World Champs beckon for dedicated Cayde de Waal
Brakpan resident and athlete, Cayde de Waal is currently ranked as the top biathle and triathle athlete in his age category in Gauteng.
The South African Modern Pentathlon Association (SAMPA) recently announced the official biathle and triathle teams that will represent South Africa at the 2017 World Championships in Viverio, Spain from September 20 to 24.
Brakpan resident and athlete, Cayde de Waal has been selected to represent South Africa at the championships after delivering world class results at the recent South African Championships held in George last month.
The biathle event is a derivative of modern pentathlon where competitors race in a continuous run-swim-run event with distances varying depending on age groups.
De Waal clinched a bronze medal at the SA Champs, being the only Gauteng athlete on the podium for his event (boys u-15).
The sport of triathle is also a derivative of modern pentathlon involving a continuous shoot-run-swim event with distances varying depending on age.
Athletes shoot at electronic targets with laser pistols in the shooting discipline.
De Waal moved up the podium in this event at the SA Champs and secured a silver medal and another spot in the elite SAMPA team.
He is currently ranked as the top biathle and triathle athlete in his age category in Gauteng.
The Grade Eight learner at Hoërskool Oosterlig in Boksburg loves all sport but particularly the combination of running and swimming required for these events.
Balancing sports, training and academics requires discipline.
He said: “I listen in class and when I get home I knuckle down and get my homework finished so I can get out and train.
I definitely feel that being busy with sport helps me with my academics.”
Chairman of the Gauteng Modern Pentathlon committee, Graham Burnett is extremely proud of all Gauteng’s athletes who made the elite SAMPA team.
“The sport takes hours of training and commitment from both the athletes and their parents.
“We were strong at the SA Championships this year and took a record number of medals and qualifications into World Champs.
“The sport is booming and we are expecting a huge influx into the sport in the new season, starting in October.
“Having De Waal as an ambassador for us will no doubt encourage more participation and enable us to fly our national flag around the world.”
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