Gerrit Kroon, a grade four pupil of Curro Nelspruit, yesterday left for the US to represent the province at the National Biathle Championships in Florida.
“He feels privileged to represent our province and South Africa,” said his mother, Marita Kroon.
He qualified at three events held between February and March in a sport that was only introduced to the Lowveld this year.
Young swimmers put their pride on the line for clubs
Biathle is an international sport combining running and swimming.
These biathle competitions are organised both nationally and internationally.
Following the three events mentioned, Gerrit qualified for the Mpumalanga championships. During this, 33 athletes were selected to represent Mpumalanga at the South African National event held in Durban in June 2019.
Here he participated in the nail-biting u/11 boys’ race, and finished second overall with only a few seconds separating him and the winner.
His time was also within the 10 per cent of the 2018 u/11, World Championship winner’s time. He was therefore awarded his SA colours and the opportunity to participate in the 2019 Biathle World Championships, in Saint Petersburg, Florida.
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“Mpumalanga Modern Pentathlon Association would hereby like to congratulate Gerrit on his achievement, and wish him all the best for the world championship event. We are looking forward to the result that this young, upcoming athlete will produce,” said chairman, Frans Mentz.
According to his coach, Karlien van Heerden, he has trained hard and is focused for the race.
Mbombela met the selection criteria and will be hosting the Biathle and Triathle SA Championships in June 2020.
Athletes can contact Magdel Terblanche at nspbiathle@gmail.com should they wish to take part in the sport.
