Warner Beach triathlete wades into world champs
Triathlete and educator, Wade Botha (30) has been selected to compete in the World Triathlon Championships that will see him race off to Gold Coast, Australia this September.
WARNER Beach triathlete and educator, Wade Botha (30) has been selected to compete in the World Triathlon Championships that will see him race off to Gold Coast, Australia this September.
After winning gold in the sprint championship event of the South African Triathlon Championships held in Bloemfontein in March, he has been eagerly awaiting to hear if he had in fact qualified for worlds.
Since childhood, Wade aspired to one day represent his country, a dream that finally looks set to become a reality.
“This has taken me longer than I had hoped and it came with blood, sweat and even a few tears,” he admitted. “I’m so honoured to be toeing the start line with the best age group triathletes in the world.”
These world champs are the final stop of the ITU World Triathlon Series, which is the tour that the elite triathletes follow around the globe.
“Every year the grand final doubles up as the World Triathlon Champs for all national triathletes too. This year we are lucky enough to be racing on the Gold Coast in Australia. I’ve always wanted to travel to Australia, so this is a bonus,” said Wade.
The World Triathlon Champs runs from 12 to 16 September, with different races and distance on various days. Wade explained that he qualified to race in the standard distance (1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run), as well as the sprint distance (750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run).
“Unfortunately I already have commitments to judge at the ISA World Surfing Games in Japan, and need to be in Japan by 15 September, so although I qualified for both, I will only race the sprint distance on 13 September,” he said.
The athlete will journey to Australia on 7 September, to allow himself time to adjust to the time zone difference and jetlag before the arrival of the race day.
“I’m most excited to be racing in my national colours, representing South Africa on the world stage and also to be a part of the opening ceremony and parade of nations alongside the best triathletes from around the world,” explained Wade.
“For the time being I’m not too nervous but I’m sure that will come.
I am very excited to see what the level of triathlon is on a global scale compared to at home, and am just looking forward to taking in the experience that comes with it, as it will be my first time racing for SA. I hope to race a personal best in Australia.
Like most national team tours, this trip is self-funded, so it has been a bit of a challenge and a lot of discipline was needed to save as much as possible and cut back on ‘unnecessary’ spending.”
The triathlete feels confident about his preparation for worlds. “With about a month to go, it’s all about speed work and fine tuning to make sure I’m in the best shape possible come race day,” he said.
Watch Wade’s thrilling promo video:
https://www.facebook.com/wade.botha.7/videos/10156693709937664/
“There’s still a lot of time on the bike, road and in the pool, as well as some strength training still to come. I have my final prep race on 25 August at the Mandela Day Triathlon at Midmar Dam, which will give me a pretty good idea of what to expect from myself at worlds.”
Wade paid gratitude to his boss and principal of Warner Beach Preparatory, Kevin Maiden and colleagues for allowing him the time off to travel to Australia and Japan to both represent his country and follow his dream.
Wade is yet another local achieving and thereby doing his friends, family, hometown and country proud. He will be carried by the support and well-wishes of many.
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