sarvani’s mother, Yogandree, said she was immensely proud of her daughters.

“Prenolin (their father) and I are thrilled and feel truly blessed to be part of this incredible journey with them. They are both incredibly active girls who are motivated, hardworking and just love life,” she said.

“We would also like to thank God, the entire community at Our Lady of Fatima, their swimming coaches at Ashton Swimming Academy – Luke Verwey, Mel Lawrence, Emily Visagie, and Charl Crous – along with Pilani Majola, Aristo Nolan and our friends and family. The support and encouragement we’ve received from so many people has meant the world to us.”

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