EVERYDAY 12-year-old Tegan Gore goes through a familiar routine. She either dons her goggles or puts on her bicycle helmet or laces up her sneakers. The uMhlanga triathlete who recently took top honours at the Splash and Dash Swim/Run duathlon at Midmar Dam is currently training for the KZN junior triathlon champs, which takes place later this month.

The Grade 6 Atholton Primary School pupil said one of her major inspirations was her dad, multiple SA Triathlon champion, Glen Gore. “I’d go to all my dad’s races and watched him compete and it made me want to emulate his success on the field. He introduced me to the sport and the bug bit immediately. You have to be committed and determined in the sport and you have to want to win,” she explained.

Tegan added she was “nervously excited” but “undaunted” as the KZN junior champs draws closer. “This is my first KZN champs and my goal for this year is to get my colours and make the North proud. I challenge people to not only dream but to dream big! My dream is to represent South Africa at the summer Olympics,” she said.